“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” – John 3:16.
“I and the Father are One .” – John 10:30.
” I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me.” – John 14:10.
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matt.16:16.
I. BIRTH AND BOYHOOD OF OUR LORD
1. PREFACE TO LUKE’S GOSPEL
( Luke 1: 1 – 4 )
Introduction
1 Since [as is well known] many have undertaken to compile an orderly account of the things which have been fulfilled among us [by God],
2 exactly as they were handed down to us by those [with personal experience] who from the beginning [of Christ’s ministry] were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word [that is, of the teaching concerning salvation through faith in Christ],
3 it seemed fitting for me as well, [and so I have decided] after having carefully searched out and investigated all the events accurately, from the very beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus;
4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught [that is, the history and doctrine of the faith].
2. ANGEL APPEARS TO ZACHARIAS
( Luke 1: 5 – 25 )
Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5 In the days of Herod [the Great], king of Judea, there was a certain priest whose name was Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron [the first high priest of Israel], and her name was Elizabeth.
6 They both were righteous (approved) in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
7 But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years.
8 Now it happened while Zacharias was serving as priest before God in the appointed order of his priestly division,
9 as was the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter [the sanctuary of] the temple of the Lord and burn incense [on the altar of incense].
10 And all the congregation was praying outside [in the court of the temple] at the hour of the incense offering.
11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
12 When Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled and overcome with fear.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.
14 You will have great joy and delight, and many will rejoice over his birth,
15 for he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord; and will never drink wine or liquor, and he will be filled with and empowered to act by the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb.
16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel back [from sin] to [love and serve] the Lord their God.
17 “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.”
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age.”
19 The angel replied and said to him, “I am Gabriel; I stand and minister in the [very] presence of God, and I have been sent [by Him] to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
20 “Listen carefully, you will be continually silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe what I told you; but my words will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
21 The people [outside in the court] were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering about his long delay in the temple.
22 But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute.
23 When his time of priestly service was finished, he returned to his home.
24 Now after this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she secluded herself completely, saying,
25 “This is how the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor on me, to take away my disgrace among men.”
3. ANGEL APPEARS TO MARY
( Luke 1: 26 – 38)
Jesus’ Birth Foretold
26 Now in the sixth month [of Elizabeth’s pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And coming to her, the angel said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
29 But she was greatly perplexed at what he said, and kept carefully considering what kind of greeting this was.
30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 Listen carefully: you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
32 He will be great and eminent and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin and have no intimacy with any man?”
35 Then the angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a cloud]; for that reason the holy (pure, sinless) Child shall be called the Son of God.
36 And listen, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.
37 “For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.
4. MARY VISITS ELIZABETH
( Luke 1: 39 – 56 )
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 Now at this time Mary arose and hurried to the hill country, to a city of Judah (Judea),
40 and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him.
42 And she exclaimed loudly, “Blessed [worthy to be praised] are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?
44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 “And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.”
The Magnificat
46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 “For He has looked [with loving care] on the humble state of His maidservant; For behold, from now on all generations will count me blessed and happy and favored by God!
49 “For He who is mighty has done great things for me; And holy is His name [to be worshiped in His purity, majesty, and glory].
50 “AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO [stand in great awe of God and] FEAR HIM.
51 “He has done mighty deeds with His [powerful] arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And exalted those who were humble.
53 “HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent the rich away empty-handed.
54 “He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,
55 Just as He promised to our fathers, To Abraham, and to his descendants forever.”
56 And Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned to her home.
5. BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
( Luke 1: 57 – 80 )
John Is Born
57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son.
58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown His great mercy toward her, and they were rejoicing with her.
59 It happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child [as required by the Law], and they intended to name him Zacharias, after his father;
60 but his mother answered, “No indeed; instead he will be called John.”
61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by that name.”
62 Then they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called.
63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished.
64 At once Zacharias’ mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began speaking, praising and blessing and thanking God.
65 Then fear came on all their neighbors; and all these things were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea.
66 All who heard these things kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this little boy turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him [to bring about his birth].
Zacharias’ Prophecy
67 Now Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him, and he prophesied, saying,
68 “Blessed (praised, glorified) be the Lord, the God of Israel, Because He has visited us and brought redemption to His people,
69 And He has raised up a horn of salvation [a mighty and valiant Savior] for us In the house of David His servant—
70 Just as He promised by the mouth of His holy prophets from the most ancient times—
71 Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US;
72 To show mercy [as He promised] to our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant [the promised blessing],
73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness [being set apart] and righteousness [being upright] before Him all our days.
76 “And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD (the Messiah) TO PREPARE HIS WAYS;
77 To give His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins,
78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise (the Messiah) from on high will dawn and visit us,
79 TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet [in a straight line] into the way of peace and serenity.”
80 The child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel [as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah].
6. ANGEL APPEARS UNTO JOSEPH
( Matt. 1: 18 – 25 )
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by [the power of] the Holy Spirit.
19 And Joseph her [promised] husband, being a just and righteous man and not wanting to expose her publicly to shame, planned to send her away and divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 “She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (The LORD is salvation), for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet [Isaiah]:
23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL”—which, when translated, means, “GOD WITH US.”
24 Then Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and he took Mary [to his home] as his wife,
25 but he kept her a virgin until she had given birth to a Son [her firstborn child]; and he named Him Jesus (The LORD is salvation).
7. THE BIRTH OF JESUS
( Luke 2: 1 – 7 )
Jesus’ Birth In Bethlehem
1 Now in those days a decree went out from [the emperor] Caesar Augustus, that all the inhabited world (the Roman Empire) should be registered [in a census].
2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And everyone went to register for the census, each to his own city.
4 So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 in order to register with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was with child.
6 While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth,
7 and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn.
8. ANGEL’S APPEARANCE TO THE SHEPHERDS
( Luke 2: 8 – 20 )
8 In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone around them, and they were terribly frightened.
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.
11 For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah).
12 “And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest [heaven], And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.”
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger.
17 And when they had seen this, they made known what had been told them about this Child,
18 and all who heard it were astounded and wondered at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
9. CIRCUMCISION AND PRESENTATION OF JESUS
( Luke 2: 21 – 40 )
Jesus Is Named – Jesus Presented at the Temple
21 at the end of eight days, when He was to be circumcised, He was named Jesus, the name given [to Him] by the angel [Gabriel] before He was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the time for their purification came [that is, the mother’s purification and the baby’s dedication] according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord [set apart as the Firstborn]
23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY [set apart and dedicated] TO THE LORD)”
24 and [they came also] to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord [to be appropriate for a family of modest means], “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”
According to Your word
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout [carefully observing the divine Law], and looking for the Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).
27 Prompted by the Spirit, he came into the temple [enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him the custom required by the Law,
28 Simeon took Him into his arms, and blessed and praised and thanked God, and said,
29 “Now, Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to leave [this world] in peace, According to Your word;
30 for my eyes have seen Your Salvation,
31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 A LIGHT FOR REVELATION TO THE GENTILES [to disclose what was previously unknown], And [to bring] the praise and honor and glory of Your people Israel.”
33 And His [legal] father and His mother were amazed at what was said about Him.
34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is to be opposed—
35 and a sword [of deep sorrow] will pierce through your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, and had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage,
37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the [area of the] temple, but was serving and worshiping night and day with fastings and prayers.
38 She, too, came up at that very moment and began praising and giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all who were looking for the redemption and deliverance of Jerusalem.
Return to Nazareth
39 And when they had done everything [in connection with Jesus’ birth] according to the Law of the Lord, they went back to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40 And the Child continued to grow and become strong [in spirit], filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor, spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him.
10. THE WISE MEN
( Matt. 2: 1 – 12 )
The Visit Of The Magi
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king (Herod the Great), magi (wise men) from the east came to Jerusalem, asking,
2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 So he called together all the chief priests and scribes of the people and [anxiously] asked them where the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) was to be born.
5 They replied to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what has been written by the prophet [Micah]:
6 ‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, IN THE LAND OF JUDAH, ARE NOT IN ANY WAY LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR FROM YOU SHALL COME A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”
7 Then Herod secretly sent for the magi and learned from them the [exact] time the star [had first] appeared.
8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”
9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them [continually leading the way] until it came and stood over the place where the young Child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11 And after entering the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, after opening their treasure chests, they presented to Him gifts [fit for a king, gifts] of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And having been warned [by God] in a dream not to go back to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
11. FLIGHT TO EGYPT
( Matt. 2: 13 – 23 )
The Flight to Egypt
13 Now when they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod intends to search for the Child in order to destroy Him.”
14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.
15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet [Hosea]: “OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON.”
Herod Slaughters the Babies
16 Then Herod, when he realized that he had been tricked by the magi, was extremely angry, and he sent [soldiers] and put to death all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that area who were two years old and under, according to the date which he had learned from the magi.
17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:
18 “A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH,
WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING,
RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN;
SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED,
BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE.”
The Return from Egypt
19 But when Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said,
20 “Get up! Take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.”
21 Then Joseph got up, and took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod [the Great], he was afraid to go there. Then being warned by God in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee,
23 and went and settled in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
12. JESUS GOES TO PASSOVER AT 12 YEARS
( Luke 2: 41 – 52 )
Visit to Jerusalem – The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover Feast.
42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the Feast;
43 and as they were returning [to Nazareth], after spending the required number of days [at the Feast], the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this,
44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and traveled a day’s journey; and [then] they began searching [anxiously] for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 When they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for Him [everywhere].
46 Three days later they found Him in the [court of the] temple, sitting among the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
47 All who heard Him were amazed by His intelligence and His understanding and His answers.
48 When they saw Him, they were overwhelmed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Listen, Your father and I have been [greatly distressed and] anxiously looking for You.”
49 And He answered, “Why did you have to look for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
50 But they did not understand what He had said to them.
51 He went down to Nazareth with them, and was continually submissive and obedient to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and men.
13. THE GENEALOGIES
( Matt. 1: 1 – 17 )
The Genealogy Of Jesus The Messiah
1 The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son (descendant) of David, the son (descendant) of Abraham:
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers [who became the twelve tribes of Israel].
3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.
4 Ram was the father of Aminadab, Aminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon.
5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse.
6 Jesse was the father of David the king.David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah.
7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa.
8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah.
9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah.
11 Josiah became the father of Jeconiah [also called Coniah and Jehoiachin] and his brothers, at the time of the deportation (exile) to Babylon.
12 After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel.
13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor.
14 Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud.
15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob.
16 Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah (Christ).
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen; from David to the Babylonian deportation (exile), fourteen generations; and from the Babylonian deportation to the Messiah, fourteen generations.
Genealogy of Jesus ( Luke 3: 23 – 38 )
23 When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son [by marriage] of Eli,
24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Hesli, the son of Naggai,
26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda,
27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,
28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,
29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,
30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,
31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Heber, the son of Shelah,
36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,
38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
II. INTRODUCTION OF OUR LORD’S MINISTRY
14. MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
( Luke 3: 1 – 18 )
John The Baptist Preaches
1 Now in the fifteenth year of [Emperor] Tiberius Caesar’s reign—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod [Antipas] was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene—
2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas [his son-in-law], the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
3 And he went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin;
4 as it is written and forever remains written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “THE VOICE OF ONE SHOUTING IN THE WILDERNESS,
‘PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD,
MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.
5 ‘EVERY RAVINE SHALL BE FILLED UP,
AND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL SHALL BE LEVELED;
AND THE CROOKED [places] SHALL BE MADE STRAIGHT,
AND THE ROUGH ROADS SMOOTH;
6 AND ALL MANKIND SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.’”
7 So he began saying to the crowds who were coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath [of God that is] to come?
8 Therefore produce fruit that is worthy of [and consistent with your] repentance [that is, live changed lives, turn from sin and seek God and His righteousness]. And do not even begin to say to yourselves [as a defense], ‘We have Abraham for our father [and so our heritage assures us of salvation]’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (descendants) for Abraham [for God can replace the unrepentant, regardless of their heritage, with those who are obedient].
9 “Even now the axe [of God’s judgment] is swinging toward the root of the trees; so every tree that does not produce good fruit is being cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 The crowds asked him, “Then what are we to do?”
11 And John replied, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do the same.”
12 Even some tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked, “Teacher, what are we to do?”
13 And he told them, “Collect no more than the fixed amount you have been ordered to [collect].”
14 Some soldiers asked him, “And what about us, what are we to do?” And he replied to them, “Do not extort money from anyone or harass or blackmail anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
15 Now the people were in a state of expectation, and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).
16 John answered them all by saying, “As for me, I baptize you [only] with water; but One who is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I is coming, and I am not fit to untie the strap of His sandals [even as His slave]. He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] with fire.
17 “His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom); but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.”
18 So with many other appeals and various admonitions John preached the good news (gospel) to the people.
15. BAPTISM OF JESUS
( Matt. 3: 13 – 17 )
The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan [River], to be baptized by him.
14 But John tried to prevent Him [vigorously protesting], saying, “It is I who need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
15 But Jesus replied to him, “Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John permitted [it and baptized] Him.
16 After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus),
17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased and delighted!”
16. THE TEMPTATION
( Matt. 4: 1 – 11 )
The Devil Tempts Jesus
1 Then Jesus was led by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 After He had gone without food for forty days and forty nights, He became hungry.
3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT COMES OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”
5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city [Jerusalem] and placed Him on the pinnacle (highest point) of the temple.
6 And he said [mockingly] to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU [to serve, care for, protect and watch over You]’;and ‘THEY WILL LIFT YOU UP ON THEIR HANDS,
SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written and forever remains written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT TEST THE LORD YOUR GOD.’”
8 Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory [splendor, magnificence, and excellence] of them;
9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written and forever remains written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”
11 Then the devil left Him; and angels came and ministered to Him [bringing Him food and serving Him].
17. PREFACE TO JOHN’S GOSPEL
( John 1: 1 – 18 )
The Deity Of Jesus Christ
1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.
2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God.
3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being.
4 In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men.
5 The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].
The Witness of John the Baptist
6 There came a man commissioned and sent from God, whose name was John.
7 This man came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe [in Christ, the Light] through him.
8 John was not the Light, but came to testify about the Light.
9 There it was—the true Light [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone.
10 He (Christ) was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.
11 He came to that which was His own [that which belonged to Him—His world, His creation, His possession], and those who were His own [people—the Jewish nation] did not receive and welcome Him.
12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—
13 who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].
The Word Made Flesh
14 And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception).
15 John testified [repeatedly] about Him and has cried out [testifying officially for the record, with validity and relevance], “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I and has priority over me, for He existed before me.’”
16 For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift].
17 For the Law was given through Moses, but grace [the unearned, undeserved favor of God] and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God [His essence, His divine nature] at any time; the [One and] only begotten God [that is, the unique Son] who is in the intimate presence of the Father, He has explained Him [and interpreted and revealed the awesome wonder of the Father].
18. THE BAPTIST’S TESTIMONY TO JESUS
( John 1: 19 – 34 )
The Testimony of John
19 This is the testimony of John [the Baptist] when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
20 And he confessed [truthfully] and did not deny [that he was only a man], but acknowledged, “I am not the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)!”
21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the [promised] Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”
22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 He said, “I am THE VOICE OF ONE SHOUTING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.
25 They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 John answered them, “I baptize [only] in water, but among you there stands One whom you do not recognize and of whom you know nothing.
27 “It is He [the preeminent One] who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie [even as His slave].”
28 These things occurred in Bethany across the Jordan [at the Jordan River crossing], where John was baptizing.
The Lamb of God
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I and has priority over me, for He existed before me.’
31 “I did not recognize Him [as the Messiah]; but I came baptizing in water so that He would be [publicly] revealed to Israel.”
32 John gave [further] evidence [testifying officially for the record, with validity and relevance], saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.
33 I did not recognize Him [as the Messiah], but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this One is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
34 “I myself have [actually] seen [that happen], and my testimony is that this is the son of God. “
19. JESUS GAINS DISCIPLES
(John 1: 35 – 51)
Jesus’ first followers
35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples,
36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked along, and said, “Look! The Lamb of God!”
37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.
38 And Jesus turned and saw them following Him, and asked them, “What do you want?” They answered Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?”
39 He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went [with Him] and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
40 One of the two who heard what John said and [as a result] followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
41 He first looked for and found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means the Christ).
42 Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas (which is translated Peter).”
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
43 The next day Jesus decided to go into Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me [as My disciple, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher, and walking the same path of life that I walk].”
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote about—Jesus from Nazareth, the son of Joseph [according to public record].”
46 Nathanael answered him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip replied, “Come and see.”
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Here is an Israelite indeed [a true descendant of Jacob], in whom there is no guile nor deceit nor duplicity!”
48 Nathanael said to Jesus, “How do You know [these things about] me?” Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, when you were still under the fig tree, I saw you.”
49 Nathanael answered, “Rabbi (Teacher), You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”
50 Jesus replied, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe [in Me]? You will see greater things than this.”
51 Then He said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man [the bridge between heaven and earth].”
20. THE MARRIAGE AT CANA
( John 2: 1 – 12 )
Miracle At Cana
1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;
2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
3 When the wine was all gone, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no more wine.”
4 Jesus said to her, “[Dear] woman, what is that to you and to Me? My time [to act and to be revealed] has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
6 Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification (ceremonial washing), containing twenty or thirty gallons each.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim.
8 Then He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter [of the banquet].” So they took it to him.
9 And when the headwaiter tasted the water which had turned into wine, not knowing where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew) he called the bridegroom,
10 and said to him, “Everyone else serves his best wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then he serves that which is not so good; but you have kept back the good wine until now.”
11 This, the first of His signs (attesting miracles), Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed His glory [displaying His deity and His great power openly], and His disciples believed [confidently] in Him [as the Messiah—they adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him].
12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He and His mother and brothers and His disciples; and they stayed there a few days.
III FIRST PASSOVER TO SECOND PASSOVER
21. CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE
( John 2: 13 – 25 )
First Passover—Cleansing the Temple
13 Now the Passover of the Jews was approaching, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14 And in the temple [enclosure] He found the people who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting at their tables.
15 He made a whip of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables;
16 then to those who sold the doves He said, “Take these things away! Stop making My Father’s house a place of commerce!”
17 His disciples remembered that it is written [in the Scriptures], “ZEAL (love, concern) FOR YOUR HOUSE [and its honor] WILL CONSUME ME.”
18 Then the Jews retorted, “What sign (attesting miracle) can You show us as [proof of] your authority for doing these things?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20 Then the Jews replied, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and You will raise it up in three days?”
21 But He was speaking of the temple which was His body.
22 So when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered what He had said. And they believed and trusted in and relied on the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
Jesus’ Knowledge of Human Nature
23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in His name [identifying themselves with Him] after seeing His signs (attesting miracles) which He was doing.
24 But Jesus, for His part, did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people [and understood the superficiality and fickleness of human nature],
25 and He did not need anyone to testify concerning man [and human nature], for He Himself knew what was in man [in their hearts—in the very core of their being].
22. DISCOURSE WITH NICODEMUS
( John 3: 1 – 21 )
The New Birth
1 Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (member of the Sanhedrin) among the Jews,
2 who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi (Teacher), we know [without any doubt] that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs [these wonders, these attesting miracles] that You do unless God is with him.”
3 Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?”
5 Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh [the physical is merely physical], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not be surprised that I have told you, ‘You must be born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].’
8 “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be possible?”
10 Jesus replied, “You are the [great and well-known] teacher of Israel, and yet you do not know nor understand these things [from Scripture]?
11 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, we speak only of what we [absolutely] know and testify about what we have [actually] seen [as eyewitnesses]; and [still] you [reject our evidence and] do not accept our testimony.
12 If I told you earthly things [that is, things that happen right here on earth] and you do not believe, how will you believe and trust Me if I tell you heavenly things?
13 No one has gone up into heaven, but there is One who came down from heaven, the Son of Man [Himself—whose home is in heaven].
14 Just as Moses lifted up the [bronze] serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross],
15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life [after physical death, and will actually live forever].
16 “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him.
18 Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him].
19 This is the judgment [that is, the cause for indictment, the test by which people are judged, the basis for the sentence]: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
20 For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned.
21 “But whoever practices truth [and does what is right—morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him].”
23. JESUS BAPTIZING IN JUDEA
(John 3: 22 – 36)
John’s Last Testimony
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples went into the land of Judea, and there He spent time with them and baptized.
23 Now John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there; and people were coming and were being baptized—
24 for John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Therefore there arose a controversy between John’s disciples and a Jew in regard to purification (ceremonial washing).
26 they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi (Teacher), the Man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan [at the Jordan River crossing]—and to whom you have testified—look, He is baptizing too, and everyone is going to Him!”
27 John replied, “A man can receive nothing [he can claim nothing at all] unless it has been granted to him from heaven [for there is no other source than the sovereign will of God].
28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I stated, ‘I am not the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ but, ‘I have [only] been sent ahead of Him [as His appointed forerunner and messenger to announce and proclaim His coming].’
29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens to him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this pleasure and joy of mine is now complete.
He Who Comes from Heaven
30 He must increase [in prominence], but I must decrease.
31 “He who comes from [heaven] above is above all others; he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks [about things] of the earth [his viewpoint and experience are earthly]. He who comes from heaven is above all.
32 What He has [actually] seen and heard, of that He testifies; and yet no one accepts His testimony [as true].
33 Whoever receives His testimony has set his seal [of approval] to this: God is true [and he knows that God cannot lie].
34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaiming the Father’s own message]; for God gives the [gift of the] Spirit without measure [generously and soundlessly]!
35 The Father loves the Son and has given and entrusted all things into His hand.
36 “He who believes and trusts in the Son and accepts Him [as Savior] has eternal life [that is, already possesses it]; but he who does not believe the Son and chooses to reject Him, [disobeying Him and denying Him as Savior] will not see [eternal] life, but [instead] the wrath of God hangs over him continually.”
24. JESUS DEPARTS INTO GALILEE
( John 4: 1 – 3 )
Jesus Goes To Galilee
1 So when the Lord learned that the Pharisees had been told that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John
2 (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were),
3 He left Judea and returned again to Galilee.
25. DISCOURSE WITH SAMARITAN WOMAN
( John 4: 4 – 42 )
The Samaritan Woman
4 Now He had to go through Samaria.
5 So He arrived at a Samaritan town called Sychar, near the tract of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph;
6 and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, tired as He was from His journey, sat down by the well. It was then about the sixth hour (noon).
7 Then a woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink”—
8 For His disciples had gone off into the city to buy food—
9 The Samaritan woman asked Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (For Jews have nothing to do with Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew [about] God’s gift [of eternal life], and who it is who says, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him [instead], and He would have given you living water (eternal life).”
11 She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with [no bucket and rope] and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?
12 “Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and who used to drink from it himself, and his sons and his cattle also?”
13 Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again.
14 “But whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. But the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water [satisfying his thirst for God] welling up [continually flowing, bubbling within him] to eternal life.”
15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not get thirsty nor [have to continually] come all the way here to draw.”
16 At this, Jesus said, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
17 The woman answered, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I do not have a husband’;
18 for you have had five husbands, and the man you are now living with is not your husband. You have said this truthfully.”
19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I see that You are a prophet.
20 “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one ought to worship is in Jerusalem [at the temple].”
21 Jesus replied, “Woman, believe Me, a time is coming [when God’s kingdom comes] when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
22 You [Samaritans] do not know what you worship; we [Jews] do know what we worship, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 But a time is coming and is already here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [from the heart, the inner self] and in truth; for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers.
24 “God is spirit [the Source of life, yet invisible to mankind], and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ—the Anointed); when that One comes, He will tell us everything [we need to know].”
26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you, am He (the Messiah).”
27 Just then His disciples came, and they were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. However, no one said, “What are You asking about?” or, “Why are You talking to her?”
28 Then the woman left her water jar, and went into the city and began telling the people,
29 “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done! Can this be the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)?”
30 So the people left the city and were coming to Him.
31 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus [to have a meal], saying, “Rabbi (Teacher), eat.”
32 But He told them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.”
33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him something to eat?”
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work.
35 Do you not say, ‘It is still four months until the harvest comes?’ Look, I say to you, raise your eyes and look at the fields and see, they are white for harvest.
36 Already the reaper is receiving his wages and he is gathering fruit for eternal life; so that he who plants and he who reaps may rejoice together.
37 For in this case the saying is true, ‘One [person] sows and another reaps.’
38 “I sent you to reap [a crop] for which you have not worked. Others have worked and you have been privileged to reap the results of their work.”
The Samaritans
39 Now many Samaritans from that city believed in Him and trusted Him [as Savior] because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.”
40 when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they asked Him to remain with them; and He stayed there two days.
41 Many more believed in Him [with a deep, abiding trust] because of His word [His personal message to them];
42 and they told the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; for [now] we have heard Him for ourselves and know [with confident assurance] that this One is truly the Savior of [all] the world.”
26. JESUS TEACHES PUBLICLY IN GALILEE
( Matt. 4: 12 – 17 )
Jesus Begins His Ministry – Jesus’ Public Ministry
12 Now when Jesus heard that John [the Baptist] had been arrested and put in prison, He left for Galilee.
13 And leaving Nazareth, He went and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the country of Zebulun and Naphtali.
14 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
15 “THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI,
BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE [in the district] OF THE GENTILES—
16 “THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING (living) IN [spiritual] DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT,
AND FOR THOSE WHO WERE SITTING (living) IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF [spiritual and moral] DEATH,
UPON THEM A LIGHT HAS DAWNED.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
27. HEALING OF NOBLEMAN’S SON
( John 4: 46 – 54 )
Healing a Nobleman’s Son
46 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son was sick in Capernaum.
47 Having heard that Jesus had come back from Judea to Galilee, he went to meet Him and began asking Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.
48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you [people] see [miraculous] signs and wonders, you [simply] will not believe.”
49 The royal official pleaded with Him, “Sir, do come down [at once] before my child dies!”
50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son lives!” The man believed what Jesus said to him and started home.
51 As he was already going down [the road], his servants met him and reported that his son was living [and was healthy].
52 So he asked them at what time he began to get better. They said, “Yesterday during the seventh hour the fever left him.”
53 Then the father realized that it was at that very hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son lives”; and he and his entire household believed and confidently trusted [in Him as Savior].
54 This is the second sign (attesting miracle) that Jesus performed [in Cana] after He had come from Judea to Galilee [revealing that He is the Messiah].
28. REJECTION AT NAZARETH
( Luke 4: 16 – 30 )
Jesus is Rejected at Nazareth
16 He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.
17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
18 “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME (the Messiah),
BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO ANNOUNCE RELEASE (pardon, forgiveness) TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy),
19 TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].”
20 Then He rolled up the scroll [having stopped in the middle of the verse], gave it back to the attendant and sat down [to teach]; and the eyes of all those in the synagogue were [attentively] fixed on Him.
21 He began speaking to them: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence.”
22 And [as He continued on] they all were speaking well of Him, and were in awe and were wondering about the words of grace which were coming from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
23 So He said to them, “You will no doubt quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal Yourself! Whatever [miracles] that we heard were done [by You] in Capernaum, do here in Your hometown as well.”
24 Then He said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown.
25 But in truth I say to you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was closed up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land;
26 and yet Elijah was not sent [by the Lord] to a single one of them, but only to Zarephath in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
27 “And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and not one of them was cleansed [by being healed] except Naaman the Syrian.”
28 they heard these things [about God’s grace to these two Gentiles], the people in the synagogue were filled with a great rage;
29 and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the crest of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to hurl Him down the cliff.
30 But passing [miraculously] through the crowd, He went on His way.
29. MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES
( Luke 4: 31, 5: 1 – 11 )
31 Then He came down [from the hills of Nazareth] to Capernaum, a city of Galilee [on the shore of the sea].
1 Now it happened that while Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee), with the people crowding all around Him and listening to the word of God;
2 that He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake, but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets.
3 He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little distance from the shore. And He sat down and began teaching the crowds from the boat.
4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon [Peter], “Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch [of fish].”
5 Simon replied, “Master, we worked hard all night [to the point of exhaustion] and caught nothing [in our nets], but at Your word I will [do as you say and] lower the nets [again].”
6 When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets were [at the point of] breaking;
7 so they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats [with fish], so that they began to sink.
8 But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
9 For he and all his companions were completely astounded at the catch of fish which they had taken;
10 and so were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon [Peter]. Jesus said to Simon, “Have no fear; from now on you will be catching men!”
11 After they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.
Jesus Calls Four Fishermen
( Matt. 4: 18 – 22 )
18 As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He noticed two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea;
19 And He said to them, “Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.”
20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].
21 And going on [further] from there He noticed two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them [to follow Him as His disciples].
22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].
30. DEMONIAC HEALED IN SYNAGOGUE
( Luke 4: 31 – 37 )
A Man with an Evil Spirit
31 He was teaching them on the Sabbath;
32 and they were surprised [almost overwhelmed] at His teaching, because His message was [given] with authority and power and great ability.
33 There was a man in the synagogue who was possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud and terrible voice,
34 “Let us alone! What business do we have [in common] with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent (muzzled, gagged) and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown the man down among them, he came out of him without injuring him in any way.
36 They were all astonished and in awe, and began saying to one another, “What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out!”
37 And the news about Him spread into every place in the surrounding district (Galilee).
31. PETER’S WIFE’S MOTHER HEALED
(Mark 1: 29 – 34)
29 And immediately they left the synagogue and went into the house of Simon [Peter] and Andrew, accompanied by James and John.
30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they told Him about her.
31 Jesus went to her, and taking her by the hand, raised her up; and the fever left her, and she began to serve them [as her guests].
Healing the Crowds
32 Now when evening came, after the sun had set [and the Sabbath Day had ended, in a steady stream] they were bringing to Him all who were sick and those who were under the power of demons,
33 until the whole city had gathered together at the door.
34 And Jesus healed many who were suffering with various diseases; and He drove out many demons, but would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him [recognizing Him as the Son of God].
32. TOUR THROUGHOUT GALILEE
( Mark 1: 35 – 39 )
35 Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left [the house], and went out to a secluded place, and was praying there.
36 Simon [Peter] and his companions searched [everywhere, looking anxiously] for Him,
37 And they found Him and said, “Everybody is looking for You!”
38 He replied, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so I may preach there also; that is why I came [from the Father].”
39 So He went throughout Galilee, preaching [the gospel] in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Ministry in Galilee – Jesus Teaches, Preaches, and Heals
( Matt. 4: 23 – 25 )
23 And He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people [demonstrating and revealing that He was indeed the promised Messiah].
24 So the news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were sick, those suffering with various diseases and pains, those under the power of demons, and epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.
25 Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and the other side of the Jordan.
33. LEPER HEALED
( Mark 1: 40 – 45 )
Jesus Heals a Man
40 And a leper came to Him, begging Him and falling on his knees before Him, saying, “If You are willing, You are able to make me clean.”
41 Moved with compassion [for his suffering], Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
42 The leprosy left him immediately and he was cleansed [completely healed and restored to health].
43 And Jesus [deeply moved] admonished him sternly and sent him away immediately,
44 saying to him, “See that you tell no one anything [about this]; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your purification what Moses commanded, as proof to them [that you are really healed].”
45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news [of his healing], to such an extent that Jesus could no longer openly enter a city [where He was known], but stayed out in the unpopulated places; yet people were still coming to Him from everywhere.
34. PARALYTIC HEALED
( Mark 2: 1 – 12 )
Jesus Heals a Paralysed Man
1 Jesus returned to Capernaum, and a few days later the news went out that He was at home.
2 So many people gathered together that there was no longer room [for them], not even near the door; and Jesus was discussing with them the word [of God].
3 Then they came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, who was being carried by four men.
4 When they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had dug out an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying.
5 When Jesus saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 But some of the scribes were sitting there debating in their hearts [the implication of what He had said],
7 “Why does this man talk that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins [remove guilt, nullify sin’s penalty, and assign righteousness] except God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus, being fully aware [of their hostility] and knowing in His spirit that they were thinking this, said to them, “Why are you debating and arguing about these things in your hearts?
9 Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your mat and walk’?
10 “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has the authority and power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralyzed man,
11 “I say to you, get up, pick up your mat and go home.”
12 And he got up and immediately picked up the mat and went out before them all, so that they all were astonished and they glorified and praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
35. CALL OF MATTHEW
( Mark 2: 13 – 14 )
Jesus Calls Matthew (Levi)
13 Jesus went out again along the [Galilean] seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them.
14 As He was passing by, He saw Levi (Matthew) the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax collector’s booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me [as My disciple, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk].” And he got up and followed Him [becoming His disciple, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].
36. LEVI’S FEAST
( Luke 5: 29 – 39 )
29 Levi (Matthew) gave a great banquet for Him at his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining at the table with them.
30 The Pharisees and their scribes [seeing those with whom He was associating] began murmuring in discontent to His disciples, asking, “Why are you eating and drinking with the tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews]?”
31 And Jesus replied to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but [only] those who are sick.
32 “I did not come to call the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to repent], but sinners to repentance [to change their old way of thinking, to turn from sin and to seek God and His righteousness].”
The Question about Fasting
33 Then they said to Him, “The disciples of John [the Baptist] often practice fasting and offer prayers [of special petition], and so do the disciples of the Pharisees; but Yours eat and drink.”
34 Jesus said to them, “Can you make the wedding guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?
35 “But days [for mourning] will come when the bridegroom is [forcefully] taken away from them. They will fast in those days.”
36 He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old one; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.
37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new [fermenting] wine will [expand and] burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined.
38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.
39 “And no one, after drinking old wine, wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is fine.”
IV. FROM SECOND PASSOVER TO THIRD PASSOVER
37. THE POOL OF BETHESDA
( John 5: 1 – 47 )
The Healing At Bethesda
1 Later on there was a Jewish feast (festival), and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now in Jerusalem, near the Sheep Gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew (Jewish Aramaic) Bethesda, having five porticoes (alcoves, colonnades).
3 In these porticoes lay a great number of people who were sick, blind, lame, withered, [waiting for the stirring of the water;
4 for an angel of the Lord went down into the pool at appointed seasons and stirred up the water; the first one to go in after the water was stirred was healed of his disease.]
5 There was a certain man there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.
6 When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to get well?”
7 The invalid answered, “Sir, I have no one to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am coming [to get into it myself], someone else steps down ahead of me.”
8 Jesus said to him, “Get up; pick up your pallet and walk.”
9 Immediately the man was healed and recovered his strength, and picked up his pallet and walked.Now that day was the Sabbath.
10 So the Jews kept saying to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and you are not permitted to pick up your pallet [because it is unlawful].”
11 He answered them, “The Man who healed me and gave me back my strength was the One who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.’”
12 They asked him, “Who is the Man who told you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?”
13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away [unnoticed] since there was a crowd in that place.
14 Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”
15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
16 For this reason the Jews began to persecute Jesus continually because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.
17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now [He has never ceased working], and I too am working.”
Jesus’ Equality with God
18 This made the Jews more determined than ever to kill Him, for not only was He breaking the Sabbath [from their viewpoint], but He was also calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
19 Jesus answered them by saying, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself [of His own accord], unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever things the Father does, the Son [in His turn] also does in the same way.
20 For the Father dearly loves the Son and shows Him everything that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will be filled with wonder.
21 Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life [and allows them to live on], even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.
22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment [that is, the prerogative of judging] to the Son [placing it entirely into His hands],
23 so that all will give honor (reverence, homage) to the Son just as they give honor to the Father. [In fact] the one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who has sent Him.
24 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the person who hears My word [the one who heeds My message], and believes and trusts in Him who sent Me, has (possesses now) eternal life [that is, eternal life actually begins—the believer is transformed], and does not come into judgment and condemnation, but has passed [over] from death into life.
Two Resurrections
25 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a time is coming and is [here] now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will live.
26 For just as the Father has life in Himself [and is self-existent], even so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself [and be self-existent].
27 And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is a Son of Man [sinless humanity, qualifying Him to sit in judgment over mankind].
28 Do not be surprised at this; for a time is coming when all those who are in the tombs will hear His voice,
29 and they will come out—those who did good things [will come out] to a resurrection of [new] life, but those who did evil things [will come out] to a resurrection of judgment [that is, to be sentenced].
30 “I can do nothing on my own initiative or authority. Just as I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just (fair, righteous, unbiased), because I do not seek My own will, but only the will of Him who sent Me.
31 “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.
32 There is another [My Father] who testifies about Me, and I know [without any doubt] that His testimony on My behalf is true and valid.
Testimony of John
33 You have sent [an inquiry] to John [the Baptist] and he has testified [as an eyewitness] to the truth.
34 But the testimony I receive is not from man [a merely human witness]; but I say these things so that you may be saved [that is, have eternal life].
35 John was the lamp that kept on burning and shining [to show you the way], and you were willing for a while to rejoice in his light.
Testimony of Works
36 But the testimony which I have is far greater than the testimony of John; for the works that the Father has given Me to finish—the very same works [that is, the miracles and proofs of My deity] that I am [now] doing—testify about Me, [by providing evidence] that the Father has sent Me.
Testimony of the Father
37 And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form [His majesty and greatness—what He is like].
38 You do not have His word (Scripture) abiding in you [actually living in your hearts and minds], because you do not believe in Him whom He has sent.
Testimony of the Scripture
39 You search and keep on searching and examining the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and yet it is those [very Scriptures] that testify about Me;
40 and still you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.
41 I do not receive glory and approval from men;
42 but I know you and recognize that you do not have the love of God in yourselves.
43 I have come in My Father’s name and with His power, and you do not receive Me [because your minds are closed]; but if another comes in his own name and with no authority or power except his own, you will receive him and give your approval to an imposter.
44 How can you believe [in Me], when you [seek and] receive glory and approval from one another, and yet you do not seek the glory and approval which comes from the one and only God?
45 Do not think that I [am the One who] will accuse you before the Father. There [already] is one who accuses you: Moses, [the very one] in whom you have placed your hope [for salvation].
46 For if you believed and relied on [the Scriptures written by] Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me [personally].
47 “But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
38. DISCIPLES PLUCK EARS OF GRAIN
( Matt. 12: 1 – 8 )
Sabbath Questions – Jesus Is Lord Of The Sabbath
1 At that particular time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.
2 But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
3 He said to them, “Have you not read [in the Scriptures] what David did when he was hungry, he and those who accompanied him—
4 how he went into the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests only?
5 Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break [the sanctity of] the Sabbath and yet are innocent?
6 But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.
7 And if you had only known what this statement means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION [for those in distress], AND NOT [animal] SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
Lord of the Sabbath
8 “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
39. WHITHERED HAND HEALED ON SABBATH
( Matt. 12: 9 – 14 )
The Man with a Paralysed Hand
9 Leaving there, He went into their synagogue.
10 A man was there whose hand was withered. And they asked Jesus, “Is it lawful and permissible to heal on the Sabbath?”—they asked this so that they might accuse Him and bring charges into court.
11 But He said to them, “What man is there among you who, if he has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?
12 “How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful and permissible to do good on the Sabbath.”
13 Then He said to the man, “Reach out your hand!” The man reached out and it was restored, as normal and healthy as the other.
14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, discussing how they could destroy Him.
40. MULTITUDES AT SEA OF TIBERIAS
( Mark 3: 7 – 12 )
A Crowd by the Lake
7 Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples; and a large crowd from Galilee followed Him; and also people from Judea,
8 and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and [from the region] beyond the Jordan, and around Tyre and Sidon; a vast number of people came to Him because they were hearing about all [the things] that He was doing.
9 And He told His disciples to have a small boat stand ready for Him because of the many people, so that they would not crowd Him;
10 for He had healed many, and as a result all who had diseases pressed around Him to touch Him.
11 Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they fell down before Him and screamed out, “You are the Son of God!”
12 Jesus sternly warned them [again and again] not to tell who He was.
( Matt. 12: 17 – 21 )
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
18 “BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN;
MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL-PLEASED;
I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM,
AND HE WILL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE NATIONS.
19 “HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT LOUDLY;
NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.
20 “A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK,
AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT EXTINGUISH,
UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.
21 “AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES (all the nations of the world) WILL HOPE [with confidence].”
41. CHOOSING OF THE TWELVE
(Luke 6: 12 – 19)
The Twelve Are Chosen
12 Now at this time Jesus went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.
13 When day came, He called His disciples and selected twelve of them, whom He also named apostles (special messengers, personally chosen representatives):
14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and his brother Andrew; and [the brothers] James and John; and Philip, and Bartholomew [also called Nathanael];
15 and Matthew (Levi, the tax collector) and Thomas; and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot;
16 Judas [also called Thaddaeus] the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor [to the Lord].
Jesus teaches and heals
17 Then Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a large crowd of His disciples, and a vast multitude of people from all over Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon,
18 who had come to listen to Him and to be healed of their diseases. Even those who were troubled by unclean spirits (demons) were being healed.
19 All the people were trying to touch Him, because [healing] power was coming from Him and healing them all.
42. SERMON ON THE MOUNT
( Matt. 5:1 – 8:1 )
Matthew 5
The Sermon On The Mount; The Beatitudes
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him.
2 Then He began to teach them, saying,
True Happiness
3 “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
4 “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].
5 “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.
7 “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.
9 “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.
10 “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
11 “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me.
12 Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Disciples and the World
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are wet and slippery].
14 “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Teaching about the Law
17 “Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
18 For I assure you and most solemnly say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke [of the pen] will pass from the Law until all things [which it foreshadows] are accomplished.
19 So whoever breaks one of the least [important] of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least [important] in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them, he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness (uprightness, moral essence) is more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Personal Relationships
Teaching about Anger
21 “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MURDER,’ and ‘Whoever murders shall be guilty before the court.’
22 But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice against him shall be guilty before the court; and whoever speaks [contemptuously and insultingly] to his brother, ‘Raca (You empty-headed idiot)!’ shall be guilty before the supreme court (Sanhedrin); and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fiery hell.
23 So if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and while there you remember that your brother has something [such as a grievance or legitimate complaint] against you,
24 leave your offering there at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come and present your offering.
25 Come to terms quickly [at the earliest opportunity] with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way [to court], so that your opponent does not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you are thrown into prison.
26 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid the last cent.
Teaching about Adultery
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’;
28 but I say to you that everyone who [so much as] looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 your right eye makes you stumble and leads you to sin, tear it out and throw it away [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30 your right hand makes you stumble and leads you to sin, cut it off and throw it away [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Teaching about Divorce
31 “It has also been said, ‘WHOEVER DIVORCES HIS WIFE IS TO GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE’;
32 but I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on grounds of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who has been divorced commits adultery.
Teaching about Vows
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT YOU SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD [as a religious duty].’
34 But I say to you, do not make an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
35 or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING.
36 Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you are not able to make a single hair white or black.
37 But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one.
Teaching about Revenge
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH [punishment that fits the offense].’
39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise].
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also [for the Lord repays the offender].
41 And whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’
44 But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him].
46 For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?
47 And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that?
48 You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 6
Teaching about Charity
1 “Be [very] careful not to do your good deeds publicly, to be seen by men; otherwise you will have no reward [prepared and awaiting you] with your Father who is in heaven.
2 “So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you [to advertise it], as the hypocrites do [like actors acting out a role] in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.
3 But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy],
4 so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.
Teaching about Prayer
5 “Also, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray [publicly] standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.
6 But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
8 So do not be like them [praying as they do]; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come,Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment].
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.
Fasting, The True Treasure, Wealth (Mammon)
Teaching about Fasting
16 “And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.
17 But when you fast, put oil on your head [as you normally would to groom your hair] and wash your face
18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.
Riches in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal;
21 for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.
The Light of the Body
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive], your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts].
23 But if your eye is bad [spiritually blind], your whole body will be full of darkness [devoid of God’s precepts]. So if the [very] light inside you [your inner self, your heart, your conscience] is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness!
God and Possessions
24 “No one can serve two masters; for 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 God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].
25 “Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?
27 And who of you by worrying can add one hour to [the length of] his life?
28 And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing],
29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these.
30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
31 Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’
32 For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 7
Judging Others
1 “Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly].
2 For just as you [hypocritically] judge others [when you are sinful and unrepentant], so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure [used to pass out judgment], judgment will be measured to you.
3 Why do you look at the [insignificant] speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the [egregious] log that is in your own eye?
4 or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me get the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite (play-actor, pretender), first get the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give that which is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, for they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.
9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will [instead] give him a stone?
10 if he asks for a fish, will [instead] give him a snake?
11 you then, evil (sinful by nature) as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him.
The Golden Rule
12 “So then, in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets.
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it.
14 But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.
A Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?
17 Even so, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the unhealthy tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Therefore, by their fruit you will recognize them [as false prophets].
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’
23 And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME [you are banished from My presence], YOU WHO ACT WICKEDLY [disregarding My commands].’
The Two Foundations -A Secure Foundation
24 “So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock.
25 And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish (stupid) man who built his house on the sand.
27 “And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great and complete was its fall.”
The Authority of Jesus
28 When Jesus had finished [speaking] these words [on the mountain], the crowds were astonished and overwhelmed at His teaching;
29 for He was teaching them as one who had authority [to teach entirely of His own volition], and not as their scribes [who relied on others to confirm their authority].
Matthew 8
1 When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.
43. HEALING OF CENTURION’S SERVANT
(Luke 7: 1 – 10)
Jesus Heals A Centurion’s Slave
1 After He had finished all that He had to say in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.
2 Now a [Roman] centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and on the verge of death.
3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, asking Him to come and save the life of his slave.
4 When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly [to come], saying, “He is worthy for You to do this for him,
5 because he loves our nation and he built us our synagogue [at his own expense].”
6 And Jesus went with them. But when He was near the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof.
7 Therefore I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You. But just speak a word, and my slave will be healed.
8 “For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 Now when Jesus heard this, He was amazed at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith [as this man’s].”
10 When the messengers who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
44. RAISING OF THE WIDOW’S SON
( Luke 7: 11 – 17 )
Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son
11 Soon afterward Jesus went to a city called Nain [near Nazareth], and His disciples and a large crowd accompanied Him.
12 Now as He approached the city gate, a dead man was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her [in the funeral procession].
13 When the Lord saw her, He felt [great] compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.”
14 And He came up and touched the bier [on which the body rested], and the pallbearers stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise [from death]!”
15 The man who was dead sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16 Fear and profound awe gripped them all, and they began glorifying and honoring and praising God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited His people [to help and care for and provide for them]!”
17 This news about Him spread through all of Judea and in all the surrounding countryside.
45. THE BAPTIST’S DEPUTATION TO JESUS
( Luke 7: 18 – 35 )
A Delegation from John – John’s Questions
18 John’s disciples brought word to him [in prison] of all these things.
19 John called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the Expected One (the Messiah), or should we look for someone else?”
20 So the men came to Jesus and said, “John the Baptist sent us to You to ask, ‘Are You the Expected One (the Messiah), or should we look for someone else?’”
21 At that very hour Jesus healed many people of sicknesses and infirmities and evil spirits; and He gave [the gracious gift of] sight to many who were blind.
22 He replied to them, “Go and tell John about everything you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOOD NEWS (gospel) PREACHED TO THEM.
23 “Blessed [joyful, spiritually favored] is he who does not take offense at Me.”
Jesus’ Tribute to John
24 When John’s messengers left, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
25 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing [entirely unsuited for the harsh wilderness]? Those who wear splendid clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces!
26 But what did you [really] go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one far more [eminent and remarkable] than a prophet [who foretells the future].
27 This is the one of whom it is written [by the prophet Malachi], ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU,
WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’
28 “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater [in privilege] than he.”
29 All the people and the tax collectors who heard Jesus, acknowledged [the validity of] God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John.
30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers [who were experts in the Mosaic Law] annulled and set aside God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.
31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation [who set aside God’s plan], and what are they like?
32 They are like children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, and saying, ‘We played the flute for you [pretending to be at a wedding], and you did not dance; we sang a dirge [pretending to be at a funeral], and you did not weep [so nothing we did appealed to you].’
33 For John the Baptist has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’
34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a man who is a glutton and a [heavy] wine-drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews].’
35 “Yet wisdom is vindicated and shown to be right by all her children [by the lifestyle, moral character, and good deeds of her followers].”
46. “WOE” REFLECTIONS OF JESUS
( Matt. 11: 20 – 30 )
The Unrepenting Cities
20 Then He began to denounce [the people in] the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent [and change their hearts and lives].
21 “Woe (judgment is coming) to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon [cities of the Gentiles], they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes [their hearts would have been changed and they would have expressed sorrow for their sin and rebellion against God].
22 Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for [the pagan cities of] Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
23 And you, Capernaum, are you to be exalted to heaven [for your apathy and unresponsiveness]? You will descend to Hades (the realm of the dead); for if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 “But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”
Come to Me
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [I openly and joyfully acknowledge Your great wisdom], that You have hidden these things [these spiritual truths] from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants [to new believers, to those seeking God’s will and purpose].
26 Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
27 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Son except the Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son [deliberately] wills to reveal Him.
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST (renewal, blessed quiet) FOR YOUR SOULS.
30 “For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”
47. JESUS ANOINTED IN PHARISEE’S HOUSE
( Luke 7: 36 – 50 )
Jesus at the Home of Simon the Pharisee
36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and He went into the Pharisee’s house [in the region of Galilee] and reclined at the table.
37 Now there was a woman in the city who was [known as] a sinner; and when she found out that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume;
38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began wetting His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and [respectfully] kissed His feet [as an act signifying both affection and submission] and anointed them with the perfume.
39 Now when [Simon] the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this Man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him, that she is a [notorious] sinner [an outcast, devoted to sin].”
Parable of Two Debtors
40 Jesus, answering, said to the Pharisee, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Teacher, say it.”
41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors: one owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42 “When they had no means of repaying [the debts], he freely forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon answered, “The one, I take it, for whom he forgave more.” Jesus said to him, “You have decided correctly.”
44 Then turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house [but you failed to extend to Me the usual courtesies shown to a guest]; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair [demonstrating her love].
45 You gave Me no [welcoming] kiss, but from the moment I came in, she has not ceased to kiss My feet.
46 You did not [even] anoint My head with [ordinary] oil, but she has anointed My feet with [costly and rare] perfume.
47 “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began saying among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith [in Me] has saved you; go in peace [free from the distress experienced because of sin].”
48. SECOND CIRCUIT IN GALILEE
( Luke 8: 1 – 3 )
Ministering Women
1 Soon afterward, Jesus began going around from one city and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve [disciples] were with Him,
2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary, called Magdalene [from the city of Magdala in Galilee], from whom seven demons had come out,
3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means [as was the custom for a rabbi’s disciples].
49. HEALING OF A DEMONIAC
( Matt. 12: 22 – 37 )
The Pharisees Rebuked
22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man both spoke and saw.
23 All the people wondered in amazement, and said, “Could this be the Son of David (the Messiah)?”
24 But the Pharisees heard it and said, “This man casts out demons only by [the help of] Beelzebul (Satan) the prince of the demons.”
25 Knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom that is divided against itself is being laid waste; and no city or house divided against itself will [continue to] stand.
26 If Satan casts out Satan [that is, his demons], he has become divided against himself and disunited; how then will his kingdom stand?
27 If I cast out the demons by [the help of] Beelzebul (Satan), by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges.
28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you [before you expected it].
29 how can anyone go into a strong man’s house and steal his property unless he first overpowers and ties up the strong man? Then he will ransack and rob his house.
The Unpardonable Sin
30 He who is not with Me [once and for all on My side] is against Me; and he who does not [unequivocally] gather with Me scatters.
31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy [every evil, abusive, injurious speaking, or indignity against sacred things] will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit will not be forgiven.
32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit [by attributing the miracles done by Me to Satan] will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
Words Reveal Character – A Tree and Its Fruit
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is recognized and judged by its fruit.
34 You brood of vipers, how can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
35 The good man, from his [inner] good treasure, brings out good things; and the evil man, from his [inner] evil treasure, brings out evil things.
36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.
37 “For by your words [reflecting your spiritual condition] you will be justified and acquitted of the guilt of sin; and by your words [rejecting Me] you will be condemned and sentenced.”
50. SCRIBES AND PHARISEES SEEK A SIGN
( Matt. 12: 38 – 45 )
The Desire for Signs
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign (attesting miracle) from You [proving that You are what You claim to be].”
39 But He replied and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation [that is morally unfaithful to God] craves and demands a [miraculous] sign; but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah;
The Sign of Jonah
40 for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 The men of Nineveh will stand up [as witnesses] at the judgment against this generation, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now, something greater than Jonah is here.
42 The Queen of the South (Sheba) will stand up [as a witness] at the judgment against this generation, and will condemn it because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon; and now, something greater than Solomon is here.
The Return of the Evil Spirit
43 “Now when the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it roams through waterless (dry, arid) places in search of rest, but it does not find it.
44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it arrives, it finds the place unoccupied, swept, and put in order.
45 “Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and make their home there. And the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. So will it also be with this wicked generation.”
( Luke 11: 27 – 28 )
True Happiness
27 Now while Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed (happy, favored by God) is the womb that gave birth to You and the breasts at which You nursed!”
28 But He said, “On the contrary, blessed (happy, favored by God) are those who hear the word of God and continually observe it.”
51. TRUE DISCIPLES NEAREST RELATIVES
(Matt. 12: 46 – 50)
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
46 While He was still talking to the crowds, it happened that His mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to Him.
47 Someone said to Him, “Look! Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside asking to speak to You.”
48 But Jesus replied to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”
49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples [and all His other followers], He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!
50 “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven [by believing in Me, and following Me] is My brother and sister and mother.”
52. WOES AGAINST THE PHARISEES
( Luke 11: 37 – 54 )
Woes upon the Pharisees
37 Now after Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee asked Him to have lunch with him. He went in [the Pharisee’s home] and reclined at the table [without ceremonially washing His hands].
38 The Pharisee noticed this and was surprised that Jesus did not first ceremonially wash before the meal.
39 But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and plate [as required by tradition]; but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.
40 You foolish ones [acting without reflection or intelligence]! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?
41 But give that which is within as charity [that is, acts of mercy and compassion, not as a public display, but as an expression of your faithfulness to God], and then indeed all things are clean for you.
42 “But woe (judgment is coming) to you Pharisees, because you [self-righteously] tithe mint and rue and every [little] garden herb [tending to all the minutiae], and yet disregard and neglect justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done, without neglecting the others.
43 Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the best seats in the synagogues and to be respectfully greeted in the market places.
44 “Woe to you! For you are like graves which are unmarked, and people walk over them without being aware of it [and are ceremonially unclean].”
45 One of the lawyers [an expert in the Mosaic Law] answered Him, “Teacher, by saying this, You insult us too!”
46 But He said, “Woe to you lawyers as well, because you weigh men down with burdens [man-made rules, unreasonable requirements] which are hard to bear, and you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers [to lighten the load].
47 Woe to you! For you repair or build tombs for the prophets, and it was your fathers who killed them.
48 you are witnesses and approve the deeds of your fathers, because they [actually] killed them, and you repair or build their tombs.
49 For this reason also the wisdom of God said [in the Scriptures], ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will put to death and some they will persecute,
50 so that charges may be brought against this generation [holding them responsible] for the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world,
51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah [the priest], who was murdered between the altar and the house of God. Yes, I tell you, charges will be brought against this generation.’
52 “Woe to you lawyers, because you have taken away the key to knowledge (scriptural truth). You yourselves did not enter, and you held back those who were entering [by your flawed interpretation of God’s word and your man-made tradition].”
53 When He left there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile [toward Him] and to interrogate Him on many subjects,
54 plotting against Him to catch Him in something He might say.
53. DISCOURSE TO DISCIPLES AND MULTITUDE
(Luke 12: 1 – 21, 32 – 50, 54 – 56)
A Warning against Hypocrisy
1 In the meantime, after so many thousands of the people had gathered that they were stepping on one another, Jesus began speaking first of all to His disciples, “Be continually on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees [that is, their pervasive, corrupting influence and teaching], which is hypocrisy [producing self-righteousness].
2 But there is nothing [so carefully] concealed that it will not be revealed, nor so hidden that it will not be made known.
3 For that reason, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.
Whom to Fear
4 “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have nothing more that they can do.
5 But I will point out to you whom you should fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority and power to hurl [you] into hell; yes, I say to you, [stand in great awe of God and] fear Him!
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? Yet not one of them has [ever] been forgotten in the presence of God.
7 Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are far more valuable than many sparrows.
Confessing and Rejecting Christ
8 “I say to you, whoever declares openly and confesses Me before men [speaking freely of Me as his Lord], the Son of Man also will declare openly and confess him [as one of His own] before the angels of God.
9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God.
10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit [that is, whoever intentionally discredits the Holy Spirit by attributing the authenticating miracles done by Me to Satan], it will not be forgiven him [for him there is no forgiveness].
11 When they bring you before the synagogues and the magistrates and the authorities, do not be worried about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say;
12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
Covetousness Denounced – The Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Someone from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”
14 But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or an arbitrator over [the two of] you?”
15 Then He said to them, “Watch out and guard yourselves against every form of greed; for not even when one has an overflowing abundance does his life consist of nor is it derived from his possessions.”
Parable of the Wealthy Fool
16 Then He told them a parable, saying, “There was a rich man whose land was very fertile and productive.
17 And he began thinking to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place [large enough in which] to store my crops?’
18 Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my storehouses and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there.
19 ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many good things stored up, [enough] for many years; rest and relax, eat, drink and be merry (celebrate continually).”’
20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own all the things you have prepared?’
21 “So it is for the one who continues to store up and hoard possessions for himself, and is not rich [in his relationship] toward God.”
Riches in Heaven
32 Do not be afraid and anxious, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 “Sell your possessions (show compassion) and give [donations] to the poor. Provide money belts for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing and inexhaustible treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Watchful Servants – Be in Readiness
35 “Be dressed and ready for active service, and keep your lamps continuously burning.
36 Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that when he comes and knocks they may immediately open the door for him.
37 Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are those servants whom the master finds awake and watching when he arrives. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he will prepare himself to serve, and will have them recline at the table, and will come and wait on them.
38 Whether he comes in the second watch (before midnight), or even in the third (after midnight), and finds them so [prepared and ready], blessed are those servants.
39 “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time the thief was coming, he [would have been awake and alert, and] would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
40 “You too, be continually ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”
The Faithful or the Unfaithful Servant – Parable of the Faithful Steward
41 Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us [disciples], or to everyone else as well?”
42 The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward [of the estate], whom his master will put in charge over his household, to give his servants their portion of food at the proper time?
43 Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is that servant whom his master finds so doing when he arrives.
44 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is taking his time in coming,’ and begins to beat the servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk,
46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and yet did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will be beaten with many lashes [of the whip],
48 but the one who did not know it and did things worthy of a beating, will receive only a few [lashes]. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.
49 “I have come to cast fire (judgment) on the earth; and how I wish that it were already kindled!
50 I have a baptism [of great suffering] with which to be baptized, and how [greatly] I am distressed until it is accomplished!
Understanding the Time
54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain,’ and that is how it turns out.
55 And when [you see that] a south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It will be a hot day,’ and it happens.
56 You hypocrites (play-actors, pretenders)! You know how to analyze and intelligently interpret the appearance of the earth and sky [to forecast the weather], but why do you not intelligently interpret this present time?
54. PARABLE OF BARREN FIG TREE
(Luke 13: 1 – 9)
Jesus Teaches in Parables – Call to Repent
1 Just at that time some people came who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate [the governor] had mixed with their sacrifices.
2 Jesus replied to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they have suffered in this way?
3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways and live changed lives], you will all likewise perish.
4 Or do you assume that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed were worse sinners than all the others who live in Jerusalem?
5 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways and live changed lives], you will all likewise perish.”
Parable of the Fig Tree
6 Then He began telling them this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree that had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, but did not find any;
7 so he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and have found none. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground [depleting the soil and blocking the sunlight]?’
8 But he replied to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, [just] one more year until I dig around it and put in fertilizer;
9 and if it bears fruit after this, fine; but if not, cut it down.”
55. PARABLE OF THE SOWER
( Matt. 13: 2 – 23 )
2 Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat there [positioning Himself as a teacher], while the whole crowd stood on the shore.
3 He told them many things in parables, saying, “Listen carefully: a sower went out to sow [seed in his field];
4 and as he sowed, some seed fell beside the road [between the fields], and the birds came and ate it.
5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil; and at once they sprang up because they had no depth of soil.
6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 Other seed fell among thorns, and thorns came up and choked them out.
8 Other seed fell on good soil and yielded grain, some a hundred times as much [as was sown], some sixty [times as much], and some thirty.
9 “He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.”
The Purpose of the Parables
10 Then the disciples came to Him and asked, “Why do You speak to the crowds in parables?”
11 Jesus replied to them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
12 For whoever has [spiritual wisdom because he is receptive to God’s word], to him more will be given, and he will be richly and abundantly supplied; but whoever does not have [spiritual wisdom because he has devalued God’s word], even what he has will be taken away from him.
13 This is the reason I speak to the crowds in parables: because while [having the power of] seeing they do not see, and while [having the power of] hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand and grasp [spiritual things].
14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL HEAR and KEEP ON HEARING, BUT NEVER UNDERSTAND;
AND YOU WILL LOOK and KEEP ON LOOKING, BUT NEVER COMPREHEND;
15 FOR THIS NATION’s HEART HAS GROWN HARD,
AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY HARDLY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE [tightly] CLOSED THEIR EYES,
OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART, AND TURN [to Me]
AND I WOULD HEAL THEM [spiritually].’
16 But blessed [spiritually aware, and favored by God] are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
17 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, many prophets and righteous men [who were honorable and in right standing with God] longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Jesus Explains the Parable of the Sower
18 “Listen then to the [meaning of the] parable of the sower:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom [regarding salvation] and does not understand and grasp it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.
20 The one on whom seed was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and at once welcomes it with joy;
21 yet he has no [substantial] root in himself, but is only temporary, and when pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles and falls away [abandoning the One who is the source of salvation].
22 And the one on whom seed was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness [the superficial pleasures and delight] of riches choke the word, and it yields no fruit.
23 “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands and grasps it; he indeed bears fruit and yields, some a hundred times [as much as was sown], some sixty [times as much], and some thirty.”
( Mark 4: 24 – 25 )
24 Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides.
25 “For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him.”
56. PARABLE OF THE TARES, ETC.
( Matt. 13: 24 – 53 )
The Parable of the Weeds – Weeds among Wheat
24 Jesus gave them another parable [to consider], saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
25 But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds [resembling wheat] among the wheat, and went away.
26 So when the plants sprouted and formed grain, the weeds appeared also.
27 The servants of the owner came to him and said, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how does it have weeds in it?’
28 He replied to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants asked him, ‘Then do you want us to go and pull them out?’
29 But he said, ‘No; because as you pull out the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.
30 ‘Let them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First gather the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; but gather the wheat into my barn.”
The Parable of the The Mustard Seed
31 He gave them another parable [to consider], saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field;
32 and of all the seeds [planted in the region] it is the smallest, but when it has grown it is the largest of the garden herbs and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR FIND SHELTER IN ITS BRANCHES.”
The Parable of the The Leaven
33 He told them another parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and worked into three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
Jesus’ Use of Parables
34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables, and He said nothing to them without [using] a parable.
35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES; I WILL UTTER THINGS [unknown and unattainable] THAT HAVE BEEN HIDDEN [from mankind] SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.”
Jesus Explains the Parable of the Weeds
36 Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him saying, “Explain [clearly] to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,
38 and the field is the world; and [as for] the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one;
39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels.
40 So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age.
41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend [those things by which people are led into sin], and all who practice evil [leading others into sin],
42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].
43 Then THE RIGHTEOUS [those who seek the will of God] WILL SHINE FORTH [radiating the new life] LIKE THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a [very precious] treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field [securing the treasure for himself].
The Parable of A Costly Pearl
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,
46 and upon finding a single pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
The Parable of A Dragnet
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet which was lowered into the sea, and gathered fish of every kind,
48 and when it was full, they dragged it up on the beach; and they sat down and sorted out the good fish into baskets, but the worthless ones they threw away.
49 So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous
50 and throw the wicked into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].
New Truths and Old
51 “Have you understood all these things [in the lessons of the parables]?” They said to Jesus, “Yes.”
52 He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things that are new and fresh and things that are old and familiar.”
53 When Jesus had finished these parables, He left there.
57. STILLING OF THE TEMPEST
( Matt. 8: 18 – 27 )
The Would-be Followers of Jesus
18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around Him, He gave orders to cast off for the other side of the Sea of Galilee.
19 Then [on His way to board the boat] a scribe [who was a respected and authoritative interpreter of the Law] came and said to Him, “Master, I will accompany You [as Your student] wherever You go.”
20 Jesus replied to him, “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
21 Another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father (collect my inheritance).”
22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me [believing in Me as Master and Teacher], and allow the [spiritually] dead to bury their own dead.”
Jesus Calms a Storm
23 When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.
24 And suddenly a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping.
25 And the disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us, we are going to die!”
26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was [at once] a great and wonderful calm [a perfect peacefulness].
27 The men wondered in amazement, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
58. DEMONIAC OF GADARA
( Mark 5: 1 – 21 )
The Gerasene Demoniac – Jesus Heals a Man with Evil Spirits
1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasene.
2 When Jesus got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him,
3 and the man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with chains.
4 For he had often been bound with shackles [for the feet] and with chains, and he tore apart the chains and broke the shackles into pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue and tame him.
5 Night and day he was constantly screaming and shrieking among the tombs and on the mountains, and cutting himself with [sharp] stones.
6 Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him [in homage];
7 and screaming with a loud voice, he said, “What business do we have in common with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore you by God [swear to me], do not torment me!”
8 For Jesus had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”
9 He was asking him, “What is your name?” And he replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”
10 And he began begging Him repeatedly not to send them out of the region.
11 Now there was a large herd of pigs grazing there on the mountain.
12 And the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the pigs so that we may go into them!”
13 Jesus gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out [of the man] and entered the pigs. The herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea; and they were drowned [one after the other] in the sea.
14 The herdsmen [tending the pigs] ran away and reported it in the city and in the country. And the people came to see what had happened.
15 They came to Jesus and saw the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the man who had [previously] had the “legion” [of demons]; and they were frightened.
16 Those who had seen it described [in detail] to the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man, and [told them all] about the pigs.
17 So the people began to beg with Jesus to leave their region.
18 As He was stepping into the boat, the [Gentile] man who had been demon-possessed was begging with Him [asking] that he might go with Him [as a disciple].
19 Jesus did not let him [come], but [instead] He said to him, “Go home to your family and tell them all the great things that the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.”
20 Hellenistic cities] all the great things that Jesus had done for him; and all the people were astonished.
21 When Jesus had again crossed over in the boat to the other side [of the sea], a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore.
59. RAISING OF JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER AND WOMAN WITH ISSUE OF BLOOD
( Mark 5: 22 – 43 )
Miracles and Healing
22 One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up; and seeing Him, fell at His feet
23 and begged anxiously with Him, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; [please] come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.”
24 And Jesus went with him; and a large crowd followed Him and pressed in around Him [from all sides].
25 woman [in the crowd] had [suffered from] a hemorrhage for twelve years,
26 and had endured much [suffering] at the hands of many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but instead had become worse.
27 She had heard [reports] about Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His outer robe.
28 For she thought, “If I just touch His clothing, I will get well.”
29 Immediately her flow of blood was dried up; and she felt in her body [and knew without any doubt] that she was healed of her suffering.
30 Immediately Jesus, recognizing in Himself that power had gone out from Him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched My clothes?”
31 His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in around You [from all sides], and You ask, ‘Who touched Me?’”
32 Still He kept looking around to see the woman who had done it.
33 And the woman, though she was afraid and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.
34 Then He said to her, “Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in Me] has restored you to health; go in peace and be [permanently] healed from your suffering.”
35 While He was still speaking, some people came from the synagogue official’s house, saying [to Jairus], “Your daughter has died; why bother the Teacher any longer?”
36 Overhearing what was being said, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; only keep on believing [in Me and my power].”
37 And He allowed no one to go with Him [as witnesses], except Peter and James and John the brother of James.
38 They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He looked [with understanding] at the uproar and commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing [in mourning].
39 When He had gone in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is sleeping.”
40 They began laughing [scornfully] at Him [because they knew the child was dead]. But He made them all go outside, and took along the child’s father and mother and His own [three] companions, and entered the room where the child was.
41 Taking the child’s hand, He said [tenderly] to her, “Talitha kum!”—which translated [from Aramaic] means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”
42 The little girl immediately got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they [who witnessed the child’s resurrection] were overcome with great wonder and utter amazement.
43 He gave strict orders that no one should know about this, and He told them to give her something to eat.
60. BLIND MEN HEALED, DUMB SPIRIT QUITS
( Matt. 9: 27 – 34)
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, screaming loudly, “Have mercy and compassion on us, Son of David (Messiah)!”
28 When He went into the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe [with a deep, abiding trust] that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith [your trust and confidence in My power and My ability to heal] it will be done to you.”
30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them: “See that no one knows this!”
31 But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout that whole district.
Jesus Heals a Dumb Man
32 While they were going away, a mute, demon-possessed man was brought to Jesus.
33 And when the demon was driven out [by Jesus], the mute man spoke; and the crowds wondered in amazement, saying, “Never before has anything like this [miracle] been seen in Israel.”
34 But the Pharisees were saying, “He casts out the demons by [the power of] the ruler of demons.”
61. JESUS AGAIN REJECTED AT NAZARETH
( Mark 6: 1 – 6 )
Teaching At Nazareth
1 Jesus left there and came to His hometown [Nazareth]; and His disciples followed Him.
2 When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and many who listened to Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things [this knowledge and spiritual insight]? What is this wisdom [this confident understanding of the Scripture] that has been given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?
3 “Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are His sisters not here with us?” And they were [deeply] offended by Him [and their disapproval blinded them to the fact that He was anointed by God as the Messiah].
4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor (respect) except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”
5 And He could not do a miracle there at all [because of their unbelief] except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.
6 He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around in the villages teaching.
62. THIRD CIRCUIT IN GALILEE. THE TWELVE SENT FORTH
( Matt. 10: 1, 5 – 42 )
The Twelve Disciples; Instructions For Service
1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority and power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
The Mission of the Twelve
5 Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them: “Do not go among the Gentiles, and do not go into a city of the Samaritans;
6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
9 Do not take gold, or silver, or [even] copper money in your money belt,
10 or a provision bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker deserves his support.
11 Whatever city or village you enter, ask who in it is worthy [who welcomes you and your message], and stay at his house until you leave [that city].
12 As you go into the house, give it your greeting [that is, ‘Peace be to this house’].
13 If [the family living in] the house is worthy [welcoming you and your message], give it your [blessing of] peace [that is, a blessing of well-being and prosperity, the favor of God]. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.
14 Whoever does not welcome you, nor listen to your message, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust [of it] off your feet [in contempt, breaking all ties].
15 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city [since it rejected the Messiah’s messenger].
A Hard Road Before Them – Coming Persecutions
16 “Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda].
17 Beware of men [whose nature is to act in opposition to God], for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues;
18 and you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you within that [very] hour;
20 for it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; and children will rise up and rebel against their parents and cause them to be put death.
22 And you will be hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name, but it is the one who has patiently persevered and endured to the end who will be saved.
23 “When they persecute you in one city [because of your faith in Me], flee to the next; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, you will not finish going through all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
The Meaning of Discipleship
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor is a bond-servant above his master.
25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the bond-servant like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul (Satan), how much more [will they speak evil of] the members of his household.
Whom to Fear
26 “So do not be afraid of them, for nothing is hidden that will not be revealed [at the judgment], or kept secret that will not be made known [at the judgment].
27 What I say to you in the dark (privately), tell in the light (publicly); and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops [to many people].
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two little sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
30 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered [for the Father is sovereign and has complete knowledge].
31 do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
Confessing and Rejecting Christ
32“Therefore, the one who confesses and acknowledges Me before men [as Lord and Savior, affirming a state of oneness with Me], that one I will also confess and acknowledge before My Father who is in heaven.
33 But the one who denies and rejects Me before men, that one I will also deny and reject before My Father who is in heaven.
Not Peace, but a Sword
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief].
35 For I have come to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW;
36 and A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS [own] HOUSEHOLD [when one believes and another does not].
37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38 And he who does not take his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] is not worthy of Me.
39 Whoever finds his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], and whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].
The Reward of Service
40 “He who receives and welcomes you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
41 He who receives and welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous (honorable) man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
42 “And whoever gives to one of these little ones [these who are humble in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water to drink because he is my disciple, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.”
63. HEROD HOLDS JESUS TO BE JOHN THE BAPTIST
( Matt. 14: 1 – 2, 6 – 12 )
John’s Fate Recalled – John The Baptist Beheaded
1 At that time Herod [Antipas], the tetrarch [who governed a portion of Palestine including Galilee and Perea], heard the reports about Jesus,
2 and said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and that is why the miraculous powers are at work in him.”
6 But when Herod’s birthday came, [his niece Salome], the daughter of Herodias danced [immodestly] before them and pleased and fascinated Herod,
7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.
8 She, being coached by her mother [Herodias], said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests, he ordered it to be given her.
10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.
11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother [Herodias].
12 And John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
64. FEEDING OF FIVE THOUSAND
( John 6: 1 – 14 )
Five Thousand Fed
1 After this, Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Sea of Tiberias).
2 A large crowd was following Him because they had seen the signs (attesting miracles) which He continually performed on those who were sick.
3 And Jesus went up on the mountain side and sat down there with His disciples.
4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was approaching.
5 Jesus looked up and saw that a large crowd was coming toward Him, and He said to Philip, “Where will we buy bread for these people to eat?”
6 But He said this to test Philip, because He knew what He was about to do.
7 Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii (200 days’ wages) worth of bread is not enough for each one to receive even a little.”
8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,
9 “There is a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?”
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down [to eat].” Now [the ground] there was [covered with] an abundance of grass, so the men sat down, about 5,000 in number.
11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated; the same also with the fish, as much as they wanted.
12 When they had eaten enough, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover pieces so that nothing will be lost.”
13 So they gathered them up, and they filled twelve large baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
14 When the people saw the sign (attesting miracle) that He had done, they began saying, “This is without a doubt the promised Prophet who is to come into the world!”
65. JESUS WALKS ON THE WATER
(Matt. 14: 22 – 36)
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately He directed the disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee], while He sent the crowds away.
23 After He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was there alone.
24 But the boat [by this time] was already a long distance from land, tossed and battered by the waves; for the wind was against them.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night (3:00-6:00 a.m.) Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.
26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.
27 But immediately He spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I! Do not be afraid!”
28 Peter replied to Him, “Lord, if it is [really] You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29 He said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
30 But when he saw [the effects of] the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 Then those in the boat worshiped Him [with awe-inspired reverence], saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”
Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret
34 When they had crossed over [the sea], they went ashore at Gennesaret.
35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word throughout all the surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick;
36 and they begged Him to let them merely touch the fringe of His robe; and all who touched it were perfectly restored.
66. SYNAGOGUE DISCOURSE CAPERNAUM
(John 6: 22 – 71)
The People Seek Jesus
22 The next day the crowd that stood on the other side of the sea realized that there had been only one small boat there, and that Jesus had not boarded the boat with His disciples, but that His disciples had gone away alone.
23 [Now some] other small boats from Tiberias had come in near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they boarded the small boats themselves and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
Jesus the Bread of Life
25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they asked Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?”
26 Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, you have been searching for Me, not because you saw the signs (attesting miracles), but because you ate the loaves and were filled.
27 “Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures [and leads] to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you; for God the Father has authorized Him and put His seal on Him.”
28 Then they asked Him, “What are we to do, so that we may habitually be doing the works of God?”
29 Jesus answered, “This is the work of God: that you believe [adhere to, trust in, rely on, and have faith] in the One whom He has sent.”
30 So they said to Him, “What sign (attesting miracle) will You do that we may see it and believe You? What [supernatural] work will You do [as proof]?
31 “Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written [in Scripture], ‘HE GAVE THEM BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN TO EAT.’”
32 Then Jesus said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven.
33 “For the Bread of God is He who comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”
34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.”
35 Jesus replied to them, “I am the Bread of Life. The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me [as Savior] will never be thirsty [for that one will be sustained spiritually].
36 But as I told you, you have seen Me and still you do not believe.
37 All that My Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, never reject anyone who follows Me].
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.
39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but that I [give new life and] raise it up at the last day.
40 “For this is My Father’s will and purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him [as Savior] will have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.”
41 Now the Jews murmured and found fault with Him because He said, “I am the Bread that came down out of heaven.”
42 They kept saying, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does He now [have the arrogance to] say, ‘I have come down out of heaven’?”
43 So Jesus answered, “Stop murmuring among yourselves.
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him [giving him the desire to come to Me]; and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY WILL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father, comes to Me.
46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He [who was with the Father and] who is from God; He [alone] has seen the Father.
47 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he who believes [in Me as Savior—whoever adheres to, trusts in, relies on, and has faith in Me—already] has eternal life [that is, now possesses it].
48 I am the Bread of Life [the Living Bread which gives and sustains life].
49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.
50 This is the Bread that comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.
51 “I am the Living Bread that came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread [believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior], he will live forever. And the Bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh (body).”
52 Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”
53 And Jesus said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood [unless you believe in Me as Savior and believe in the saving power of My blood which will be shed for you], you do not have life in yourselves.
54 The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood [believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior] has eternal life [that is, now possesses it], and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.
55 For My flesh is true [spiritual] food, and My blood is true [spiritual] drink.
56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood [believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior] remains in Me, and I [in the same way remain] in him.
57 Just as the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, even so the one who feeds on Me [believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior] will also live because of Me.
58 “This is the Bread which came down out of heaven. It is not like [the manna that] our fathers ate and they [eventually] died; the one who eats this Bread [believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior] will live forever.”
59 He said these things in a synagogue while He was teaching in Capernaum.
The Words of Eternal Life
60 When many of His disciples heard this, they said, “This is a difficult and harsh and offensive statement. Who can [be expected to] listen to it?”
61 But Jesus, aware that His disciples were complaining about it, asked them, “Does this cause you to stumble and take offense?
62 What then [will you think] if you see the Son of Man ascending to [the realm] where He was before?
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh conveys no benefit [it is of no account]. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life [providing eternal life].
64 “But [still] there are some of you who do not believe and have faith.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who did not believe, and who would betray Him.
65 And He was saying, “This is the reason why I have told you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him [that is, unless he is enabled to do so] by the Father.”
Peter’s Confession of Faith
66 As a result of this many of His disciples abandoned Him, and no longer walked with Him.
67 So Jesus said to the twelve [disciples], “You do not want to leave too, do you?”
68 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You [alone] have the words of eternal life [you are our only hope].
69 “We have believed and confidently trusted, and [even more] we have come to know [by personal observation and experience] that You are the Holy One of God [the Christ, the Son of the living God].”
70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve [disciples]? And yet one of you is a devil (ally of Satan).”
71 Now He was speaking of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot; for he, one of the twelve [disciples], was about to betray Him.
V. THIRD PASSOVER TO FEAST OF TABERNACLES
67. PHARISAIC TRADITIONS REBUKED
( Mark 7: 1 – 23 )
Tradition And Commandment – The Teaching of the Ancestors
1 Now the Pharisees and some of the scribes came from Jerusalem and gathered around Him,
2 and they had seen that some of His disciples ate their bread with [ceremonially] impure hands, that is, unwashed [and defiled according to Jewish religious ritual].
3 (For the Pharisees and all of the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, holding firmly to the traditions of the elders;
4 and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves [completely according to ritual]; and there are many other things [oral, man-made laws and traditions handed down to them] which they follow diligently, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper utensils.)
5 So the Pharisees and scribes asked Jesus, “Why do Your disciples not live their lives according to the tradition of the elders, but [instead] eat their bread with [ceremonially] unwashed hands?”
6 He replied, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites (play-actors, pretenders), as it is written [in Scripture], ‘THESE PEOPLE HONOR ME WITH THEIR LIPS,
BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME.
7 ‘THEY WORSHIP ME IN VAIN [their worship is meaningless and worthless, a pretense],
TEACHING THE PRECEPTS OF MEN AS DOCTRINES [giving their traditions equal weight with the Scriptures].’
8 “You disregard and neglect the commandment of God, and cling [faithfully] to the tradition of men.”
9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside and nullifying the commandment of God in order to keep your [man-made] tradition and regulations.
10 For Moses said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER [with respect and gratitude]’; and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF HIS FATHER OR MOTHER MUST BE PUT TO DEATH’;
11 but you [Pharisees and scribes] say, ‘If a man tells his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you is Corban, (that is to say, already a gift to God),”
12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother [since helping them would violate his vow of Corban];
13 so you nullify the [authority of the] word of God [acting as if it did not apply] because of your tradition which you have handed down [through the elders]. And you do many things such as that.”
The Things that Make a Person Unclean
14 After He called the people to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen [carefully] to Me, all of you, [hear] and understand [what I am saying]:
15 There is nothing outside a man [such as food] which by going into him can defile him [morally or spiritually]; but the things which come out of [the heart of] a man are what defile and dishonor him.
16 [“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”]
17 When Jesus had left the crowd and gone into the house, His disciples asked Him about the parable.
18 And He said to them, “Are you, too, so foolish and lacking in understanding? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile and dishonor him,
19 since it does not enter his heart, but [only] his stomach, and [from there it] is eliminated?” (By this, He declared all foods ceremonially clean.)
20 And He said, “Whatever comes from [the heart of] a man, that is what defiles and dishonors him.
21 For from within, [that is] out the heart of men, come base and malevolent thoughts and schemes, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, adulteries,
22 acts of greed and covetousness, wickedness, deceit, unrestrained conduct, envy and jealousy, slander and profanity, arrogance and self-righteousness and foolishness (poor judgment).
23 “All these evil things [schemes and desires] come from within and defile and dishonor the man.”
68. SYROPHENICIAN WOMAN’S DAUGHTER HEALED
( Mark 7: 24 – 30 )
A Woman’s Faith
24 Jesus got up and left there and went to the region of Tyre [and Sidon, the coastal area of Phoenicia]. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know about it; but it was impossible for Him to be hidden [from the public].
25 Instead, after hearing about Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet.
26 Now the woman was a Gentile (Greek), a Syrophoenician by nationality. And she kept pleading with Him to drive the demon out of her daughter.
27 He was saying to her, “First let the children [of Israel] be fed, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the pet dogs (non-Jews).”
28 But she replied, “Yes, Lord, but even the pet dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
29 And He said to her, “Because of this answer [reflecting your humility and faith], go [knowing that your request is granted]; the demon has left your daughter [permanently].”
30 And returning to her home, she found the child lying on the couch [relaxed and resting], the demon having gone.
69. DEAF AND DUMB MAN AND OTHERS HEALED.
( Mark 7: 31 – 37 )
Jesus Heals a Deaf-Mute
31 Soon after this Jesus left the region of Tyre, and passed through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of Decapolis [the ten Hellenistic cities].
32 They brought to Him a man who was deaf and had difficulty speaking, and they begged Jesus to place His hand on him.
33 Jesus, taking him aside by himself, away from the crowd, put His fingers into the man’s ears, and after spitting, He touched the man’s tongue [with the saliva];
34 and looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to the man, “Ephphatha,” which [in Aramaic] means, “Be opened and released!”
35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he began speaking plainly.
36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it.
37 They were thoroughly astounded and completely overwhelmed, saying, “He has done everything well! He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!”
70. FEEDING OF FOUR THOUSAND
( Mark 8: 1 – 9 )
Four Thousand Fed
1 In those days, when there was again a large crowd [gathered before Him] and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples and told them,
2 “I feel compassion for the crowd; they have been with Me now for three days and have nothing [left] to eat.
3 “If I send them away to their homes hungry, they will faint [from exhaustion] on the road; because some of them have come a long way.”
4 His disciples replied to Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this isolated place to feed these people?”
5 He asked them, “How many loaves [of bread] do you have?” They said, “Seven.”
6 He directed the people to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and [repeatedly] gave them to His disciples to set before them, and they served the crowd.
7 They also had a few small fish; and when Jesus had blessed them [and given thanks], He ordered these [fish] to be set before them as well.
8 And the people ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over.
9 About four thousand [men] were there [besides women and children]; and He sent them away.
71. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES AGAIN REQUIRE SIGN
( Matt. 15: 39, 16:1 – 4 )
Pharisees Test Jesus
39 Then Jesus sent the crowds away, got into the boat and went to the district of Magadan.
1 Now the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus [to get something to use against Him], they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven [which would support His divine authority].
2 But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’
3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a threatening look.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but cannot interpret the signs of the times?
4“An evil and [morally] unfaithful generation craves a [miraculous] sign; but no sign will be given to it, except the sign of [the prophet] Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.
72. THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES
( Matt. 16: 5 – 12 )
The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees
5 When the disciples reached the other side of the sea, they realized that they had forgotten to bring bread.
6 Jesus said to them, “Watch out and be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
7 They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring bread.”
8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves that you have no bread?
9 Do you still not understand or remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you picked up?
10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many large baskets you picked up?
11 “How is it that you fail to understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the [false] teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
73. BLIND MAN HEALED
( Mark 8: 22 – 26 )
Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida
22 Then they came to Bethsaida; and some people brought a blind man to Jesus and begged Him to touch him.
23 Taking the blind man by the hand, He led him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?”
24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but [they look] like trees, walking around.”
25 Then again Jesus laid His hands on his eyes; and the man stared intently and [his sight] was [completely] restored, and he began to see everything clearly.
26 And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”
74. PETER AND REST PROFESS FAITH
( Matt. 16: 13 – 20 )
Peter’s Confession of Christ
13 Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14 And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or [just] one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.”
17 Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ].
19 “I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.”
20 Then He gave the disciples strict orders to tell no one that He was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).
75. LORD FORETELLS DEATH AND RESURRECTION
( Matt. 16: 21 – 28 )
Jesus Foretells His Death
21 From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples [clearly] that He must go to Jerusalem, and endure many things at the hands of the elders and the chief priests and scribes (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), and be killed, and be raised [from death to life] on the third day.
22 Peter took Him aside [to speak to Him privately] and began to reprimand Him, saying, “May God forbid it! This will never happen to You.”
23 But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on things of God, but on things of man.”
Discipleship Is Costly
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].
25 For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].
26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory and majesty of His Father with His angels, and THEN HE WILL REPAY EACH ONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHAT HE HAS DONE.
28 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
76. TRANSFIGURATION AND DISCOURSE
(Matt. 17: 1 – 13)
The Transfiguration
1 Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John the brother of James, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.
2 And His appearance changed dramatically in their presence; and His face shone [with heavenly glory, clear and bright] like the sun, and His clothing became as white as light.
3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.
4 Then Peter began to speak and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good and delightful and auspicious that we are here; if You wish, I will put up three [sacred] tents here—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!”
6 When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were terrified.
7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.”
8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.
9 And as they were going down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
10 The disciples asked Him, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
11 He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things;
12 but I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not recognize him, but did to him as they wished. The Son of Man is also going to suffer at their hands.”
13 Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.
77. HEALING OF DEMONIAC WHOM DISCIPLES COULD NOT HEAL
( Mark 9: 14 – 29 )
All Things Possible
14 When they came [back] to the [other nine] disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and scribes questioning and arguing with them.
15 Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Jesus, they were startled and began running up to greet Him.
16 He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?”
The Demoniac – Jesus Heals a Boy with an Evil Spirit
17 One of the crowd replied to Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him unable to speak;
18 and whenever it seizes him [intending to do harm], it throws him down, and he foams [at the mouth], and grinds his teeth and becomes stiff. I told Your disciples to drive it out, and they could not do it.”
19 He replied, “O unbelieving (faithless) generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”
20 They brought the boy to Him. When the [demonic] spirit saw Him, immediately it threw the boy into a convulsion, and falling to the ground he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he answered, “Since childhood.
22 “The demon has often thrown him both into fire and into water, intending to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!”
23 Jesus said to him, “[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!”
24 Immediately the father of the boy cried out [with a desperate, piercing cry], saying, “I do believe; help [me overcome] my unbelief.”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering [around them], He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again!”
26 After screaming out and throwing him into a terrible convulsion, it came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse [so still and pale] that many [of the spectators] said, “He is dead!”
27 But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he stood up.
28 When He had gone indoors, His disciples began asking Him privately, “Why were we unable to drive it out?”
29 He replied to them, “This kind [of unclean spirit] cannot come out by anything but prayer [to the Father].”
78. JESUS AGAIN FORETELLS DEATH, ETC.
( Mark 9: 30 – 32 )
Death and Resurrection Foretold
30 They went on from there and began to go through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know it,
31 because He was teaching His disciples [and preparing them for the future]. He told them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed and handed over to men [who are His enemies], and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise [from the dead] three days later.”
32 But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him [what He meant].
79. TRIBUTE MONEY MIRACULOUSLY FOUND
( Matt. 17: 24 – 27 )
Paymnent of the Temple – Tax
24 When they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel [temple tax] went up to Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the half-shekel?”
25 Peter answered, “Yes.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly rulers collect duties or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?”
26 When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt [from taxation].
27 “However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take it and give it to them [to pay the temple tax] for you and Me.”
80. DISCIPLES CONTEND WHO THE GREATEST
( Matt. 18: 1 – 35 )
Rank In The Kingdom
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child and set him before them,
3 and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 Whoever receives and welcomes one child like this in My name receives Me;
Temptations to Sin – Stumbling Blocks
6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble and sin [by leading him away from My teaching], it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone [as large as one turned by a donkey] hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 “Woe (judgment is coming) to the world because of stumbling blocks and temptations to sin! It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person on whose account or through whom the stumbling block comes!
8 “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble and sin, cut it off and throw it away from you [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into everlasting fire.
9 If your eye causes you to stumble and sin, pluck it out and throw it away from you [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; it is better for you to enter life with only one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fiery hell.
10 “See that you do not despise or think less of one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven [are in the presence of and] continually look upon the face of My Father who is in heaven.
11 [For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.]
The Parable of the Lost Sheep – Ninety-nine Plus One
12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that is lost?
13 And if it turns out that he finds it, I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that did not get lost.
14 So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones be lost.
A Brother Who Sins
15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens and pays attention to you, you have won back your brother.
16 But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two others, so that EVERY WORD MAY BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES.
17 If he pays no attention to them [refusing to listen and obey], tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile (unbeliever) and a tax collector.
Prohibiting and Permittting
18 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth shall have [already] been loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say to you, that if two believers on earth agree [that is, are of one mind, in harmony] about anything that they ask [within the will of God], it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
20 “For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.”
Forgiveness – The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came to Him and asked, “Lord, how many times will my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered him, “I say to you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven.
23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
24 When he began the accounting, one who owed him 10,000 talents was brought to him.
25 But because he could not repay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and his children and everything that he possessed, and payment to be made.
26 So the slave fell on his knees and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’
27 And his master’s heart was moved with compassion and he released him and forgave him [canceling] the debt.
28 But that same slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began choking him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe!’
29 So his fellow slave fell on his knees and begged him earnestly, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’
30 But he was unwilling and he went and had him thrown in prison until he paid back the debt.
31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and they went and reported to their master [with clarity and in detail] everything that had taken place.
32 Then his master called him and said to him, ‘You wicked and contemptible slave, I forgave all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me.
33 ‘Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave [who owed you little by comparison], as I had mercy on you?’
34 And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (jailers) until he paid all that he owed.
35 “My heavenly Father will also do the same to [every one of] you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”
81. JESUS GOES UP TO FEAST OF TABERNACLES
( Luke 9: 51 – 62 )
A Samaritan Village Refuses to Recieve Jesus
51 Now when the time was approaching for Him to be taken up [to heaven], He was determined to go to Jerusalem [to fulfill His purpose].
52 He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went into a Samaritan village to make arrangements for Him;
53 but the people would not welcome Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem.
54 When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and destroy them?”
55 But He turned and rebuked them [and He said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are;
56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”] And they journeyed on to another village.
Exacting Discipleship – The Would-be Followers of Jesus
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.”
58 And Jesus told him, “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
59 He said to another, “Follow Me [accepting Me as Master and Teacher].” But he said, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”
60 But He said to him, “Allow the [spiritually] dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and spread the news about the kingdom of God.”
61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord [as Your disciple]; but first let me say goodbye to those at my home.”
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things left behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.”
82. THE SEVENTY SENT FORTH
( Luke 10: 1 – 16 )
The Seventy Sent Out
1 Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every city and place where He was about to go.
2 He was saying to them, “The harvest is abundant [for there are many who need to hear the good news about salvation], but the workers [those available to proclaim the message of salvation] are few. Therefore, [prayerfully] ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.
3 Go your way; listen carefully: I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
4 Do not carry a money belt, a provision bag, or [extra] sandals; and do not greet anyone along the way [who would delay you].
5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace [that is, a blessing of well-being and prosperity, the favor of God] to this house.’
6 And if anyone of peace is there [someone who is sweet-spirited and hospitable], your [blessing of] peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.
7 Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not move from house to house.
8 Whenever you go into a city and they welcome you, eat what is set before you;
9 and heal those in it who are sick [authenticating your message], and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
10 But whatever city you enter and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say,
11 ‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you [breaking all ties]; yet understand this, that the kingdom of God has come near [and you rejected it].’
12 I tell you, it will be more bearable in that day [of judgment] for Sodom than for that city.
The Unbelieving Towns
13 “Woe (judgment is coming) to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented and changed their minds long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes [to show deep regret for sin].
14 However, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.
15 And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades (the realm of the dead).
16 “The one who listens to you listens to Me; and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and the one who rejects Me rejects Him [My heavenly Father] who sent Me.”
83. TEN LEPERS CLEANSED
( Luke 17: 11 – 19 )
Ten Lepers Cleansed
11 While Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing [along the border] between Samaria and Galilee.
12 As He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers who stood at a distance;
13 and they raised their voices and called out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were [miraculously] healed and made clean.
15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying and praising and honoring God with a loud voice;
16 and he lay face downward at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him [over and over]. He was a Samaritan.
17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten [of you] cleansed? Where are the [other] nine?
18 “Was there no one found to return and to give thanks and praise to God, except this foreigner?”
19 Jesus said to him, “Get up and go [on your way]. Your faith [your personal trust in Me and your confidence in God’s power] has restored you to health.”
VI FEAST OF TABERNACLES TO ARRIVAL IN BETHANY 6 DAYS BEFORE PASSOVER
84. JESUS AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
( John 7: 11 – 52 )
Jesus at the Festival of Shelters
11 So the Jews kept looking for Him at the feast and asking, “Where is He?”
12 There was a lot of whispered discussion and murmuring among the crowds about Him. Some were saying, “He is a good man”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He misleads the people [giving them false ideas].”
13 Yet no one was speaking out openly and freely about Him for fear of [the leaders of] the Jews.
14 When the feast was already half over, Jesus went up into the temple [court] and began to teach.
15 Then the Jews were perplexed. They said, “How did this man become learned [so versed in the Scriptures and theology] without formal training?”
16 Jesus answered them by saying, “My teaching is not My own, but His who sent Me.
17 If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know whether the teaching is of God or whether I speak on My own accord and by My own authority.
18 He who speaks on his own accord seeks glory and honor for himself. But He who seeks the glory and the honor of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness or deception in Him.
19 “Did not Moses give you the Law? And yet not one of you keeps the Law. Why do you want to kill Me [for not keeping it]?”
20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon [You are out of Your mind]! Who wants to kill You?”
21 Jesus replied, “I did one work, and you are all astounded.
22 For this reason Moses has given you [God’s law regarding] circumcision (not that it originated with Moses, but with the patriarchs) and you circumcise a man [even] on the Sabbath.
23 If, to avoid breaking the Law of Moses, a man undergoes circumcision on the Sabbath, why are you angry with Me for making a man’s whole body well on the Sabbath?
24 “Do not judge by appearance [superficially and arrogantly], but judge fairly and righteously.”
Is He the Messiah ?
25 Then some of the people of Jerusalem said, “Is this not the Man they want to kill?
26 Look, He is speaking publicly, and they say nothing to Him! Is it possible that the rulers really know that this is Christ?
27 “But we know where this Man is from; whenever the Christ comes, no one will know where He is from.”
28 Then Jesus called out as He taught in the temple, “You know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come on my own initiative [as self-appointed], but He who sent Me is true, and Him you do not know.
29 “I know Him Myself because I am from Him [I came from His very presence] and it was He [personally] who sent Me.”
30 So they were eager to arrest Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His time had not yet come.
31 But many from the crowd believed in Him. And they kept saying, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs and exhibit more proofs than this Man?”
Guards Are Sent to Arrest Jesus
32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things [under their breath] about Him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent guards to arrest Him.
33 Therefore Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am [still] with you, and then I go to Him who sent Me.
34 “You will look for Me, and will not [be able to] find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.”
35 Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does this Man intend to go that we will not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion [of Jews scattered and living] among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
36“What does this statement of His mean, ‘You will look for Me, and will not [be able to] find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?”
Streams of Life-Giving Water
37 Now on the last and most important day of the feast, Jesus stood and called out [in a loud voice], “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink!
38 “He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.’”
39 But He was speaking of the [Holy] Spirit, whom those who believed in Him [as Savior] were to receive afterward. The Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (raised to honor).
Division of People over Jesus
40 Listening to these words, some of the people said, “This is certainly the Prophet!”
41 Others said, “This is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)!” But others said, “Surely the Christ is not going to come out of Galilee, is He?
42 “Does the Scripture not say that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?”
43 So the crowd was divided because of Him.
44 Some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
The Unbelief of the Jewish Authorities
45 Then the guards went [back] to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring Him [here with you]?”
46 The guards replied, “Never [at any time] has a man talked the way this Man talks!”
47 Then the Pharisees said to them, “Have you also been deluded and swept off your feet?
48 Has any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in Him?
49 “But this [ignorant, contemptible] crowd that does not know the Law is accursed and doomed!”
50 Nicodemus (the one who came to Jesus before and was one of them) asked,
51 “Does our Law convict someone without first giving him a hearing and finding out what he is [accused of] doing?”
52 They responded, “Are you also from Galilee? Search [and read the Scriptures] and see [for yourself] that no prophet comes from Galilee!” [And everyone went to his own house.]
85. WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY
(John 8: 1 – 11)
The Adulterous Woman
1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 Early in the morning He came back into the temple [court], and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began teaching them.
3 Now the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the center of the court,
4 and they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of adultery.
5 “Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women [to death]. So what do You say [to do with her—what is Your sentence]?”
6 They said this to test Him, hoping that they would have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and began writing on the ground with His finger.
7 However, when they persisted in questioning Him, He straightened up and said, “He who is without [any] sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
8 Then He stooped down again and started writing on the ground.
9 They listened [to His reply], and they began to go out one by one, starting with the oldest ones, until He was left alone, with the woman [standing there before Him] in the center of the court.
10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?”
11 She answered, “No one, Lord!” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]
86. LORD REPROVES JEWS AND LEAVES THEM
( John 8: 12 – 59 )
Jesus Is the Light of the World
12 Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
13 Then the Pharisees told Him, “You are testifying on Your own behalf; Your testimony is not valid.”
14 Jesus replied, “Even if I do testify on My own behalf, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
15 You judge according to human standards [just by what you see]. I do not judge anyone.
16 But even if I do judge, My judgment is true and My decision is right; for I am not alone [in making it], but I and the Father who sent Me [make the same judgment].
17 Even in your own law it is written that the testimony of two persons is true [valid and admissible].
18 “I am One [of the Two] who testifies about Myself, and My Father who sent Me testifies about Me.”
19 Then the Pharisees said to Him, “Where is this Father of Yours?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.”
20 Jesus said these things in the treasury, as He taught in the temple [courtyard]; and no one seized Him, because His time had not yet come.
You Can not Go Where I Am Going
21 Then He said again to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, and you will die [unforgiven and condemned] in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”
22 So the Jews were asking [among themselves], “Will He kill Himself? Is that why He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?”
23 He said to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.
24 “That is why I told you that you will die [unforgiven and condemned] in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am the One [I claim to be], you will die in your sins.”
25 So they said to Him, “Who are You [anyway]?” Jesus replied, “What have I been saying to you from the beginning?
26 “I have many things to say and judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I say to the world [only] the things that I have heard from Him.”
27 They did not realize [or have the spiritual insight to understand] that He was speaking to them about the Father.
28 So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man [on the cross], you will know then [without any doubt] that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own authority, but I say these things just as My Father taught Me.
29 “And He who sent Me is [always] with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”
30 As He said these things, many believed in Him.
The Truth Will Make You Free
31 Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples.
32 “And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].”
33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been enslaved to anyone. What do You mean by saying, ‘You will be set free’?”
34 Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, everyone who practices sin habitually is a slave of sin.
35 Now the slave does not remain in a household forever; the son [of the master] does remain forever.
36 So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.
37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you plan to kill Me, because My word has no place [to grow] in you [and it makes no change in your heart].
38 “I tell the things that I have seen at My Father’s side [in His very presence]; so you also do the things that you heard from your father.”
39 They answered, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are [truly] Abraham’s children, then do the works of Abraham and follow his example.
40 But as it is, you want to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. This is not the way Abraham acted.
41 “You are doing the works of your [own] father.” They said to Him, “We are not illegitimate children; we have one [spiritual] Father: God.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father [but He is not], you would love and recognize Me, for I came from God [out of His very presence] and have arrived here. For I have not even come on My own initiative [as self-appointed], but He [is the One who] sent Me.
43 Why do you misunderstand what I am saying? It is because [your spiritual ears are deaf and] you are unable to hear [the truth of] My word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and it is your will to practice the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks what it natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and half-truths.
45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me [and continue in your unbelief].
46 Which one of you [has proof and] convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me?
47 “Whoever is of God and belongs to Him hears [the truth of] God’s words; for this reason you do not hear them: because you are not of God and you are not in fellowship with Him.”
Jesus and Abraham
48 The Jews answered Him, “Are we not right when we say You are a Samaritan and [that You] have a demon [and are under its power]?”
49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon. On the contrary, I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.
50 However, I am not seeking glory for Myself. There is One who seeks [glory for Me] and judges [those who dishonor Me].
51 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if anyone keeps My word [by living in accordance with My message] he will indeed never, ever see and experience death.”
52 The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon [and are under its power]. Abraham died, and also the prophets; yet You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never, ever taste of death.’
53 “Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too! Whom do You make Yourself out to be?”
54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is [worth] nothing. It is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’
55 Yet you do not know Him, but I know Him fully. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him and keep His word.
56 “Your father Abraham [greatly] rejoiced to see My day (My incarnation). He saw it and was delighted.”
57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not even fifty years old, and You [claim to] have seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus replied, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, before Abraham was born, I Am.”
59 So they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus concealed Himself and left the temple.
87. PARABLE OF GOOD SAMARITAN
( Luke 10: 25 – 37 )
Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 And a certain lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law] stood up to test Him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
27 And he replied, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
28 Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS habitually AND YOU WILL LIVE.”
29 But he, wishing to justify and vindicate himself, asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, who stripped him of his clothes [and belongings], beat him, and went their way [unconcerned], leaving him half dead.
31 Now by coincidence a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 Likewise a Levite also came down to the place and saw him, and passed by on the other side [of the road].
33 But a Samaritan (foreigner), who was traveling, came upon him; and when he saw him, he was deeply moved with compassion [for him],
34 and went to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them [to sooth and disinfect the injuries]; and he put him on his own pack-animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
35 the next day he took out two denarii (two days’ wages) and gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I return.’
36 “Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to the man who encountered the robbers?”
37 He answered, “The one who showed compassion and mercy to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and constantly do the same.”
88. JESUS IN THE HOUSE OF MARTHA AND MARY
( Luke 10: 38 – 42 )
Jesus Visits Martha and Mary
38 Now while they were on their way, Jesus entered a village [called Bethany], and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
39 She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching.
40 But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.”
41 But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things;
42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage],which will not be taken away from her.”
89. DISCIPLES TAUGHT HOW TO PRAY
( Luke 11: 1 – 11 )
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer
1 It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.”
2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:
‘Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 ‘Give us each day our daily bread.
4 ‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [who has offended or wronged us]. And lead us not into temptation [but rescue us from evil].’”
Parable of Persistence
5 Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves [of bread];
6 for a friend of mine who is on a journey has just come to visit me, and I have nothing to serve him’;
7 and from inside he answers, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’
8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything just because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence and boldness he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
9 “So I say to you, ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds; and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened.
11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?
90. THE SEVENTY RETURN
( Luke 10: 17 – 24 )
The Joyous Results
17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like [a flash of] lightning.
19 Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you.
20 “Nevertheless do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”
Jesus Rejoices
21 In that very hour He was overjoyed and rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and He said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things [relating to salvation] from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to infants [the childlike and untaught]. Yes, Father, for this way was [Your gracious will and choice, and was] well-pleasing in Your sight.
22 “All things have been transferred and turned over to Me by My Father and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him.”
23 Then turning to His disciples, Jesus said privately, “Blessed [joyful, spiritually enlightened, and favored by God] are the eyes which see what you see,
24 for I say to you that many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, and they did not see it; and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
91. MAN BORN BLIND HEALED ON SABBATH
( John 9: 1 – 41 )
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
1 While He was passing by, He noticed a man [who had been] blind from birth.
2 His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi (Teacher), who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?”
3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but it was so that the works of God might be displayed and illustrated in him.
4 We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.
5 “As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world [giving guidance through My word and works].”
6 When He had said this, He spat on the ground and made mud with His saliva, and He spread the mud [like an ointment] on the man’s eyes.
7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing.
8 So the neighbors, and those who used to know him as a beggar, said, “Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?”
9 Some said, “It is he.” Still others said, “No, but he looks like him.” But he kept saying, “I am the man.”
10 So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”
11 He replied, “The Man called Jesus made mud and smeared it on my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received my sight!”
12 They asked him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.”
Controversy over the Man
13 Then they brought the man who was formerly blind to the Pharisees.
14 Now it was on a Sabbath day that Jesus made the mud and opened the man’s eyes.
15 So the Pharisees asked him again how he received his sight. And he said to them, “He smeared mud on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see.”
16 Then some of the Pharisees said, “This Man [Jesus] is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner (a non-observant Jew) do such signs and miracles?” So there was a difference of opinion among them.
17Accordingly they said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him, since He opened your eyes?” And he said, “[It must be that] He is a prophet!”
18 However, the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the man’s parents.
19 They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? Then how does he now see?”
20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;
21 but as to how he now sees, we do not know; or who has opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him [and stop asking us]; he is of age, he will speak for himself and give his own account of it.”
22 His parents said this because they were afraid of [the leaders of] the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged Jesus to be the Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue (excommunicated).
23 Because of this his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
24 So a second time they called the man who had been [born] blind, and said to him, “Give God glory and praise [for your sight]! We know this Man [Jesus] is a sinner [separated from God].”
25 Then he answered, “I do not know whether He is a sinner [separated from God]; but one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”
26 So they said to him, “What did He [actually] do to you? How did He open your eyes?”
27 He answered, “I already told you and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again and again? Do you want to become His disciples, too?”
28 And [at that remark] they stormed at him and jeered, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses!
29 “We know [for certain] that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this Man, we do not know where He is from.”
30 The man replied, “Well, this is astonishing! You do not know where He comes from, and yet He opened my eyes!
31 We know [according to your tradition] that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone fears God and does His will, He hears him.
32 Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind.
33 “If this Man were not from God, He would not be able to do anything [like this because God would not hear His prayer].”
34 They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins [from head to foot], and you [presume to] teach us?” Then they threw him out [of the synagogue].
Jesus Affirms His Deity
35 Jesus heard that they had put him out [of the synagogue], and finding him, He asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36 He answered, “Who is He, Sir? Tell me so that I may believe in Him.”
37 Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and [in fact] He is the one who is talking with you.”
38 And he said, “Lord, I believe [in You and Your word]!” And he worshiped Him [with reverence and awe].
39 Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment [to separate those who believe in Me from those who reject Me—to declare judgment on those who choose to be separated from God], so that the sightless would see, and those who see would become blind.”
40 Some Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “Are we also blind?”
41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind [to spiritual things], you would have no sin [and would not be blamed for your unbelief]; but since you claim to have [spiritual] sight, [you have no excuse so] your sin and guilt remain.
92. PARABLE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
(John 10: 1 – 21)
Parable Of The Good Shepherd
1 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up from some other place [on the stone wall], that one is a thief and a robber.
2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep [the protector and provider].
3 The doorkeeper opens [the gate] for this man, and the sheep hear his voice and pay attention to it. And [knowing that they listen] he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out [to pasture].
4 When he has brought all his own sheep outside, he walks on ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice and recognize his call.
5 “They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”
6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.
Jesus the Good Shepherd
7 So Jesus said again, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I am the Door for the sheep [leading to life].
8 All who came before Me [as false messiahs and self-appointed leaders] are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security).
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep.
12 But the hired man [who merely serves for wages], who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away; and the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.
13 The man runs because he is a hired hand [who serves only for wages] and is not concerned about the [safety of the] sheep.
14 I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me]—
15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My [very own] life [sacrificing it] for the benefit of the sheep.
16 I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring those also, and they will listen to My voice and pay attention to My call, and they will become one flock with one Shepherd.
17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life so that I may take it back.
18 “No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.”
19 A division [of opinion] occurred again among the Jews because of these words [of His].
20 Many of them said, “He has a demon and He is mad [insane—He raves and rambles]. Why listen to Him?”
21 Others were saying, “These are not the words and thoughts of one possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
93. JESUS AT FEAST OF DEDICATION
( John 10: 22 – 42 )
Jesus Asserts His Deity
22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem.
23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple [area] in Solomon’s portico.
24 So the Jews surrounded Him and began saying to Him, “How long are You going to keep us in suspense? If You are [really] the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), tell us so plainly and openly.”
25 Jesus answered them, “I have told you so, yet you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name testify concerning Me [they are My credentials and the evidence declaring who I am].
26 But you do not believe Me [so you do not trust and follow Me] because you are not My sheep.
27 The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.
28 And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand.
29 Father, who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
30 “I and the Father are One [in essence and nature].”
31 Again the Jews picked up stones to stone Him.
32 Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works [and many acts of mercy] from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?”
33 The Jews answered Him, “We are not going to stone You for a good work, but for blasphemy, because You, a mere man, make Yourself out to be God.”
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I SAID, YOU ARE GODS [human judges representing God, not divine beings]’?
35 He called them gods, men to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be undone or annulled or broken),
36 [if that is true] then do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and set apart for Himself and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
37 If I do not do the works of My Father [that is, the miracles that only God could perform], then do not believe Me.
38 “But if I am doing them, even if you do not believe Me or have faith in Me, [at least] believe the works [that I do—admit that they are the works of God], so that you may know and keep on knowing [clearly—without any doubt] that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father [that is, I am One with Him].”
39 So they tried again to seize Him, but He eluded their grasp.
40 He went back again across the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there.
41 Many came to Him, and they were saying, “John did not perform a single sign (attesting miracle), but everything John said about this Man was true and accurate.”
42 And many there believed and confidently trusted in Him [accepting Him as Savior, and following His teaching].
94. RAISING OF LAZARUS
( John 11: 1 – 46 )
The Death And Resurrection Of Lazarus
1 Now a certain man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village where Mary and her sister Martha lived.
2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
3 So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, he [our brother and Your friend] whom You love is sick.”
4 When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death; but [on the contrary it is] for the glory and honor of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.”
5 Now Jesus loved and was concerned about Martha and her sister and Lazarus [and considered them dear friends].
6 So [even] when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed in the same place two more days.
7 Then He said to His disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi (Teacher), the Jews were only recently going to stone You, and You are [thinking of] going back there again?”
9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours [of light] in the day? Anyone who walks in the daytime does not stumble, because he sees [by] the light of this world.
10 “But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him.”
11 He said this, and after that said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him.”
12 The disciples answered, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”
13 However, Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was referring to natural sleep.
14 So then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.
15 “And for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
16 Then Thomas, who was called Didymus (the twin), said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go too, that we may die with Him.”
Jesus the Resurrection and the Life
17 So when Jesus arrived, He found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.
18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away;
19 and many of the Jews had come to see Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning [the loss of] their brother.
20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him, while Mary remained sitting in the house.
21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
22 “Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give to You.”
23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise [from the dead].”
24 Martha replied, “I know that he will rise [from the dead] in the resurrection on the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, relies on) Me [as Savior] will live even if he dies;
26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me [as Savior] will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed and continue to believe that You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of God, He who was [destined and promised] to come into the world [and it is for You that the world has waited].”
Jesus Weeps
28 After she had said this, she left and called her sister Mary, privately whispering [to her], “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”
29 And when she heard this, she got up quickly and went to Him.
30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met Him.
31 So when the Jews who were with her in the house comforting her, saw how quickly Mary got up and left, they followed her, assuming that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
32 When Mary came [to the place] where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
33 When Jesus saw her sobbing, and the Jews who had come with her also sobbing, He was deeply moved in spirit [to the point of anger at the sorrow caused by death] and was troubled,
34 and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said, “Lord, come and see.”
35 Jesus wept.
36 So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him [as a close friend]!”
37 But some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the blind man’s eyes, have kept this man from dying?”
Lazarus Is Brought to Life
38 So Jesus, again deeply moved within [to the point of anger], approached the tomb. It was a cave, and a boulder was lying against it [to cover the entrance].
39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be an offensive odor, for he has been dead four days! [It is hopeless!]”
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe [in Me], you will see the glory of God [the expression of His excellence]?”
41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes [toward heaven] and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.
42 “I knew that You always hear Me and listen to Me; but I have said this because of the people standing around, so that they may believe that You have sent Me [and that You have made Me Your representative].”
43 When He had said this, He shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
44 Out came the man who had been dead, his hands and feet tightly wrapped in burial cloths (linen strips), and with a [burial] cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and release him.”
45 So then, many of the Jews who had come to [be with] Mary and who were eyewitnesses to what Jesus had done, believed in Him.
46 But some of them went back to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
95. COUNSEL OF CAIAPHAS AGAINST JESUS
( John 11: 47 – 54 )
Conspiracy to Kill Jesus
47 So the chief priests and Pharisees convened a council [of the leaders in Israel], and said, “What are we doing? For this man performs many signs (attesting miracles).
48 “If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our [holy] place (the temple) and our nation.”
49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year [the year of Christ’s crucifixion], said to them, “You know nothing at all!
50 “Nor do you understand that it is expedient and politically advantageous for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.”
51 Now he did not say this [simply] on his own initiative; but being the high priest that year, he [was unknowingly used by God and] prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,
52 and not only for the nation, but also for the purpose of gathering together into one body the children of God who have been scattered abroad.
53 So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.
54 For that reason Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but left there and went to the district that borders on the uninhabited wilderness, to a town called Ephraim; and He stayed there with the disciples.
96. JESUS AND MULTITUDES BEYOND JORDAN
( Matt. 19: 1 – 2 )
1 Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the part of Judea that is beyond the Jordan;
2 and large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.
97. JESUS TEACHING AND JOURNEYING TOWARD JERUSALEM
( Luke 13: 22 – 35 )
Teaching in the Villages
The Narrow Door
22 Jesus journeyed on through cities and villages, teaching and making His way toward Jerusalem.
23 And someone asked Him, “Lord, will only a few be saved [from the penalties of the last judgment]?” And He said to them,
24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door [force aside unbelief and the attractions of sin]; for many, I tell you, will try to enter [by their own works] and will not be able.
25 Once the head of the house gets up and closes the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door [again and again], saying, ‘Lord, open to us!’ then He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you are from [for you are not of My household].’
26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’;
27 but He will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS!’
28 In that place there will be weeping [in sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [in distress and anger] when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out and driven away.
29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and they will sit down [and feast at the table] in the kingdom of God.
30 “And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
Jesus’ Love for Jerusalem
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came up and said to Him, “Leave and go away from here, because Herod [Antipas] wants to kill You.”
32 And He said to them, “Go and tell that fox [that sly, cowardly man], ‘Listen carefully: I cast out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I reach My goal.’
33 Nevertheless I must travel on today and tomorrow and the day after that—for it cannot be that a prophet would die outside of Jerusalem.
34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones [to death] those [messengers] who are sent to her [by God]! How often I have wanted to gather your children together [around Me], just as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you were not willing!
35 “Listen carefully: your house is left to you desolate [abandoned by God and destitute of His protection]; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘BLESSED [to be celebrated with praise] IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!”
98. OUR LORD DINES WITH CHIEF PHARISEE
( Luke 14: 1 – 24 )
Jesus Heals On The Sabbath – Jesus Heals a Sick Man
1 It happened one Sabbath, when He went for a meal at the house of one of the ruling Pharisees, that they were watching Him closely and carefully [hoping to entrap Him].
2 And there in front of Him was a man who had dropsy (extreme swelling).
3 And Jesus asked the lawyers and the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?”
4 But they kept silent. Then He took hold of the man and healed him, and sent him on his way.
5 Then He said to them, “Which one of you, having a son or an ox that falls into a well, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?”
6 And they were unable to reply to this.
Parable of the Guests – Humility and Hospitality
7 Now Jesus began telling a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been selecting the places of honor at the table, saying to them,
8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down [to eat] at the place of honor, since a more distinguished person than you may have been invited by the host,
9 and he who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your place,’ and then, in disgrace you proceed to take the last place.
10 But when you are invited, go and sit down [to eat] at the last place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; and then you will be honored in the presence of all who are at the table with you.
11 “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled [before others], and he who habitually humbles himself (keeps a realistic self-view) will be exalted.”
12 Jesus also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or wealthy neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment.
13 But when you give a banquet or a reception, invite the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind,
14 and you will be blessed because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (the just, the upright).”
The Parable of the Great Feast
15 When one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, “Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!”
Parable of the Dinner
16 But Jesus said to him, “A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many guests;
17 and at the dinner hour he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, because everything is ready now.’
18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have purchased a piece of land and I have to go out and see it; please consider me excused.’
19 Another one said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.’
20 And another said, ‘I have [recently] married a wife, and for that reason I am unable to come.’
21 So the servant came back and reported this to his master. Then [his master,] the head of the household, became angry [at the rejections of his invitation] and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and the lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and the disabled and the blind and the lame.’
22 And the servant [after returning] said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’
23 Then the master told the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled [with guests].
24 ‘For I tell you, not one of those who were invited [and declined] will taste my dinner.”
99. WHAT IS REQUIRED OF TRUE DISCIPLES
( Luke 14: 25 – 35 )
The Cost of Being a Disciple
25 Now large crowds were going along with Jesus; and He turned and said to them,
26 “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God]—he cannot be My disciple.
27 Whoever does not carry his own cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow after Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] cannot be My disciple.
28 For which one of you, when he wants to build a watchtower [for his guards], does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to finish it?
29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is unable to finish [the building], all who see it will begin to ridicule him,
30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish!’
31 Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one who is coming against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else [if he feels he is not powerful enough], while the other [king] is still a far distance away, he sends an envoy and asks for terms of peace.
33 So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not [carefully consider the cost and then for My sake] give up all his own possessions.
Worthless Salt
34 “Therefore, salt is good; but if salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned?
35 “It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.”
100. PARABLES OF LOST SHEEP, COIN, SON
( Luke 15: 1 – 32 )
The Lost Sheep
1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews] were coming near Jesus to listen to Him.
2 Both the Pharisees and the scribes began muttering and complaining, saying, “This man accepts and welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 So He told them this parable:
4 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost, [searching] until he finds it?
5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he gets home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’
7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
The Lost Coin
8 “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins [each one equal to a day’s wages] and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
9 And when she has found it, she calls together her [women] friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I found the lost coin!’
10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents [that is, changes his inner self—his old way of thinking, regrets past sins, lives his life in a way that proves repentance; and seeks God’s purpose for his life].”
The Prodigal Son
11 Then He said, “A certain man had two sons.
12 The younger of them [inappropriately] said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.’ So he divided the estate between them.
13 A few days later, the younger son gathered together everything [that he had] and traveled to a distant country, and there he wasted his fortune in reckless and immoral living.
14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to do without and be in need.
15 So he went and forced himself on one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16 He would have gladly eaten the [carob] pods that the pigs were eating [but they could not satisfy his hunger], and no one was giving anything to him.
17 But when he [finally] came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger!
18 ‘I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.
19 “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] treat me like one of your hired men.”’
20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe [for the guest of honor] and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet.
23 ‘And bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let us [invite everyone and] feast and celebrate;
24 for this son of mine was [as good as] dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field; and when he returned and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 So he summoned one of the servants and began asking what this [celebration] meant.
27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’
28 But the elder brother became angry and deeply resentful and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.
29 But he said to his father, ‘Look! These many years I have served you, and I have never neglected or disobeyed your command. Yet you have never given me [so much as] a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;
30 but when this [other] son of yours arrived, who has devoured your estate with immoral women, you slaughtered that fattened calf for him!’
31 The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32 ‘But it was fitting to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was [as good as] dead and has begun to live. He was lost and has been found.”
101. PARABLE OF UNJUST STEWARD
( Luke 16: 1 – 17 )
The Unjust Steward (Manager)
1 Now Jesus was also saying to the disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager [of his estate], and accusations [against this man] were brought to him, that this man was squandering his [master’s] possessions.
2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management [of my affairs], for you can no longer be [my] manager.’
3 The manager [of the estate] said to himself, ‘What will I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig [for a living], and I am ashamed to beg.
4 ‘I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from the management, people [who are my master’s debtors] will welcome me into their homes.’
5 So he summoned his master’s debtors one by one, and he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
6 He said, ‘A hundred measures of [olive] oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’
7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’
8 And his master commended the unjust manager [not for his misdeeds, but] because he had acted shrewdly [by preparing for his future unemployment]; for the sons of this age [the non-believers] are shrewder in relation to their own kind [that is, to the ways of the secular world] than are the sons of light [the believers].
9 And I tell you [learn from this], make friends for yourselves [for eternity] by means of the wealth of unrighteousness [that is, use material resources as a way to further the work of God], so that when it runs out, they will welcome you into the eternal dwellings.
10 “He who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little thing is also dishonest in much.
11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of earthly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?
12 And if you have not been faithful in the use of that [earthly wealth] which belongs to another [whether God or man, and of which you are a trustee], who will give you that which is your own?
13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand devotedly by the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon [that is, your earthly possessions or anything else you trust in and rely on instead of God].”
Some Sayings of Jesus
14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were sneering and ridiculing Him.
15 So He said to them, “You are the ones who declare yourselves just and upright in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts [your thoughts, your desires, your secrets]; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.
16 “The Law and the [writings of the] Prophets were proclaimed until John; since then the gospel of the kingdom of God has been and continues to be preached, and everyone tries forcefully to go into it.
17 Yet it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a letter of the Law to fail and become void.
102. PARABLE OF RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
( Luke 16: 19 – 31 )
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “Now there was a certain rich man who was habitually dressed in expensive purple and fine linen, and celebrated and lived joyously in splendor every day.
20 And a poor man named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, covered with sores.
21 He [eagerly] longed to eat the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.
22 Now it happened that the poor man died and his spirit was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom (paradise); and the rich man also died and was buried.
23 In Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom (paradise).
24 And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in severe agony in this flame.’
25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things [all the comforts and delights], and Lazarus likewise bad things [all the discomforts and distresses]; but now he is comforted here [in paradise], while you are in severe agony.
26 ‘And besides all this, between us and you [people] a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to come over from here to you will not be able, and none may cross over from there to us.’
27 So the rich man said, ‘Then, father [Abraham], I beg you to send Lazarus to my father’s house
28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may solemnly warn them and witness to them, so that they too will not come to this place of torment.’
29 But Abraham said, ‘They have [the Scriptures given by] Moses and the [writings of the] Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 He replied, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent [they will change their old way of thinking and seek God and His righteousness].’
31 “And he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to [the messages of] Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.”
103. JESUS TEACHES FORBEARANCE, ETC.
( Luke 17: 1 – 10 )
Sin
1 Jesus said to His disciples, “Stumbling blocks [temptations and traps set to lure one to sin] are sure to come, but woe (judgment is coming) to him through whom they come!
2 It would be better for him if a millstone [as large as one turned by a donkey] were hung around his neck and he were hurled into the sea, than for him to cause one of these little ones to stumble [in sin and lose faith].
3 Pay attention and always be on guard [looking out for one another]! If your brother sins and disregards God’s precepts, solemnly warn him; and if he repents and changes, forgive him.
4 “Even if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him [that is, give up resentment and consider the offense recalled and annulled].”
Faith
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith [our ability to confidently trust in God and in His power].”
6 And the Lord said, “If you have [confident, abiding] faith in God [even as small] as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree [which has very strong roots], ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea’; and [if the request was in agreement with the will of God] it would have obeyed you.
A Servant’s Duty
7 “Which of you who has a servant plowing or tending sheep will say to him when he comes in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat?’
8 Will he not instead say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and appropriately clothe yourself [for service] and serve me while I eat and drink; then afterward you may eat and drink?’
9 He does not thank the servant just because he did what he was ordered to do, does he?
10 “So you too, when you have done everything that was assigned and commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants [undeserving of praise or a reward, for we have not gone beyond our obligation]; we have merely done what we ought to do.”
104. CHRIST’S COMING WILL BE SUDDEN
( Luke 17: 20 – 37 )
Second Coming Foretold – The Coming of the Kingdom
20 Now having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He replied, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed or with a visible display;
21 nor will people say, ‘Look! Here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For the kingdom of God is among you [because of My presence].”
22 Then He said to the disciples, “The time will come when you will long to see [even] one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.
23 They will say to you, ‘Look [the Messiah is] there!’ or ‘Look [He is] here!’ Do not go away [to see Him], and do not run after them.
24 For just like the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, gives light to the other part of the sky, so [visible] will the Son of Man be in His day.
25 But first He must suffer many things and be repudiated and rejected and considered unfit [to be the Messiah] by this [unbelieving] generation.
26 And just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the time of [the second coming of] the Son of Man:
27 the people were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, [they were indifferent to God] until the day that Noah went into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
28 It was the same as it was in the days of Lot. People were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building [carrying on business as usual, without regard for their sins];
29 but on the [very] day that Lot left Sodom it rained fire and brimstone (burning sulfur) from heaven and destroyed them all.
30 It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.
31 On that day, whoever is on the housetop, with his belongings in the house, must not come down [and go inside] to take them out; and likewise whoever is in the field must not turn back.
32 Remember [what happened to] Lot’s wife [when she looked back]!
33 Whoever seeks to save his life will [eventually] lose it [through death], and whoever loses his life [in this world] will keep it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God].
34 I tell you, on that night [when Messiah comes again] there will be two [sleeping] in one bed; the one (the non-believer) will be taken [away in judgment] and the other (the believer) will be left.
35 There will be two women grinding [at the mill] together; the one (the non-believer) will be taken [away in judgment] and the other (the believer) will be left.
36 [“Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.”]
37 And they asked Him, “Where, Lord?” He answered, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will be gathered.”
105. IMPORTUNATE WIDOW: PHARISEE AND PUBLICAN PARABLES
( Luke 18: 1 – 14 )
Parables On Prayer – The Parable of the Widow and the Judge
1 Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart,
2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and had no respect for man.
3 There was a [desperate] widow in that city and she kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice and legal protection from my adversary.’
4 For a time he would not; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man,
5 yet because this widow continues to bother me, I will give her justice and legal protection; otherwise by continually coming she [will be an intolerable annoyance and she] will wear me out.’”
6Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says!
7And will not [our just] God defend and avenge His elect [His chosen ones] who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [in providing justice] on their behalf?
8 “I tell you that He will defend and avenge them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?”
The Parable of The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [posing outwardly as upright and in right standing with God], and who viewed others with contempt:
10 “Two men went up into the temple [enclosure] to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood [ostentatiously] and began praying to himself [in a self-righteous way, saying]: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men—swindlers, unjust (dishonest), adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
12 ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even raise his eyes toward heaven, but was striking his chest [in humility and repentance], saying, ‘God, be merciful and gracious to me, the [especially wicked] sinner [that I am]!’
14 “I tell you, this man went to his home justified [forgiven of the guilt of sin and placed in right standing with God] rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself [forsaking self-righteous pride] will be exalted.”
106. CONCERNING DIVORCE
( Matt 19: 3 – 12 )
Concerning Divorce
3 And Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
4 He replied, “Have you never read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE,
5 and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED INSEPARABLY TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’?
6 “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
7 The Pharisees said to Him, “Why then did Moses command us to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND HER AWAY?”
8 He said to them, “Because your hearts were hard and stubborn Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way.
9 “I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
10 The disciples said to Jesus, “If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.”
11 But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom [the capacity to receive] it has been given.
12 “For there are eunuchs who have been born that way from their mother’s womb [making them incapable of consummating a marriage]; and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men [for royal service]; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves so for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.”
107. JESUS BLESSES LITTLE CHILDREN
( Mark 10: 13 – 16 )
Jesus Blesses Little Children
13 People were bringing children to Him so that He would touch and bless them, but the disciples reprimanded them and discouraged them [from coming].
14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and He said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
15 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
16 And He took the children [one by one] in His arms and blessed them [with kind, encouraging words], placing His hands on them.
108. RICH YOUNG MAN
( Matt 19: 16 – 30 )
The Rich Young Ruler
16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what [essentially] good thing shall I do to obtain eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?”
17 Jesus answered, “Why are you asking Me about what is [essentially] good? There is only One who is [essentially] good; but if you wish to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Jesus, “Which commandments?” And Jesus answered, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL; YOU SHALL NOT GIVE FALSE TESTIMONY;
19 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF” [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].
20 The young man said to Him, “I have kept all these things [from my youth]; what do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered him, “If you wish to be perfect [that is, have the spiritual maturity that accompanies godly character with no moral or ethical deficiencies], go and sell what you have and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].”
22 But when the young man heard this, he left grieving and distressed, for he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God].
23 Jesus said to His disciples, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it is difficult for a rich man [who clings to possessions and status as security] to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24 “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man [who places his faith in wealth and status] to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were completely astonished and bewildered, saying, “Then who can be saved [from the wrath of God]?”
26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
The Disciples’ Reward
27 Then Peter answered Him, saying, “Look, we have given up everything and followed You [becoming Your disciples and accepting You as Teacher and Lord]; what then will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, in the renewal [that is, the Messianic restoration and regeneration of all things] when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you [who have followed Me, becoming My disciples] 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 children or farms for My name’s sake will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.
30 But many who are first [in this world] will be last [in the world to come]; and the last, first.
109. LABORERS IN THE VINEYARD
( Matt 20: 1 – 16 )
Laborers In The Vineyard
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of an estate who went out in the morning at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard.
2 When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour (9:00 a.m.) and saw others standing idle in the market place;
4 and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right (an appropriate wage).’ And they went.
5 He went out about the sixth hour (noon) and the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.), and did the same thing.
6 And about the eleventh hour (5:00 p.m.) he went out and found others standing around, and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’
7 They answered him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He told them, ‘You go into the vineyard also.’
8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last [to be hired] and ending with the first [to be hired].’
9 Those who had been hired at the eleventh hour (5:00 p.m.) came and received a denarius each [a day’s wage].
10 Now when the first [to be hired] came, they thought they would get more; but each of them also received a denarius.
11 When they received it, they protested and grumbled at the owner of the estate,
12 saying, ‘These men who came last worked [only] one hour, and yet you have made them equal [in wages] to us who have carried [most of] the burden and [worked in] the scorching heat of the day.’
13 But the owner of the estate replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
14 ‘Take what belongs to you and go, but I choose to give to this last man [hired] the same as I give to you.
15 ‘Am I not lawfully permitted to do what I choose with what is mine? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’
16 “So those who are last [in this world] shall be first [in the world to come], and those who are first, last.”
110. JESUS 3RD TIME FORETELLS DEATH
( Luke 18: 31 – 34 )
Jesus Speaks a Third Time about His Death
31 Then taking the twelve [disciples] aside, He said to them, “Listen carefully: we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that have been written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled and completed.
32 He will be betrayed and handed over to the Gentiles (Roman authorities), and will be mocked and ridiculed and insulted and abused and spit on,
33 and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and on the third day He will rise [from the dead].”
34 But the disciples understood none of these things [about the approaching death and resurrection of Jesus]. This statement was hidden from them, and they did not grasp the [meaning of the] things that were said [by Jesus].
111. JAMES’ AND JOHN’S AMBITIOUS REQUEST
( Mark 10: 35 – 45 )
Preferred Treatment Asked
35 James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”
36 And He replied to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
37 They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit [with You], one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory [Your majesty and splendor in Your kingdom].”
38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism [of suffering and death] with which I am baptized?”
39 And they replied to Him, “We are able.” Jesus told them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.
40 “But to sit on My right or left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared [by My Father].”
41 Hearing this, the [other] ten became indignant with James and John.
42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their powerful men exercise authority over them [tyrannizing them].
43 But this is not how it is among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever wishes to be first and most important among you must be slave of all.
45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
112. TWO BLIND MEN HEALED NEAR JERICHO
( Luke 18: 35 – 43 )
Bartimaeus Receives Sight
35 As He was approaching Jericho [on His way to Jerusalem], it happened that a blind man was sitting beside the road begging.
36 Now when he heard a crowd going by, he began to ask what this was [about].
37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
38 So he shouted out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David (Messiah), have mercy on me!”
39 Those who were leading the way were sternly telling him to keep quiet; but he screamed all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
40 Then Jesus stopped and ordered that the blind man be led to Him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
41 “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me regain my sight!”
42 Jesus said to him, “Regain your sight; your [personal trust and confident] faith [in Me] has made you well.”
43 Immediately he regained his sight and began following Jesus, glorifying and praising and honoring God. And all the people, when they saw it, praised God.
113. ZACCHEUS: PARABLE OF POUNDS
( Luke 19: 1 – 12, 14-15, 27-28 )
Jesus and Zaccheus – Zaccheus Converted
1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.
2 And there was a man called Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector [a superintendent to whom others reported], and he was rich.
3 Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, but he could not see because of the crowd, for he was short in stature.
4 So he ran on ahead [of the crowd] and climbed up in a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.
5 When Jesus reached the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”
6 So Zaccheus hurried and came down, and welcomed Jesus with joy.
7 When the people saw it, they all began muttering [in discontent], “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a [notorious] sinner.”
8 Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “See, Lord, I am [now] giving half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone out of anything, I will give back four times as much.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this household, because he, too, is a [spiritual] son of Abraham;
10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
11 While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they assumed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately [as soon as He reached the city].
12 So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to obtain for himself a kingdom, and [then] to return.
14 But his citizens [the residents of his new kingdom] hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to be a king over us.’
15 When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered,
27 “As for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them, bring them here and kill them in my presence.’”
28 After saying these things, Jesus went on ahead [of them], going up to Jerusalem.
114. JESUS ARRIVES AT BETHANY
(John 12: 1 – 11)
Mary Anoints Jesus
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom He had raised from the dead.
2 So they gave a supper for Him there. Martha was serving, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.
3 Then Mary took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, the one who was going to betray Him, said,
5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and [the money] given to the poor?”
6 Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor [for he had never cared about them], but because he was a thief; and since he had the money box [serving as treasurer for the twelve disciples], he used to pilfer what was put into it.
7 So Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep [the rest of] it for the day of My burial.
8 “You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”
The Plot against Lazarus
9 A large crowd of Jews learned that He was there [at Bethany]; and they came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
10 So the chief priests planned to kill Lazarus also,
11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away [from the teaching and traditions of the Jewish leaders] and believing in Jesus [following Him as Savior and Messiah].
VII ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM TO FOURTH PASSOVER
115. OUR LORD’S PUBLIC ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM
( Matt. 21: 1 – 11, 14 – 17 )
The Triumphal Entry
1 When they approached Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples [ahead],
2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and at once you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me.
3 “If anyone says anything to you, you should say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and without delay the owner will send them [with you].”
4 This happened so that what was spoken by the prophet would be fulfilled, saying:
5 “TELL THE DAUGHTER OF ZION (the people of Jerusalem),
‘BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU,
GENTLE AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY,
EVEN ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.’”
6 Then the disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them,
7 and they brought the donkey and the colt, and placed their coats on them; and Jesus sat on the coats.
8 Most of the crowd spread their coats on the road [as before a king], while others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road.
9 The crowds that went ahead of Him, and those that followed Him, were shouting [in praise and adoration], “Hosanna to the Son of David (Messiah);
BLESSED [praised, glorified] IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD;
Hosanna in the highest [heaven]!”
10 When He entered Jerusalem, all the city was trembling [with excitement], saying, “Who is this?”
11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”
14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in [the porticoes and courts of] the temple area, and He healed them.
15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful and miraculous things that Jesus had done, and heard the boys who were shouting in [the porticoes and courts of] the temple [in praise and adoration], “Hosanna to the Son of David (the Messiah),” they became indignant
16 and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus replied to them, “Yes; have you never read [in the Scripture], ‘OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED and PROVIDED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF’?”
17 Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.
116. THE BARREN FIG TREE
( Matt. 21: 18 – 19 )
Jesus Curses the Fig-Tree
18 Now early in the morning, as Jesus was coming back to the city, He was hungry.
19 Seeing a lone fig tree at the roadside, He went to it and found nothing but leaves on it; and He said to it, “Never again will fruit come from you.” And at once the fig tree withered.
117. BARREN FIG TREE WITHERS AWAY
( Matt. 21: 20 – 22 )
20 When the disciples saw it, they were astonished and asked, “How is it that the fig tree has withered away all at once?”
21 Jesus replied to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have faith [personal trust and confidence in Me] and do not doubt or allow yourself to be drawn in two directions, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen [if God wills it].
22 “And whatever you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
118. CHRIST’S AUTHORITY QUESTIONED
( Matt. 21: 23 – 27 )
Authority Challenged
23 When He entered the temple area, the chief priests and elders of the people came to Him as He was teaching and said, “By what [kind of] authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority [to exercise this power]?”
24 Jesus replied to them, “I will also ask you a question, and if you tell Me the answer, then I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25 “The baptism of John—from where did it come? From heaven [that is, ordained by God] or from men?” And they began debating among themselves [considering the implications of their answer], saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe John?’
26 “But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the [response of the] crowd; for they all regard John as a prophet.”
27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what [kind of] authority I do these things.”
119. THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS
( Matt. 21: 28 – 32 )
The Parable of the Two Sons
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’
29 And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and changed his mind and went.
30 Then the man came to the second son and said the same thing; and he replied, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did the will of the father?” The chief priests and elders replied, “The first one.” Jesus said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came to you [walking] in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even change your mind afterward and believe him [accepting what he proclaimed to you].
120. PARABLE OF WICKED HUSBANDMEN
( Matt. 21: 33 – 46 )
Parable of the Landowner – The Parable of the Tenants in the Vineyard
33 “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who PLANTED A VINEYARD AND PUT A WALL AROUND IT AND DUG A WINE PRESS IN IT, AND BUILT A TOWER, and rented it out to tenant farmers and went on a journey [to another country].
34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his [share of the] fruit.
35 But the tenants took his servants and beat one, and killed another, and stoned a third.
36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first time; and they treated them the same way.
37 Finally he sent his own son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son and have regard for him.’
38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This [man] is the heir; come on, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’
39 So they took the son and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
40 “Now when the owner of the vineyard comes back, what will he do to those tenants?”
41 They said to Him, “He will put those despicable men to a miserable end, and rent out the vineyard to other tenants [of good character] who will pay him the proceeds at the proper seasons.”
42 Jesus asked them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘THE [very] STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED and THREW AWAY,
HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE;
THIS IS THE LORD’s DOING,
AND IT IS MARVELOUS and WONDERFUL IN OUR EYES’?
43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to [another] people who will produce the fruit of it.
44 “And he who falls on this Stone will be broken to pieces; but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was talking about them.
46 And although they were trying to arrest Him, they feared the people, because they regarded Jesus as a prophet.
121. PARABLE OF KING’S SON’S MARRIAGE
( Matt. 22: 1 – 14 )
Parable Of The Marriage Feast
1 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying,
2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.
3 And he sent his servants to call those who had [previously] been invited to the wedding feast, but they refused to come.
4 “Then he sent out some other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Look, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fattened calves are butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.”’
5 But they paid no attention [they disregarded the invitation, treating it with contempt] and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.
6 The rest [of the invited guests] seized his servants and mistreated them [insulting and humiliating them] and killed them.
7 The king was enraged [when he heard this], and sent his soldiers and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding [feast] is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.
9 ‘So go to the main highways that lead out of the city, and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’
10 Those servants went out into the streets and gathered together all the people they could find, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests [sitting at the banquet table].
11 “But when the king came in to see the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed [appropriately] in wedding clothes,
12 and he said, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wearing the wedding clothes [that were provided for you]?’ And the man was speechless and without excuse.
13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the darkness outside; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].’
14 “For many are called (invited, summoned), but few are chosen.”
122. TRIBUTE TO CAESAR
( Matt. 22: 15 – 22 )
Tribute to Caesar – The Question about Payingh Taxes
15 Then the Pharisees went and conspired together plotting how to trap Him by [distorting] what He said.
16 They sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are sincere and that You teach the way of God truthfully, without concerning Yourself about [what] anyone [thinks or says of Your teachings]; for You are impartial and do not seek anyone’s favor [and You treat all people alike, regardless of status].
17 “Tell us then, what do You think? Is it permissible [according to Jewish law and tradition] to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”
18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, asked, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?
19 “Show me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius [a day’s wage].
20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”
21 They said, “[The Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
22 When they heard this, they were caught off guard, and they left Him and went away.
123. SADDUCCEES’ QUESTION ABOUT RESURRECTION
( Matt. 22: 23 – 33 )
The Question about Rising from Death – Jesus Answers the Sadducees
23 On that day some Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection [of the dead], came to Him and asked Him a question,
24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘IF A MAN DIES, LEAVING NO CHILDREN, HIS BROTHER AS NEXT OF KIN SHALL MARRY HIS WIDOW, AND RAISE CHILDREN FOR HIS BROTHER.’
25 Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother.
26 The second also [died childless], and the third, down to the seventh.
27 Last of all, the woman died.
28 “So in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her.”
29 But Jesus replied to them, “You are all wrong because you know neither the Scriptures [which teach the resurrection] nor the power of God [for He is able to raise the dead].
30 For in the resurrection neither do men marry nor are women given in marriage, but they are like angels in heaven [who do not marry nor produce children].
31 But as to the resurrection of the dead—have you not read [in the Scripture] what God said to you:
32 ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.
124. A LAWYER QUESTIONS JESUS
( Matt. 22: 34 – 40 )
The Great Commandment
34 Now when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced (muzzled) the Sadducees, they gathered together.
35 One of them, a lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law], asked Jesus a question, to test Him:
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 And Jesus replied to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’
40 “The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”
(Mark 12: 32-34)
32 The scribe said to Him, “Admirably answered, Teacher; You truthfully stated that HE IS ONE, AND THERE IS NO OTHER BUT HIM;
33 AND TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL THE HEART AND WITH ALL THE UNDERSTANDING AND WITH ALL THE STRENGTH, AND TO [unselfishly] LOVE ONE’s NEIGHBOR AS ONESELF, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 When Jesus saw that he answered thoughtfully and intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
125. HOW IS CHRIST DAVID’S SON?
( Matt. 22: 41 – 46 )
The Question about the Messiah
41 Now while the Pharisees were [still] gathered together, Jesus asked them a question:
42 “What do you [Pharisees] think of the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The son of David.”
43 Jesus asked them, “How is it then that David by the inspiration of the Spirit, calls Him ‘Lord,’ saying,
44 ‘THE LORD (the Father) SAID TO MY LORD (the Son, the Messiah),
“SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,
UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES UNDER YOUR FEET”’?
45 “So then, if David calls Him (the Son, the Messiah) ‘Lord,’ how is He David’s son?”
46 No one was able to say a word to Him in answer, nor from that day on did anyone dare to question Him again.
126. WARNING AGAINST PHARISEES’ EXAMPLE
(Matt. 23: 1 – 12)
Pharisaism Exposed Jesus Warns against the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees
1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples,
2 saying: “The scribes and Pharisees have seated themselves in Moses’ chair [of authority as teachers of the Law];
3 so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach [things], but do not practice them.
4 The scribes and Pharisees tie up heavy loads [that are hard to bear] and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger [to make them lighter].
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries (tefillin) wide [to make them more conspicuous] and make their tassels long.
6 They love the place of distinction and honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues [those on the platform near the scrolls of the Law, facing the congregation],
7 and to be greeted [with respect] in the market places and public forums, and to have people call them Rabbi.
8 But do not be called Rabbi (Teacher); for One is your Teacher, and you are all [equally] brothers.
9 Do not call anyone on earth [who guides you spiritually] your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
10 Do not let yourselves be called leaders or teachers; for One is your Leader (Teacher), the Christ.
11 But the greatest among you will be your servant.
12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be raised to honor.
127. WOES – LAMENTATION OVER JERUSALEM.
( Matt. 23: 13 – 39 )
Jesus Condemns Their Hypocrisy
Eight Woes
13 “But woe (judgment is coming) to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are [in the process of] entering to do so.
14 [Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you swallow up widows’ houses, and to cover it up you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.]
15. “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte (convert to Judaism), and when he becomes a convert, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.
16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears [an oath] by the sanctuary of the temple, that is nothing (non-binding); but whoever swears [an oath] by the gold of the temple is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].’
17 You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the sanctuary of the temple that sanctified the gold?
18 And [you scribes and Pharisees say], ‘Whoever swears [an oath] by the altar, that is nothing (non-binding), but whoever swears [an oath] by the offering on it, he is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].’
19 You [spiritually] blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering?
20 Therefore, whoever swears [an oath] by the altar, swears both by it and by everything [offered] on it.
21 And whoever swears [an oath] by the sanctuary of the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells within it.
22 And whoever swears [an oath] by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.
23 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you give a tenth (tithe) of your mint and dill and cumin [focusing on minor matters], and have neglected the weightier [more important moral and spiritual] provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the [primary] things you ought to have done without neglecting the others.
24 You [spiritually] blind guides, who strain out a gnat [consuming yourselves with miniscule matters] and swallow a camel [ignoring and violating God’s precepts]!
25 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence (unrestrained greed).
26 You [spiritually] blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the plate [examine and change your inner self to conform to God’s precepts], so that the outside [your public life and deeds] may be clean also.
27“Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.
28 So you, also, outwardly seem to be just and upright to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Jesus Predicts Their Punishment
29 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets and decorate and adorn the monuments of the righteous,
30 and you say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have joined them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’
31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.
32 Fill up, then, the [allotted] measure of the guilt of your fathers’ sins.
33 You serpents, you spawn of vipers, how can you escape the penalty of hell?
34 “Therefore, take notice, I am sending you prophets and wise men [interpreters, teachers] and scribes [men educated in the Mosaic Law and the writings of the prophets]; some of them you will kill and even crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues, and pursue and persecute from city to city,
35 so that on you will come the guilt of all the blood of the righteous shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah [the priest], the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
36 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, [the judgment for] all these things [these vile and murderous deeds] will come on this generation.
Jesus’ Love for Jerusalem – Lament over Jerusalem .
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who murders the prophets and stones [to death] those [messengers] who are sent to her [by God]! How often I wanted to gather your children together [around Me], as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.
38 Listen carefully: your house is being left to you desolate [completely abandoned by God and destitute of His protection]!
39 “For I say to you, you will not see Me again [ministering to you publicly] until you say, ‘BLESSED [to be celebrated with praise] IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!”
128. THE WIDOW’S MITE
( Mark 12: 41 – 44 )
The Widow’s Offering
41 And He sat down opposite the [temple] treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the treasury. And many rich people were putting in large sums.
42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a mite.
43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this poor widow put in [proportionally] more than all the contributors to the treasury.
44 “For they all contributed from their surplus, but she, from her poverty, put in all she had, all she had to live on.”
129. GREEKS DESIRE TO SEE JESUS
( John 12: 20 – 36 )
Greeks Seek Jesus
20 Now there were some Greeks (Gentiles) among those who were going up to worship at the feast;
21 these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
22 Philip came and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified and exalted.
24 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone [just one grain, never more]. But if it dies, it produces much grain and yields a harvest.
25 The one who loves his life [eventually] loses it [through death], but the one who hates his life in this world [and is concerned with pleasing God] will keep it for life eternal.
26 If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
Jesus Foretells His Death
27 “Now My soul is troubled and deeply distressed; what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour [of trial and agony]’? But it is for this [very] purpose that I have come to this hour [this time and place].
28 “[Rather, I will say,] ‘Father, glorify (honor, extol) Your name!’” Then a voice came from heaven saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
29 The crowd of people who stood nearby and heard the voice said that it had thundered; others said, “An angel has spoken to Him!”
30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.
31 Now judgment is upon this world [the sentence is being passed]. Now the ruler of this world (Satan) will be cast out.
32 “And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw all people to Myself [Gentiles, as well as Jews].”
33 He said this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.
34 At this the crowd answered Him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; how then can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
35 So Jesus said to them, “The Light is among you [only] a little while longer. Walk while you have the Light [keep on living by it], so that darkness will not overtake you. He who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going [he is drifting aimlessly].
36 “While you have the Light, believe and trust in the Light [have faith in it, hold on to it, rely on it], so that you may become sons of Light [being filled with Light as followers of God].”
130. REFLECTIONS ON UN BELIEF OF JEWS
( John 12: 37 – 50 )
The Unbelief of the People
37 Even though He had done so many signs (attesting miracles) right before them, yet they still did not believe and failed to trust Him
38 This was to fulfill what Isaiah the prophet said: “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR MESSAGE? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM (the power) OF THE LORD BEEN SHOWN (unveiled, revealed)?”
39 Therefore they could not believe, for Isaiah said again,
40 “HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, TO KEEP THEM FROM SEEING WITH THEIR EYES AND UNDERSTANDING WITH THEIR HEART AND BEING CONVERTED; OTHERWISE, I [their God] WOULD HEAL THEM.”
41 Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke about Him.
42 Nevertheless, even many of the leading men believed in Him [as Savior and Messiah], but because of the Pharisees they would not confess it, for fear that [if they acknowledged Him openly] they would be put out of the synagogue (excommunicated);
43 for they loved the approval of men more than the approval of God.
44 But Jesus loudly declared, “The one who believes and trusts in Me does not believe [only] in Me but [also believes] in Him who sent Me.
45 And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me.
46 I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes and trusts in Me [as Savior—all those who anchor their hope in Me and rely on the truth of My message] will not continue to live in darkness.
47 If anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but to save the world.
48 Whoever rejects Me and refuses to accept My teachings, has one who judges him; the very word that I spoke will judge and condemn him on the last day.
49 For I have never spoken on My own initiative or authority, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment regarding what to say and what to speak.
50 “I know that His commandment is eternal life. So the things I speak, I speak [in accordance with His exact instruction,] just as the Father has told Me.”
131. DESTRUCTION OF TEMPLE FORETOLD
( Matt. 24: 1 – 14 )
Signs Of Christ’s Return
1 Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to Him to call His attention to the [magnificent and massive] buildings of the temple.
2 And He said to them, “Do you see all these things? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, not one stone here will be left on another, which will not be torn down.”
Troubles and Persecutions
3 While Jesus was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, and said, “Tell us, when will this [destruction of the temple] take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end (completion, consummation) of the age?”
4 Jesus answered, “Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error].
5 For many will come in My name [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], saying, ‘I am the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ and they will mislead many.
6 You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age].
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish and the time of unprecedented trouble].
9 “Then they will hand you over to [endure] tribulation, and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
10 At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another.
11 Many false prophets will appear and mislead many.
12 Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold.
13 But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved.
14 This good news of the kingdom [the gospel] will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end [of the age] will come.
132. THE SIGNS OF CHRIST’S COMING
( Matt. 24: 15 – 42 )
The Awful Horror – Perilous Times
15 “So when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION [the appalling sacrilege that astonishes and makes desolate], spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy Place (let the reader understand),
16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains [for refuge].
17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things that are in his house [because there will not be enough time].
18 Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his coat.
19 And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
20 Pray that your flight [from persecution and suffering] will not be in winter, or on a Sabbath [when Jewish laws prohibit travel].
21 For at that time there will be a great tribulation (pressure, distress, oppression), such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will [again].
22 And if those days [of tribulation] had not been cut short, no human life would be saved; but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened.
23 Then if anyone says to you [during the great tribulation], ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it.
24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will provide great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones).
25 Listen carefully, I have told you in advance.
26 So if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out there, or, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms [of a house],’ 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 [in glory] of the Son of Man [everyone will see Him clearly].
28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will flock together.
The Glorious Return – The Coming of the Son of Man
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT PROVIDE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 And at that time the sign of the Son of Man [coming in His glory] will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth [and especially Israel] will mourn [regretting their rebellion and rejection of the Messiah], and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN with power and great glory [in brilliance and splendor].
31 And He will send His angels with A LOUD TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect (God’s chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Parable of the Fig Tree
32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its young shoots become tender and it puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near;
33 so you, too, when you see all these things [taking place], know for certain that He is near, right at the door.
34 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place.
35 Heaven and earth [as now known] will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
No One Knows the Day and Hour
36 “But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son [in His humanity], but the Father alone.
37 For the coming of the Son of Man (the Messiah) will be just like the days of Noah.
38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah entered the ark,
39 and they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be [unexpected judgment].
40 At that time two men will be in the field; one will be taken [for judgment] and one will be left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken [for judgment] and one will be left.
Be Ready for His Coming
42 “So be alert [give strict attention, be cautious and active in faith], for you do not know which day [whether near or far] your Lord is coming.
133. PARABLES – TEN VIRGINS, FIVE TALENTS
( Matt. 24: 43 – 51, 25: 1 – 30 )
43 But understand this: If the head of the house had known what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
44 Therefore, you [who follow Me] must also be ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.
The Faithful or the Unfaithful Servant
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has put in charge of his household to give the others [in the house] their food and supplies at the proper time?
46 Blessed is that [faithful] servant when his master returns and finds him doing so.
47 I assure you and most solemnly say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
48 But if that servant is evil and says in his heart, ‘My master is taking his time [he will not return for a long while],’
49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards;
50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour of which he is not aware,
51 and will cut him in two and put him with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].
Parable Of Ten Virgins
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible].
3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them,
4 but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps.
5 Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep.
6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’
7 Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them].
8 But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’
9 But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’
10 But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked.
11 Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’
12 But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’
13 Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].
The Parable of the Three Servants – Parable of the Talents
14 “For it is just like a man who was about to take a journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his possessions.
15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and then he went on his journey.
16 The one who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he [made a profit and] gained five more.
17 Likewise the one who had two [made a profit and] gained two more.
18 But the one who had received the one went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
20 And the one who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted to me five talents. See, I have [made a profit and] gained five more talents.’
21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’
22 “Also the one who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have [made a profit and] gained two more talents.’
23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’
24 “The one who had received one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a harsh and demanding man, reaping [the harvest] where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter seed.
25 ‘So I was afraid [to lose the talent], and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is your own.’
26 “But his master answered him, ‘You wicked, lazy servant, you knew that I reap [the harvest] where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter seed.
27 ‘Then you ought to have put my money with the bankers, and at my return I would have received my money back with interest.
28 ‘So take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’
29 “For to everyone who has [and values his blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely], more will be given, and [he will be richly supplied so that] he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have [because he has ignored or disregarded his blessings and gifts from God], even what he does have will be taken away.
30 And throw out the worthless servant into the outer darkness; in that place [of grief and torment] there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].
134. JUIDGMENT SCENES
(Matt. 25: 31 – 46)
The Judgment
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory and majesty and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
32 All the nations will be gathered before Him [for judgment]; and He will separate them from one another, as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats;
33 and He will put the sheep on His right [the place of honor], and the goats on His left [the place of rejection].
34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God, appointed to eternal salvation], 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 you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
36 I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me [with help and ministering care]; I was in prison, and you came to Me [ignoring personal danger].’
37 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 ‘And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?
39 ‘And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.’
41 “Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Leave Me, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels (demons);
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 you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me [with help and ministering care].’
44 Then they also [in their turn] will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
45 Then He will reply to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these [my followers], you did not do it for Me.’
46 “Then these [unbelieving people] will go away into eternal (unending) punishment, but those who are righteous and in right standing with God [will go, by His remarkable grace] into eternal (unending) life.”
135. BETHANY SUPPER – JUDAS TREACHERY
( Matt. 26: 1 – 16 )
The Plot To Kill Jesus
1 When Jesus had finished this discourse, He said to His disciples,
2 “You know that the Passover is coming in two days, and the Son of Man is to be betrayed and handed over for crucifixion.”
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of the [elegant home of the Jewish] high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
4 and plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him.
5 But they said, “It must not be during the festival (Passover), otherwise there might be a riot among the people.”
The Anointing in Bethany – Jesus Is Anointed.
6 Now when Jesus was [back] in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper,
7 A woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume and she poured it on Jesus’ head as He reclined at the table.
8 But when the disciples saw it they were indignant and angry, saying, “Why all this waste [of money]?
9 “For this perfume might have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 But Jesus, aware [of the malice] of this [remark], said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? She has done a good thing to Me.
11 For you always have the poor with you; but you will not always have Me.
12 When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.
13 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever this gospel [of salvation] is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her [for her act of love and devotion].”
Judas’ Bargain – Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus.
14 Then one of the twelve [disciples], who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver.
16 And from that moment Judas began looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus.
VII FOURTH PASSOVER UNTIL THE END OF THE JEWISH SABBATH
136. PREPARATION FOR THE PASSOVER.
( Luke 22: 7 – 13)
Preparing The Passover -The Last Passover
7 Then came the preparation day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us, so that we may eat it.”
9 They asked Him, “Where do You want us to prepare it?”
10 He replied, “When you have entered the city, a man carrying an earthen jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house that he enters.
11 “And say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’
12 “Then he will show you a large upstairs room, furnished [with carpets and dining couches]; prepare the meal there.”
13 They left and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.
137. THE PASSOVER MEAL
( Matt. 26: 20 )
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.
Who Is Greatest?
( Luke 22: 24 – 30 )
24 Now a dispute also arose among them as to which of them was regarded to be the greatest.
25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles have absolute power and lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’
26 But it is not to be this way with you; on the contrary, the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest [and least privileged], and the [one who is the] leader, like the servant.
27 For who is the greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
28 “You are those who have remained and have stood by Me in My trials;
29 and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you [the privilege]
30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
138. JESUS WASHES DISCIPLES’ FEET
( John 13: 1 – 20 )
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
1 Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come [and it was time] for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Having [greatly] loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [and continuously loves them with His perfect love] to the end (eternally).
2 It was during supper, when the devil had already put [the thought of] betraying Jesus into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son,
3 that Jesus, knowing that the Father had put everything into His hands, and that He had come from God and was [now] returning to God,
4 got up from supper, took off His [outer] robe, and taking a [servant’s] towel, He tied it around His waist.
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
5 Then He poured water into the basin and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which was tied around His waist.
6 When He came to Simon Peter, he said to Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied to him, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but you will [fully] understand it later.”
8 Peter said to Him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me [we can have nothing to do with each other].”
9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, [in that case, wash] not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus said to him, “Anyone who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, and is completely clean. And you [My disciples] are clean, but not all of you.”
11 For He knew who was going to betray Him; for that reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 So when He had washed their feet and put on His [outer] robe and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you?
13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is who I am.
14 So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet as well.
15 For I gave you [this as] an example, so that you should do [in turn] as I did to you.
16 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.
17 If you know these things, you are blessed [happy and favored by God] if you put them into practice [and faithfully do them].
18 I am not speaking of all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but [this has happened] in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled: ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS RAISED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME [as My enemy].’
19 From now on I am telling you [what will happen] before it occurs, so that when it does take place you may believe that I am He [who I say I am—the Christ, the Anointed, the Messiah].
20 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the one who receives and welcomes whomever I send receives Me; and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me [in that same way].”
139. JUDAS WITHDRAWS
( John 13: 21 – 35 )
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
21 After Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, one of you will betray Me and hand Me over.”
22 The disciples began looking at one another, puzzled and disturbed as to whom He could mean.
23 One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved (esteemed), was leaning against Jesus’ chest.
24 So Simon Peter motioned to him (John) and [quietly] asked [him to ask Jesus] of whom He was speaking.
25 Then leaning back against Jesus’ chest, he (John) asked Him [privately], “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I am going to give this piece [of bread] after I have dipped it.” So when He had dipped the piece of bread [into the dish], He gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.
27 After [Judas had taken] the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly [without delay].”
28 But no one reclining at the table knew why He said this to him.
29 Some thought that, since Judas [as the treasurer of the group] had the money box, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he was to give something to the poor.
30 After taking the piece of bread, he went out immediately; and it was night.
The New Commandment
31 So when Judas had left, Jesus said, “Now is [the time for] the Son of Man [to be] glorified, and God is glorified in Him;
32 [if God is glorified in Him,] God will also glorify Him (the Son) in Himself, and will glorify Him at once.
33 Little children, I am with you [only] a little longer. You will look for Me and, as I told the Jews, so I tell you now, ‘Where I am going, you are not able to come.’
34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another.
35 “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”
140. PETER’S FALL AND DISPERSION OF THE TWELVE FORETOLD
( Luke 22: 31 – 38 )
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 “Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has demanded permission to sift [all of] you like grain;
32 but I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter], that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith].”
33 And Peter said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death!”
34 Jesus said, “I say to you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will [utterly] deny three times that you know Me.”
35 And He said to them, “When I sent you out without a money belt and [provision] bag and [extra] sandals, did you lack anything?” They answered, “Nothing.”
36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money belt is to take it along, and also his [provision] bag, and he who has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.
37 “For I tell you that this [Scripture] which is written must be completed and fulfilled in Me: ‘AND HE WAS COUNTED WITH THE CRIMINALS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment [and is settled].”
38 They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”
141. THE LORD’S SUPPER
(Matt. 26: 26 – 29)
The Lord’s Supper Instituted
26 Now as they were eating Jesus took bread, and after blessing it, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”
27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you;
28 for this is My blood of the [new and better] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many [as a substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins.
29 “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
142. THE HOLY SPIRIT PROMISED
( John 14: 1 – 13 )
Jesus Comforts His Disciples – Jesus the Way to the Father
1 “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.
2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.
4 “And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way.”
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Jesus’ Oneness with the Father
7 “If you had [really] known Me, you would also have known My Father. From now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”
8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father and then we will be satisfied.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and you do not know Me yet, Philip, nor recognize clearly who I am? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you I do not say on My own initiative or authority, but the Father, abiding continually in Me, does His works [His attesting miracles and acts of power].
11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe [Me] because of the [very] works themselves [which you have witnessed].
12 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father.
13 And I will do whatever you ask in My name [as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son.
143. CHRIST THE TRUE VINE
( John 15: 1 – 27 )
Jesus Is The Vine—Followers Are Branches
1 “I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit].
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have given you [the teachings which I have discussed with you].
4 Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.
5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.
8 My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.
9 I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you].
10 If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.
11 I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing.
Disciples’ Relation to Each Other
12 “This is My commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you.
13 No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.
14 You are my friends if you keep on doing what I command you.
15 I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you [My] friends, because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from My Father.
16 You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you.
17 This [is what] I command you: that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another.
The World’s Hatred – Disciples’ Relation to the World
18 “If the world hates you [and it does], know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love [you as] its own and would treat you with affection. But you are not of the world [you no longer belong to it], but I have chosen you out of the world. And because of this the world hates you.
20 Remember [and continue to remember] that I told you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
21 But they will do all these [hurtful] things to you for My name’s sake [because you bear My name and are identified with Me], for they do not know the One who sent Me.
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have [the guilt of their] sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23 The one who hates Me also hates My Father.
24 If I had not done among them the works (attesting miracles) which no one else [ever] did, they would not have [the guilt of their] sin; but now [the fact is that] they have both seen [these works] and have hated Me [and continue to hate Me] and My Father as well.
25 But [this is so] that the word which has been written in their Law would be fulfilled, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’
26 “But when the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father, He will testify and bear witness about Me.
27 But you will testify also and be My witnesses, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
144. PERSECUTION FORETOLD ETC.
( John 16: 1 – 33 )
Jesus’ Warning
1 “I have told you these things so that you will not stumble or be caught off guard and fall away.
2 They will put you out of the synagogues and make you outcasts. And a time is coming when whoever kills you will think that he is offering service to God.
3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me.
4 I have told you these things [now], so that when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them. I did not say these things to you at the beginning, because I was with you.
The Work of the The Holy Spirit
5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’
6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts [and taken complete possession of them].
7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you].
8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment:
9 about sin [and the true nature of it], because they do not believe in Me [and My message];
10 about righteousness [personal integrity and godly character], because I am going to My Father and you will no longer see Me;
11 about judgment [the certainty of it], because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned.
12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now.
13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future].
14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you.
15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.
Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Foretold
16 “A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.”
17 Some of His disciples said to one another, “What does He mean when He tells us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I am going to My Father’?”
18 So they were saying, “What does He mean when He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.”
19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask Him, so He said to them, “Are you wondering among yourselves about what I meant when I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’?
20 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, that you will weep and grieve [in great mourning], but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
21 A woman, when she is in labor, has pain because her time [to give birth] has come; but when she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of her joy that a child has come into the world.
22 So for now you are in grief; but I will see you again, and [then] your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away from you your [great] joy.
Prayer Promises
23 In that day you will not [need to] ask Me about anything. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name [as My representative], He will give you.
24 Until now you have not asked [the Father] for anything in My name; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete.
25 “I have told you these things in figurative language (veiled language, proverbs); the hour is now coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.
26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I am not saying to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf [because it will be unnecessary];
27 for the Father Himself [tenderly] loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from the Father.
28 “I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
29 His disciples said, “Ah, now You are speaking plainly to us and not in figures of speech!
30 “Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; because of this we believe [without any doubt] that you came from God.”
31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now [at last] believe?
32 Take careful notice: an hour is coming, and has arrived, when you will all be scattered, each to his own home, leaving Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
145. CHRIST’S LAST PRAYER WITH DISCIPLES
( John 17: 1 – 26 )
The High Priestly Prayer – Jesus Prays for His Disciples
1 When Jesus had spoken these things, He raised His eyes to heaven [in prayer] and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, so that Your Son may glorify You.
2 Just as You have given Him power and authority over all mankind, [now glorify Him] so that He may give eternal life to all whom You have given Him [to be His—permanently and forever].
3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom You have sent.
4 I have glorified You [down here] on the earth by completing the work that You gave Me to do.
5 Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory and majesty that I had with You before the world existed.
6 “I have manifested Your name [and revealed Your very self, Your real self] to the people whom You have given Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept and obeyed Your word.
7 Now [at last] they know [with confident assurance] that all You have given Me is from You [it is really and truly Yours].
8 For the words which You gave Me I have given them; and they received and accepted them and truly understood [with confident assurance] that I came from You [from Your presence], and they believed [without any doubt] that You sent Me.
9 I pray for them; I do not pray for the world, but for those You have given Me, because they belong to You;
10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and [all things that are] Yours are Mine; and I am glorified in them.
11 I am no longer in the world; yet they are still in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, so that they may be one just as We are.
12 While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and protected them, and not one of them was lost except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.
The Disciples in the World
13 But now I am coming to You; and I say these things [while I am still] in the world so that they may experience My joy made full and complete and perfect within them [filling their hearts with My delight].
14 I have given to them Your word [the message You gave Me]; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world and do not belong to the world, just as I am not of the world and do not belong to it.
15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but that You keep them and protect them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth.
18 Just as You commissioned and sent Me into the world, I also have commissioned and sent them (believers) into the world.
19 For their sake I sanctify Myself [to do Your will], so that they also may be sanctified [set apart, dedicated, made holy] in [Your] truth.
20 “I do not pray for these alone [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for [all] those who [will ever] believe and trust in Me through their message,
21 that they all may be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe [without any doubt] that You sent Me.
Their Future Glory
22 I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one, just as We are one;
23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected and completed into one, so that the world may know [without any doubt] that You sent Me, and [that You] have loved them, just as You have loved Me.
24 Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given to Me [as Your gift to Me], may be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
25 “O just and righteous Father, although the world has not known You and has never acknowledged You [and the revelation of Your mercy], yet I have always known You; and these [believers] know [without any doubt] that You sent Me;
26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them [overwhelming their heart], and I [may be] in them.”
146. THE AGONY IN GETHSEMANE
( Matt. 26: 30, 36 – 46 )
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane (olive-press), and He told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
37 And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John], He began to be grieved and greatly distressed.
38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and stay awake and keep watch with Me.”
39 And after going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible [that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour?
41 “Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words once more.
45 Then He returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Listen, the hour [of My sacrifice] is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners [whose way and nature is to oppose God].
46 “Get up, let us go. Look, My betrayer is near!”
147. JESUS BETRAYED AND TAKEN PRISONER
(Matt. 26: 47 – 56)
Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest
47 As Jesus was still speaking, Judas [Iscariot], one of the twelve [disciples], came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, [who came as representatives] from the chief priests and elders of the people.
48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”
49 Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Greetings (rejoice), Rabbi!” And he kissed Him [in a deliberate act of betrayal].
50 Jesus said to Judas, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then they came and seized Jesus and arrested Him.
51 And one of those who were with Jesus reached out and drew his sword, and struck [Malchus] the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.
52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place; for all those who habitually draw the sword will die by the sword.
53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will immediately provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
54 “How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?”
55 At that moment Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Day after day I used to sit in the porches and courts of the temple teaching, and you did not arrest Me.
56 “But all this has taken place so that the Scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.
148. JESUS BEFORE CAIAPHAS: PETER DENIES
( John 18: 12 – 18, 25 – 27 )
Jesus before Annas
12 So the cohort and their commander and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him,
13 and led Him to Annas first; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.
Jesus before Caiaphas
14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.
Peter Denies Jesus
15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, so he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the [residence of the] high priest;
16 but Peter was standing outside at the door. So the other disciple (John), who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter inside.
17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”
18 Now the servants and the officers had made a fire of coals, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. And Peter was with them, standing and warming himself.
Peter Denies Jesus Again
25 Now Simon Peter was [still] standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”
26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you with Him in the garden?”
27 So Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.
149. JESUS BEFORE CAIAPHAS AND SANHEDREIN
( Mark 14: 55 – 65 )
Jesus before His Accusers
55 Now the chief priests and the entire Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) were trying to obtain testimony against Jesus [which they could use] to have Him [condemned and] executed, but they were not finding any.
56 For many [people] were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimonies were not consistent.
57 Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying,
58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple (sanctuary) that was made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’”
59 Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
60 The high priest stood up and came forward and asked Jesus, “Have You no answer to give [in response] to what these men are testifying against You?”
61 But Jesus kept silent and gave no answer at all. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the Blessed One?”
62 Jesus said, “I am; and you will [all] see THE SON OF MAN SEATED [with authority] AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER (the Father), and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”
63 Then tearing his robe [to express his indignation], the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses?
64 “You have heard the blasphemy [that is, His claim to be the Son of God]. What is your decision?” And they all condemned Him to be [guilty and] deserving of death.
65 And some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy [by telling us who hit you]!” Then the officers took custody of Him and struck him in the face.
150. JESUS LED AWAY TO PILATE
( John 18: 28 – 38 )
Jesus before Pilate
28 Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium (governor’s palace). Now it was early and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium so that they would not be [ceremonially] unclean, but might [be able to] eat [and participate in the Feast of Unleavened Bread which began after] the Passover [supper].
29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”
30 They answered, “If He were not a criminal, we would not have handed Him over to you [for judgment].”
31 Then Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and judge Him according to your own law.” The Jews said, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.”
32 This was to fulfill the word which Jesus had spoken to indicate by what manner of death He was going to die.
33 So Pilate went into the Praetorium again, and called Jesus and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
34 Jesus replied, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?”
35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and their chief priests have handed You over to me. What have You done [that is worthy of death]?”
36 Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not of this world [nor does it have its origin in this world]. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting [hard] to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this world.”
37 So Pilate said to Him, “Then You are a King?” Jesus answered, “You say [correctly] that I am a King. This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth [who is a friend of the truth and belongs to the truth] hears and listens carefully to My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him [scornfully], “What is truth?”
151. JESUS BEFORE HEROD
( Luke 23: 6 – 12 )
Jesus before Herod
6 When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.
7 And when he learned that He belonged to the jurisdiction of Herod [Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee], he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time because of what he had heard about Him, and was hoping to see some [miraculous] sign [even something spectacular] done by Him.
9 And he questioned Him at some length, but Jesus made no reply.
10 The chief priests and the scribes were standing there, continually accusing Him heatedly.
11 And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking and ridiculing Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate.
12 Now that very day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other—before this they had been enemies.
152. PILATE SEEKS TO RELEASE JESUS, JEWS DEMAND BARABBAS
( Luke 23: 13 – 25 )
Pilate Seeks Jesus’ Release
13 Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14 and said to them, “You brought this man before me as one who corrupts and incites the people to rebellion. After examining Him before you, I have found no guilt in this Man regarding the charges which you make against Him.
15 No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and indeed, He has done nothing to deserve death.
16 “Therefore I will punish Him [to teach Him a lesson] and release Him.”
17 [Now he was obligated to release to them one prisoner at the Feast.]
18 But they [loudly] shouted out all together, saying, “Away with this Man, and release Barabbas to us!”
19 (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection that happened in the city, and for murder.)
20 Pilate addressed them again, wanting to release Jesus,
21 but they kept shouting out, “Crucify, crucify Him!”
22 A third time he said to them, “Why, what wrong has He done? I have found no guilt [no crime, no offense] in Him demanding death; therefore I will punish Him [to teach Him a lesson] and release Him.”
23 But they were insistent and unrelenting, demanding with loud voices that Jesus be crucified. And their voices began to prevail and accomplish their purpose.
24 Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted.
25 And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he handed over Jesus to their will.
153. JESUS IS MOCKED
( Matt. 27: 27 – 30 )
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and they gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him.
28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on Him [as a king’s robe].
29 And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and put a reed in His right hand [as a scepter]. Kneeling before Him, they ridiculed Him, saying, “Hail (rejoice), King of the Jews!”
30 They spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him repeatedly on the head.
154. PILATE AFTER AGAIN SEEKING TO RELEASE HIM, DELIVERS HIM TO BE CRUCIFIED
( John 19: 4 – 16 )
4 Then Pilate came out again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him [no crime, no cause for an accusation].”
5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, and Pilate said to them, “Look! The Man!”
6 When the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify [Him]! Crucify [Him]!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him [no crime, no cause for an accusation].”
7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law [regarding blasphemy], and according to that law He should die, because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.”
8 So when Pilate heard this said, he was [even] more alarmed and afraid.
9 He went into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus did not answer him.
10 So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?”
11 Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me at all if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the sin and guilt of the one who handed Me over to you is greater [than your own].”
12 As a result of this, Pilate kept making efforts to release Him, but the Jews kept screaming, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar! Anyone who makes himself out [to be] a king opposes Caesar [and rebels against the emperor]!”
13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.
14 Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover [week], and it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Look, your King!”
15 But they shouted, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”
16 Then he handed Him over to them to be crucified.
155. JUDAS HANGS HIMSELF
( Matt. 27: 3 – 10 )
Judas’ Remorse
3 When Judas, His betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was gripped with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders,
4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They replied, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!”
5 And throwing the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary, he left; and went away and hanged himself.
6 The chief priests, picking up the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put these in the treasury [of the temple], because it is the price of blood.”
7 So after consultation they used the money to buy the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers.
8 Therefore that piece of ground has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
9 Then the words spoken by Jeremiah the prophet were fulfilled: “AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF HIM ON WHOM A PRICE HAD BEEN SET by the sons of Israel;
10 AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED ME.”
156. JESUS LED AWAY TO BE CRUCIFIED
( Luke 23: 26 – 33 )
Simon Bears the Cross
26 When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in [to the city] from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.
27 Following Him was a large crowd of the people, including women who were mourning and wailing for Him.
28 But Jesus, turning toward them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not given birth, and the breasts that have never nursed.’
30 Then they will begin TO SAY TO THE MOUNTAINS, ‘FALL ON US!’ AND TO THE HILLS, ‘COVER US!’
31 “For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be executed with Him.
The Crucifixion
33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.
157. INSCRIPTION ON THE CROSS
( John 19: 19 – 24 )
19 Pilate also wrote an inscription [on a placard] and put it on the cross. And it was written: “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
20 And many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.
21 Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’; but, ‘He said, “I am King of the Jews.”
22 Pilate replied, “What I have written I have written [and it remains written].”
23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer clothes and made four parts, a part for each soldier, and also the tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven [in one piece] from the top throughout.
24 So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it will be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture, “THEY DIVIDED MY OUTER CLOTHING AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS.”
158. MOCKED ON THE CROSS.
( Luke 23: 35 – 37, 39 – 43 )
35 Now the people stood by, watching; but even the rulers ridiculed and sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others [from death]; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) of God, His Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him and [cruelly] offering Him sour wine,
37 and sarcastically saying, “If you are [really] the King of the Jews, save Yourself [from death]!”
39 One of the criminals who had been hanged [on a cross beside Him] kept hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us [from death]!”
40 But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41 “We are suffering justly, because we are getting what we deserve for what we have done; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”
42 And he was saying, “Jesus, [please] remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”
43 Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
159. CARE FOR MOTHER
( John 19: 25 – 27 )
25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, His mother’s sister [Salome], Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 So Jesus, seeing His mother, and the disciple whom He loved (esteemed) standing near, said to His mother, “[Dear] woman, look, [here is] your son!”
27 Then He said to the disciple (John), “Look! [here is] your mother [protect and provide for her]!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
160. DARKNESS. CHRIST DIES.
( Matt. 27: 45 – 50 )
45 Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.).
46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud [agonized] voice, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”
47 When some of the bystanders there heard it, they began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.”
48 Immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, soaked it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink.
49 But the rest said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him [from death].”
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud [agonized] voice, and gave up His spirit [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan].
161. VEIL RENT. GRAVES OPENED.
(Matt. 27: 51 – 56)
51 And [at once] the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split apart.
52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints (God’s people) who had fallen asleep [in death] were raised [to life];
53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city (Jerusalem) and appeared to many people.
54 Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, they were terribly frightened and filled with awe, and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
55 There were also many women there looking on from a distance, who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him.
56 Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and [Salome] the mother of Zebedee’s sons [James and John].
162. THE TAKING DOWN FROM THE CROSS. THE BURIAL.
( John 19: 31 – 42 )
Care of the Body of Jesus
31 Since it was the day of Preparation [for the Sabbath], in order to prevent the bodies from hanging on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high holy day) the Jews asked Pilate to have their legs broken [to hasten death] and the bodies taken away.
32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man, and of the other who had been crucified with Him.
33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced
34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came [flowing] out.
35 And he (John, the eyewitness) who has seen it has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also [who read this] may believe.
36 For these things took place to fulfill the Scripture, “NOT A BONE OF HIS SHALL BE BROKEN.”
37 And again another Scripture says, “THEY SHALL LOOK AT HIM WHOM THEY HAVE PIERCED.”
Jesus Is Buried
38 And after this, Joseph of Arimathea—a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews—asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away His body.
39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, [weighing] about a hundred [Roman] pounds.
40 So they took Jesus’ body and bound it in linen wrappings with the fragrant spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
41 Now there was a garden at the place where He was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb [cut out of solid rock] in which no one had yet been laid.
42 Therefore, because of the Jewish day of Preparation, and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
163. THE WATCH AT THE SEPULCHRE
( Matt. 27: 62 – 66 )
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, that is, the day after the [day of] preparation [for the Sabbath], the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled before Pilate,
63 and said, “Sir, we have remembered that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise [from the dead].’
64 “Therefore, give orders to have the tomb made secure and safeguarded until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception [the reporting of His resurrection] will be worse than the first [the reporting that He is the Messiah].”
65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard [of soldiers]; go [with them], make the tomb as secure as you know how.”
66 So they went and made the tomb secure, and along with [stationing] a guard of soldiers [to be on watch] they set a seal on the stone.
IX RESURRECTION, APPEARANCES AND ASCENSION
164. MORNING OF THE RESURRECTION
( Matt. 28: 1 – 4 )
Jesus Is Risen!
1 Now after the Sabbath, near dawn of the first day of the week,
2 And a great earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone [from the opening of the tomb], and sat on it.
3 The angel’s appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow.
4 The guards shook, paralyzed with fear [at the sight] of him and became like dead men [pale and immobile].
165. VISIT OF WOMEN: MARY RETURNS
( Luke 24: 1 – 3 )
1 On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared [to finish anointing the body].
2 And they found the [large, circular] stone rolled back from the tomb,
3 but when they went inside, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
166. VISION OF ANGELS IN SEPULCHRE
( Luke 24: 4 – 8 )
4 While they were perplexed and wondering about this, suddenly, two men in dazzling clothing stood near them;
5 and as the women were terrified and were bowing their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why are you looking for the living One among the dead?
6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee,
7 saying that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise [from death to life].”
8 And they remembered His words,
167. JESUS MEETS RETURNING WOMEN
( Matt. 28: 8 – 10 )
8 So the women left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell [the good news to] the disciples.
9 And as they went, suddenly, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” And they went to Him and took hold of His feet [in homage] and worshiped Him [as the Messiah].
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me [just as I promised].”
168. PETER AND JOHN RUN TO SEPULCHRE
( John 20: 3 – 10 )
3 So Peter and the other disciple left, and they were going to the tomb.
4 And the two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and arrived at the tomb first.
5 Stooping down and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings [neatly] lying there; but he did not go in.
6 Then Simon Peter came up, following him, and went into the tomb and saw the linen wrappings [neatly] lying there;
7 and the [burial] face-cloth which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the [other] linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself.
8 So the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, went in too; and he saw [the wrappings and the face-cloth] and believed [without any doubt that Jesus had risen from the dead].
9 For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went back again to their own homes.
169. OUR LORD SEEN BY MARY AT SEPULCHRE
( John 20: 11 – 18 )
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary [who had returned] was standing outside the tomb sobbing; and so, as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb;
12 and she saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She told them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
14 After saying this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? For whom are you looking?” Supposing that He was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you are the one who has carried Him away from here, tell me where you have put Him, and I will take Him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher).
17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene came, reporting to the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that He had said these things to her.
170. REPORT OF THE WATCH
( Matt. 28: 11 – 15 )
The Report of the Guard
11 While they were on their way, some of the [Roman] guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.
12 And when the chief priests had gathered with the elders and had consulted together [to develop a plan of deception], they gave a sufficient sum of money [as a bribe] to the soldiers,
13 and said, “You say this, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’
14 “And if the governor (Pilate) hears about it, we will calm him down and keep you out of trouble.”
15 So they took the money [they were paid for lying] and did as they were instructed; and this [fabricated] story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to the present day.
171. OUR LORD SEEN BY PETER. TWO GOING TO EMMAUS.
( Luke 24: 13 – 35 )
The Road to Emmaus
13 And then, that very day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place.
15 While they were talking and discussing it, Jesus Himself came up and began walking with them.
16 But their eyes were [miraculously] prevented from recognizing Him.
17 Then Jesus asked them, “What are you discussing with one another as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking brokenhearted.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, “Are you the only stranger visiting Jerusalem who is unaware of the things which have happened here in these [recent] days?”
19 He asked, “What things?” And they replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people,
20 and how the chief priests and our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and crucified Him.
21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel and set our nation free. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.
22 And also some of the women among us shocked us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,
23 and they did not find His body. Then they came back, saying that they had even seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive!
24 “Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women had said, but they did not see Him.”
25 Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to trust and believe in everything that the prophets have spoken!
26 “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and [only then to] enter His glory?”
27 Then beginning with Moses and [throughout] all the [writings of the] prophets, He explained and interpreted for them the things referring to Himself [found] in all the Scriptures.
28 Then they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as if He were going farther.
29 But they urged Him [not to go on], saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening, and the day has just about ended.” So He went inside to stay with them.
30 And it happened that as He reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them.
31 Then their eyes were [suddenly] opened [by God] and they [clearly] recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.
32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and opening the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up that very hour and went back to Jerusalem, and found the eleven [apostles] gathered together and those who were with them,
34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon [Peter]!”
35 They began describing in detail what had happened on the road, and how Jesus was recognized by them when He broke the bread.
172. JESUS APPEARS TO THE APOSTLES, THOMAS BEING ABSENT.
( Luke 24: 36 – 49 )
Other Appearances
36 While they were talking about this, Jesus Himself [suddenly] stood among them and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
37 But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a spirit.
38 And He said, “Why are you troubled, and why are doubts rising in your hearts?
39 “Look at [the marks in] My hands and My feet, [and see] that it is I Myself. Touch Me and see; a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.”
40 After saying this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
41 While they still did not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
42 They gave Him a piece of broiled fish,
43 and He took it and ate it in front of them.
44 Then He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you, everything which has been written about Me in the Law of Moses and the [writings of the] Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
45 Then He opened their minds to [help them] understand the Scriptures,
46 and said, “And so it is written, that the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
47 and that repentance [necessary] for forgiveness of sins would be preached in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
49 “Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you; but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed (fully equipped) with power from on high.”
173. JESUS APPEARS TO THE APOSTLES, THOMAS BEING PRESENT
( John 20: 24 – 29 )
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve [disciples], who was called Didymus (the twin), was not with them when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the marks of the nails, and put my finger into the nail prints, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”
26 Eight days later His disciples were again inside the house, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, though the doors had been barred, and stood among them and said, “Peace to you.”
27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place it in My side. Do not be unbelieving, but [stop doubting and] believe.”
28 Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, do you now believe? Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, and favored by God] are they who did not see [Me] and yet believed [in Me].”
174. APOSTLES RETURN TO GALILEE. JESUS APPEARS AT SEA OF TIBERIAS.
( John 21: 1 – 24 )
Jesus Appears At The Sea Of Galilee – Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples
1 After this Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee). And He did it in this way:
2 Simon Peter, and Thomas who is called Didymus (the twin), and Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, as well as [John and James] the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said, “And we are coming with you.” So they went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.
4 As morning was breaking, Jesus [came and] stood on the beach; however, the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 So Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish [to eat along with your bread]?” They answered, “No.”
6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat (starboard) and you will find some.” So they cast [the net], and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great catch of fish.
7 Then that disciple (John) whom Jesus loved (esteemed) said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer tunic (for he was stripped for work) and threw himself into the sea [and swam ashore].
8 But the other disciples came in the small boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.
9 So when they got out on the beach, they saw a charcoal fire set up and fish on it cooking, and bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three [of them]; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus Provides
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew [without any doubt] that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples, after He had risen from the dead.
Jesus and Peter – The Love Motivation
15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do—with total commitment and devotion]?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 Again He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with total commitment and devotion]?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you [really] love Me [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend]?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
Our Times Are in His Hand
18 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and walked wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and arms, and someone else will dress you, and carry you where you do not wish to go.”
19 Now He said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And after saying this, He said to him, “Follow Me [walk the same path of life that I have walked]!”
Jesus and the Other Disciple
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His chest at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?”
21 So when Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man [what is in his future]?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I want him to stay alive until I come [again], what is that to you? You follow Me!”
23 So this word went out among the brothers that this disciple (John) was not going to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not going to die, but only, “If I want him to stay alive until I come [again], what is that to you?”
24 This is the same disciple who is testifying to these things and has recorded them; and we know [without any doubt] that his testimony is true.
175. JESUS MEETS THE APOSTLES AND 500 BRETHREN ON THE MOUNTAIN IN GALILEE.
( Matt. 28: 16 – 20 )
The Great Commission
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
17 And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted [that it was really He].
18 Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
176. THE ASCENSION.
( Luke 24: 50 – 53 )
The Ascension
50 Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51 While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven.
52 And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy [fully understanding that He lives and that He is the Son of God];
53 and they were continually in the temple blessing and praising God.
177. CONCLUSION OF JOHN’S GOSPEL.
( John 20: 30, 31 21: 25 )
Purpose of Writing this Gospel
30 There are also many other signs (attesting miracles) that Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
31 but these have been written so that you may believe [with a deep, abiding trust] that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of God; and that by believing [and trusting in and relying on Him] you may have life in His name.
25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were recorded one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
