Contents
| Introduction |
| List of Events |
| Combined Gospel Text |
| List of Parables |
| Teaching |
| Miracles |
| Evangelism |
| Warnings |
| Conflict |
Introduction
[Top]
The truth given in each of the Gospels is here combined
and is intended to enrich our understanding by having all the known details
of each event together. However it should not be used to replace the reading
of the individual gospel texts, which each have their own God-given
characteristics.
It also attempts to arrange the events in chronological order. While every
care has been taken to try to ensure accuracy, some of the chronology must
remain uncertain. e.g. the precise order of what happened on resurrection
morning. For any errors I ask your forgiveness and hope that they will not
distract the reader from the wonder of the greatest miracle in the whole
history of man - the coming of the Son of God to die for us and to rise again
in triumph, his purpose achieved! Our life redeemed and God's justice
satisfied.
Beside such truth, the question of whether Jesus cleared the Temple more
than once seems somewhat insignificant. John tells of the incident in chapter
2, but his writing is not consistently chronological. Here it has been combined
with the other narratives in a single event in the last week. Likewise, the
anointing of Jesus, which Luke records in chapter 7, has been dovetailed
into the event two days before the Last Supper. (Luke may well have used
it as an excellent example of Jesus being the 'friend of sinners', which
is context of this chapter.)
The introductions (Mk 11 Lu 11-4) and the ending (Jn
2124) have been omitted as they are specific to their own gospels.
For clarity on a few occasions the NIV text has been slightly changed. e.g.
'they' has been replaced by '[the women]'. These changes are enclosed in
[] brackets. The NIV text already uses () brackets. e.g. 'Thomas (called
Didymus) ...'
The table of List of Events is not part of the NIV text.
List of Events
[Events]
In the Beginning Jn 11-5,14
[Events]
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made;
without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that
life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness
has not understood it.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,
the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and
truth.
Birth of John Foretold Lu 15-25
[Events]
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who
belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also
a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing
all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no
children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in
years.
Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before
God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to
go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the
burning of incense came, all the assembled worshippers were praying outside.
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of
the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped
with fear. But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your
prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are
to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many
will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the
Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled
with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he
bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the
spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous - to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord."
Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and
my wife is well along in years." The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand
in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell
you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until
the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come
true at their proper time."
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed
so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They
realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to
them but remained unable to speak.
When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his
wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.
"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his
favour and taken away my disgrace among the people."
Mary believes Gabriel Lu 126-38
[Events]
In the sixth month [of Elizabeth's pregnancy], God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin." The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth> Lu 139-56
[Events]
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of
Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth
heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled
with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among
women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favoured,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your
greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is
she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God
my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From
now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done
great things for me - holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear
him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his
arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has
brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has
filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has
helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his
descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
John Baptist Born Lu 157-66
[Events]
When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy,
and they shared her joy.
On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going
to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said,
"No! He is to be called John." They said to her, "There is no one among your
relatives who has that name." Then they made signs to his father, to find
out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet,
and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John." Immediately
his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising
God. The neighbours were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country
of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this
wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the
Lord's hand was with him.
Zechariah Prophesies Lu 167-80
[Events]
Zechariah [the father of John] was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed
his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his
servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation
from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us - to show mercy to
our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father
Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve
him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will
go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the
knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of
the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from
heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to
guide our feet into the path of peace."
And the child [John] grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the
desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.
The Genealogy of Jesus Math 11-17
[Events]
A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham
[who] was
the father of Isaac,
the father of Jacob,
the father of Judah and his brothers,
the father of Perez and Zerah whose mother was Tamar,
the father of Hezron,
the father of Ram,
the father of Amminadab,
the father of Nahshon,
the father of Salmon,
the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
the father of Jesse,
the father of King David,
the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
the father of Rehoboam,
the father of Abijah,
the father of Asa,
the father of Jehoshaphat,
the father of Jehoram,
the father of Uzziah,
the father of Jotham,
the father of Ahaz,
the father of Hezekiah,
the father of Manasseh,
the father of Amon,
the father of Josiah,
the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was
the father of Shealtiel,
the father of Zerubbabel,
the father of Abiud,
the father of Eliakim,
the father of Azor,
the father of Zadok,
the father of Akim,
the father of Eliud,
the father of Eleazar,
the father of Matthan,
the father of Jacob,
the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is
called Christ.
Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen
from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.
[Matthew traces the line of Joseph, the Legal father]
Lu 323b-38
[Jesus] was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,
the son of Heli,
the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi,
the son of Melki,
the son of Jannai,
the son of Joseph,
the son of Mattathias,
the son of Amos,
the son of Nahum,
the son of Esli,
the son of Naggai,
the son of Maath,
the son of Mattathias,
the son of Semein,
the son of Josech,
the son of Joda,
the son of Joanan,
the son of Rhesa,
the son of Zerubbabel,
the son of Shealtiel,
the son of Neri,
the son of Melki,
the son of Addi,
the son of Cosam,
the son of Elmadam,
the son of Er,
the son of Joshua,
the son of Eliezer,
the son of Jorim,
the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi,
the son of Simeon,
the son of Judah,
the son of Joseph,
the son of Jonam,
the son of Eliakim,
the son of Melea,
the son of Menna,
the son of Mattatha,
the son of Nathan,
the son of David,
the son of Jesse,
the son of Obed,
the son of Boaz,
the son of Salmon,
the son of Nahshon,
the son of Amminadab,
the son of Ram,
the son of Hezron,
the son of Perez,
the son of Judah,
the son of Jacob,
the son of Isaac,
the son of Abraham,
the son of Terah,
the son of Nahor,
the son of Serug,
the son of Reu,
the son of Peleg,
the son of Eber,
the son of Shelah,
the son of Cainan,
the son of Arphaxad,
the son of Shem,
the son of Noah,
the son of Lamech,
the son of Methuselah,
the son of Enoch,
the son of Jared,
the son of Mahalalel,
the son of Kenan,
the son of Enosh,
the son of Seth,
the son of Adam,
the son of God.
[Luke traces the blood line through Mary]
[This is same as the legal line down to David]
[God cursed the blood line after Jehoiakim. Jer 2230]
[and thus could not be part of Jesus' blood line]
Joseph Obeys the Angel Math 118-25
[Events]
Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together,
she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her
husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace,
he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this,
an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of
David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived
in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are
to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet
[Isaiah]: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and
they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave
birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Jesus Born in Bethlehem Lu 21-7
[Events]
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken
of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while
Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to
Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of
David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married
to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave
birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in
a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Shepherds See and Rejoice Lu 28-20
[Events]
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over
their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory
of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said
to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will
be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born
to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find
a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company
of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to
one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened,
which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and
Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him,
they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But
Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they
had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Simeon Sees the Saviour Lu 221-35
[Events]
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus,
the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. When the time
of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph
and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written
in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the
Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law
of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.
He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon
him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die
before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the
temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him
what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised
God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your
servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared
in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for
glory to your people Israel." The child's father and mother marvelled at
what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:
"This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many
hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
Anna - "the Redeemer has come!" Lu 236-39a
[Events]
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Joseph and Mary [did] everything required by the Law of the Lord.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod,
Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has
been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to
worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem
with him. So he called together all the people's chief priests and teachers
of the law, and asked them where the Christ was to be born." In Bethlehem
in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 'But
you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers
of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my
people Israel'." Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them
the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
"Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report
to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they
had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where
the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to
the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and
worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts
of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned
to their country by another route.
Herod, the Murderer, Fails Math 213-23 Lu 239b
[Events]
When [the Magi] had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.
"Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay
there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill
him." So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left
for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled
what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious,
and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who
were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned
from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for
her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt
and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel,
for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead." So he got up,
took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he
heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod,
he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to
the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth.
So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a
Nazarene."
Jesus Answers their Questions Lu 240-52
[Events]
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the
grace of God was upon him. Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the
Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the
Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents
were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were
unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a
day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When
they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After
three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed
at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were
astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this
Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." "Why were you searching
for me," he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house." But
they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his
mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom
and stature, and in favour with God and men.
John 'Prepares the Way' Jn 16-13
[Events]
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
Lu 31-3 Mk 14
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar - when Pontius Pilate
was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch
of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene - during the high
priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah
in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching
the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, [and] a baptism of repentance
for the forgiveness of sins.
Math 31-10 Mk 12,3,5-6 Lu 37-15
In those days the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem
went out to him confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan
River. He preached in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom
of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
"A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make
straight paths for him'." John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he
had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region
of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan
River.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was
baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee
from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not
think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell
you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe
is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce
good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
John 'Calls in the Desert' Math 311,12 Mk 17,8 Lu
34-6,16-18 Jn 115-28
[Events]
John testifies concerning [Jesus] saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He
who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me'. From the fullness
of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law
was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one
has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side,
has made him known."
Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and
Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed
freely, "I am not the Christ." They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you
Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." Finally
they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent
us. What do you say about yourself?" John replied in the words of Isaiah
the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling 'in the desert, prepare the way
for the Lord, make straight the way for the Lord. Every valley shall be filled
in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation'."
Now some Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, "Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" "I baptize with
water for repentance," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not
know. He is the one who comes after me and is more powerful than I, the thongs
of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie or carry. He will baptise you with
the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he
will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning
up the chaff with unquenchable fire." This all happened at Bethany on the
other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Jesus is Baptised Math 313-17 Mk 19-11 Lu 321-23a
[Events]
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John
tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come
to me." Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this
to fulfil all righteousness." Then John consented. And as he was praying
and Jesus went up out of the water, heaven was torn open, and John saw the
Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice came
from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.
Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness Math 41-11
Mk 112,13 Lu 41-13
[Events]
At once, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was
led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting
forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone
to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread
alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'."
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest
point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself
down from here. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning
you to guard you carefully, and they will lift you up in their hands, so
that you will not strike your foot against a stone'." Jesus answered him,
"It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him in an instant
all the kingdoms of the world. "I will give you all their authority and
splendour, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want
to. So if you will bow down and worship me, it will all be yours." he said,
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the
Lord your God, and serve him only'." When the devil had finished all this
tempting, he left him until an opportune time and angels came and attended
him.
"Look, the Lamb of God!" Jn 129-34
[Events]
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
First Disciples See Jesus Jn 135-51
[Events]
The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw
Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" When the two disciples
heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following
and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher),
"where are you staying?" "Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they
went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about
the tenth hour. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard
what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did
was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that
is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said,
"You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated,
is Peter).
Next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him,
"Follow me." Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.
Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about
in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the
son of Joseph." "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael
asked. "Come and see," said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching,
he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."
"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you
were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." Then Nathanael declared,
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus said,
"You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see
greater things than that." He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall
see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son
of Man."
Wedding at Cana Jn 21-12
[Events]
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was
there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."
"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet
come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Nearby
stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing,
each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill
the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them,
"Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so,
and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into
wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who
had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone
brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests
have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee.
He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his
disciples. There they stayed for a few days.
Passover in Jerusalem Jn 213,18-25
[Events]
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
The Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove
your authority to do all this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple,
and I will raise it again in three days." The Jews replied, "It has taken
forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three
days?" But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised
from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed
the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the
miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not
entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony
about man, for he knew what was in a man.
Nicodemus and New Birth Jn 31-21
[Events]
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish
ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are
a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous
signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus declared, "I
tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot
enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I
tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born
of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives
birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born
again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot
tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born
of the Spirit." "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. "You are Israel's teacher,"
said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth,
we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still
you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things
and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly
things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven
- the Son of Man.
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be
lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God
so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son
into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever
believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned
already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness
instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates
the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will
be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that
it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
John's Testimony Jn 322-36
[Events]
After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside,
where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing
at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were
constantly coming to be baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.)
An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew
over the matter of ceremonial washing.
They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the
other side of the Jordan - the one you testified about - well, he is baptizing,
and everyone is going to him."
To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.
You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent
ahead of him.' The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends
the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears
the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must
become greater; I must become less. The one who comes from above is above
all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one
from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies
to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. The man
who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom
God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever
believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not
see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
John Imprisoned Math 412 Mk 114,15 Lu 319,20 Jn 41-3
[Events]
But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's
wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them
all: he locked John up in prison.
The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than
John, although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.
When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
Jesus at Sychar Jn 44-42
[Events]
Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called
Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's
well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by
the well. It was about the sixth hour.
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give
me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan
woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you
ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered
her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink,
you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." "Sir,"
the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where
can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who
gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his
flocks and herds?" Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be
thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.
Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling
up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that
I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."
He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back." "I have no husband,"
she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband.
The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not
your husband. What you have just said is quite true." "Sir," the woman said,
"I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped on this mountain,
but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."
Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship
the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship
what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the
Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will
worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipper
the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit
and in truth." The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is
coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus declared,
"I who speak to you am he."
Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with
a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with
her?" Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said
to the people, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could
this be the Christ?" They came out of the town and made their way toward
him.
Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something." But he said to
them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." Then his disciples
said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?" "My food," said
Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you
not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes
and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws
his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower
and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying 'One sows and another
reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have
done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labour."
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's
testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came
to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because
of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, "We no longer
believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and
we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world."
Official's Son Healed Jn 443-54
[Events]
After the two days he left for Galilee. (Now Jesus himself had pointed out
that a prophet has no honour in his own country.) When he arrived in Galilee,
the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem
at the Passover Feast, for they also had been there. Once more he visited
Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a
certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. When this man heard
that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him
to come and heal his son, who was close to death. "Unless you people see
miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."
The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies." Jesus replied,
"You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed.
While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his
boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better,
they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour." Then
the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said
to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed. This
was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea
to Galilee.
Rejected at Nazareth Lu 414-30
[Events]
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, proclaiming the good
news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent
and believe the good news!" and news about him spread through the whole
countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day
he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The
scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the
place where it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has
anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom
for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour." Then he rolled up the scroll,
gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue
were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture
is fulfilled in your hearing." All spoke well of him and were amazed at the
gracious words that came from his lips.
"Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked. Jesus said to them, "Surely you will
quote this proverb to me: 'Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown
what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.' I tell you the truth," he
continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there
were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three
and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah
was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of
Sidon. And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the
prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed - only Naaman the Syrian."
All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got
up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which
the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. But he walked right
through the crowd and went on his way.
Lives in Capernaum Math 413-17
[Events]
Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, a town in Galilee by the
lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali. [This was] to fulfil what was said
through the prophet Isaiah: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way
to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - the people living
in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow
of death a light has dawned."
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven
is near."
Jesus Calls 4 Fishermen to Follow Math 418-22
Mk 116-20 Lu 51-11
[Events]
One day as Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, with the people crowding
around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two
boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into
one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a
little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water,
and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked
hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will
let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number
of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled their partners
in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats
so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus'
knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all
his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so
were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
[Another day] As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the
lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will
make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on from there, he saw the other brothers, James son of Zebedee and
his brother John in a boat preparing their nets. Without delay Jesus called
them, so they pulled their boats up on shore and they left their father Zebedee
in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Many Healed Mk 121-28 Lu 431-37 Jn 212
[Events]
They went down to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the
synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because
he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried
out at the top of his voice, "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!" Then
the demon shook the man violently throwing him down before them all and [he]
came out with a shriek without injuring him. The people were all so amazed
that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching - and with authority!
He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." News about him spread
quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Math 814-15 Mk 129-31 Lu 438,39
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the
home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a high fever,
and they asked Jesus to help her. So he went to her, rebuked the fever and
it left her. Taking her [by the] hand, he helped her up and she began to
wait on them.
Math 816,17 Mk 132-34 Lu 440,41
That evening after sunset the whole town gathered at the door. The people
brought to Jesus all the sick and laying his hands on each one, he healed
them. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He
took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." Moreover many who were demon possessed came and with a word he drove out the evil spirits. Many shouted,
"You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to
speak, because they knew he was the Christ.
Jesus Prays and Travels Mk 135-38 Lu 442-44
[Events]
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the
house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions
went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone
is looking for you!" and they tried to keep him from leaving them. Jesus
replied, "Let us go somewhere else - to the nearby villages - I must preach
the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that
is why I was sent."
Math 423-25 Mk 139
So Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the
good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the
people and driving out demons. News about him spread all over Syria, and
people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering
severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralysed,
and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem,
Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Who are Blessed? Math 51-12
[Events]
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His
disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all
kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same
way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Lu 617-26
[Jesus] went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of
his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea,
from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear
him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were
cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from
him and healing them all. Looking at his disciples, he said:
Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and
reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap
for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.
For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
But
Woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.
Salt and Light Math 513-16
[Events]
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
The Law and the Prophets Math 517-20
Lu 1616,17
[Events]
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law."
Settle Differences Math 521-26 Lu 1257-59
[Events]
"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."
Adultery Math 527-30
[Events]
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."
Divorce Math 531,32 Lu 1618
[Events]
"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery."
Oaths Math 533-37
[Events]
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."
An Eye for an Eye Math538-42
[Events]
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
Love your Enemies Math 543-48 Lu 627-36
[Events]
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.'
But I tell you: Love your enemies, do good to those that hate you pray for
those who persecute you, bless those who curse you that you may be sons of
your Father in heaven. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the
other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your
tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to
you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even the tax
collectors and 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to
those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do
that. If you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others?
Do not even pagans do that? And if you lend to those from whom you expect
repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,'
expecting to be repaid in full.
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting
to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons
of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful,
just as your Father is merciful. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and
the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Be perfect,
therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Give Secretly Math 61-4
[Events]
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Prayer Math 65-15 Math 77-12 Lu 111-13
[Events]
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray
standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I
tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you
pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.
Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they
will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your
Father knows what you need before you ask him."
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his
disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his
disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it
is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we
also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from the evil one.' For if you forgive men when they sin against you,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men
their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him
at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend
of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'
Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked,
and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.'
I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is
his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him
as much as he needs.
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives;
he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which
of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? Or if he asks for bread,
will give him a stone? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give
good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give
good gifts and the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! So in everything, do
to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and
the Prophets."
Fasting Math 616-18
[Events]
"When you fast, do not look sombre as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
The Lamp of the Body Math 622-24
Lu 1133-36 Lu 1613
[Events]
"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you. No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
Do not Worry, Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven Math 619-21 Math 625-34 Lu 1222-34
[Events]
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or
drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important
than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of
the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly
Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by
worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very
little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow.
They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his
splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass
of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will
he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying,
'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For
the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that
you need them. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry
about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Do not be afraid, little
flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in and steal. But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Sell your
possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will
not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted. For where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Judging Others Math 71-6 Lu 637-42
[Events]
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others,
you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to
you. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will
be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with
the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
He also told them this parable: Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they
not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone
who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no
attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother,
'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail
to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out
of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your
brother's eye.
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you
do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to
pieces."
Narrow and Wide Gates Math 713,14
[Events]
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Recognised by Fruit Math 715-23 Lu 643-45
[Events]
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.
Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every
good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. Each tree is
recognized by its own fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad
tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is
cut down and thrown into the fire. People do not pick figs from thornbushes,
or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored
up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored
up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Thus,
by their fruit you will recognize them.
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say
to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in
your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them
plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
Wise and Foolish Builders Math 724-29
Lu 646-49
[Events]
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show
you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into
practice. He is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain
came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house;
yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone
who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like
a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams
rose, the winds blew and beat against that house, and the moment the torrent
struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his
teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers
of the law.
Leper Healed, but Disobeyed Math 81-4
Mk 141-44 Lu 512-16
[Events]
When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man
with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "Lord, if you are willing,
you can make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand
and touched the man. "I am willing," he said, "Be clean!" Immediately the
leprosy left him and he was cured.
Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: "See that you don't tell
this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices
that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." Instead
he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news, so that crowds
of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. As a result,
Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside. He often withdrew
to lonely places and prayed. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Centurion's Servant Healed Math 85-13
Lu 71-10
[Events]
When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he
entered Capernaum. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly,
was lying sick at home paralysed, in terrible suffering and about to die.
The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking
him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly
with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation
and has built our synagogue." Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him."
So he went with them and when not far from the house the centurion sent friends
to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have
you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy
to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself
am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,'
and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do
this,' and he does it."
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following
him, he said, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with
such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the
west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown
outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant
well.
Widow of Nain's Son Raised Lu 711-17
[Events]
Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out - the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
Jesus Heals Many Math 814-17 Mk 129-34 Lu 438-44
[Events]
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he went to her, took her hand, rebuked the fever and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”
Cost of Following Jesus Math 818-22
Lu 957-62
[Events]
When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
Two Possessed Gadarenes Math 828-34
Mk 51-20 Lu 826-39
[Events]
They went across the lake to the region of the Gadarenes When Jesus got out
of the boat at the other side two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs
met him. They lived in the tombs and wore no clothes. [One of them] was so
violent that no one could pass that way. Many times the demons had seized
him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had
broken his chains. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day
among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front
of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus,
Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me! Have you
come here to torture us before the appointed time?" For Jesus had commanded
the evil spirit to come out of the man. Then Jesus asked him, "What is your
name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." And he begged
Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area into the Abyss. A
large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged
Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." He gave them
permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd,
about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and
were drowned.
Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside,
and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus,
they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting
there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had
seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man - and
told about the pigs as well. Then all the people of the region of the Gadarenes
asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got
into the boat and left. The man from whom the demons had gone out begged
to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return home and tell how
much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how
much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Paralytic Healed and Forgiven Math 91-8
Mk 21-12 Lu 517-26
[Events]
Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and a few days later entered Capernaum.
Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee
and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord
was present for him to heal the sick. So many gathered that there was no
room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.
Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since
they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening
in the roof and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralysed
man was lying on right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he
said to the paralytic, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,
"Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins
but God alone?" Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they
were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why do you entertain
evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your
sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that
you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...."
He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."
The man got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. Immediately
he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home
praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God who had given such
authority to men. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable
things today."
Matthew Called Math 99-13
Mk 213-17 Lu 527-32
[Events]
As Jesus went on from there beside the lake a large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. He saw a man named Matthew (Levi son of Alphaeus) sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up left everything and followed him. Then he held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with them. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Fasting or Dancing Math 914-17 Mk 218-22 Lu 533-39
[Events]
Now when Jesus returned, a large crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, "How is it that we and the disciples of the Pharisees are often fasting, but yours go on eating and drinking?" Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and in those days they will fast. He told them this parable: No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, 'The old is better.'"
Ruler's Dead Daughter Raised. Woman's Bleeding Stopped Math 918-26 Mk 521-43 Lu 840-56
[Events]
While he was saying this one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came
there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him,
"My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that
she will be healed and live." She was 12 years old and his only daughter.
So Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who
had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal
under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of
getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind
him in the crowd and touched the edge of his cloak, because she thought,
"If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." Immediately her bleeding
stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At
once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in
the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" When they all denied it, Peter
said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you." But Jesus
said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me." Then
the woman, knowing what had happened to her, and seeing that she could not
go unnoticed, came and fell at his feet. Trembling with fear, she told him
the whole truth and how she had been instantly healed. He said to her, "Daughter,
take heart your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your
suffering."
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the
synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Don't bother the teacher
any more?" Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't
be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed." When they came to the home
of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing
loudly. He said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is
not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him, knowing that the child was
dead. After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and
Peter, John and James and went in where the child was. He took her by the
hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to
you, get up!"). Immediately her spirit returned and the girl stood up and
walked around. Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents
were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know
what had happened, and then told them to give her something to eat. News
of this spread through all that region.
Blind See and Mute Speak Math
927-34
[Events]
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have
mercy on us, Son of David!" When he had gone indoors, the blind men came
to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes,
Lord," they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your
faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned
them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." But they went out and spread
the news about him all over that region.
While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk
was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had
been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever
been seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons
that he drives out demons."
Few Workers for Harvest Math 935-38
[Events]
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Apostles Appointed Math 101-4 Mk 313-19 Lu 612-16
[Events]
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, Jesus called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve - designating them apostles - that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew the tax collector, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
12 Instructed and Sent Out Math 105-17 Mk 66b-13 91-6
[Events]
To these twelve Jesus gave them power and authority to drive out all demons
and to cure diseases. And he sent them out two by two to preach the kingdom
of God and to heal the sick. He told them, "Do not go among the Gentiles
or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the
sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely
you have received, freely give. Take nothing for the journey except a staff
- no bread, no bag, no money, no gold or silver or copper in your belts.
Wear sandals but not an extra tunic; for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever
town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at
his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting.
If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your
peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words,
shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you
the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of
judgment than for that town. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.
Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard
against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in
their synagogues."
So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel that
people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people
with oil and healed them.
Cost of being Witnesses Math
1018-33 Lu 121-11
[Events]
Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were
trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying:
"Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will
not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight,
and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed
from the roofs. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings
as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not
worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given
what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father
speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father
his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to
death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the
end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.
I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel
before the Son of Man comes.
A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is
enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.
If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members
of his household! So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed
that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I
tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear,
proclaim from the roofs.
I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after
that can do no more. They cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the
One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the
ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your
head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also
acknowledge him before my Father in heaven and before the angels of God.
But he who disowns me before men I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but
anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When
you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about
how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit
will teach you at that time what you should say."
The Rich Fool Lu 1213-21
[Events]
Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."' "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Separation, Not Peace Math 1034-42
Math 111 Lu 1249-53
[Events]
"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. A man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
Interpreting the Times Lu 1254-59
[Events]
He said to the crowd: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time? "Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."
Repent or Perish Lu 131-9
[Events]
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans
whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you
think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans
because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you
too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam
fell on them - do you think they were more guilty than all the others living
in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard,
and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to
the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming
to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why
should it use up the soil?' 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one
more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next
year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"
72 Sent Out and Return Math 1125-27
Lu 101-12,16 Lu 1017-24
[Events]
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two
ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them,
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest,
therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you
out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do
not greet anyone on the road. When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to
this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if
not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever
they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from
house to house. When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before
you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near
you.' But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets
and say, 'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off
against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.' I tell you,
it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. He who
listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects
me rejects him who sent me."
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit
to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome
all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice
that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in
heaven."
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise
you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things
from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father,
for this was your good pleasure. All things have been committed to me by
my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows
who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal
him." Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the
eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted
to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did
not hear it."
Jesus and John Baptist Math 112-19
Lu 718-35
[Events]
When John heard what Christ was doing, he sent two of his disciples to ask
him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil
spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he told the messengers,
"Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight,
the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead
are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man
who does not fall away on account of me."
After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John:
"What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If
not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those
who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to
see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one
about whom it is written: 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will
prepare your way before you.' I tell you the truth: Among those born of women
there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least
in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist
until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful
men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He
who has ears, let him hear.
To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in
the marketplaces and calling out to others: 'We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' For John
came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' The Son
of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and "sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by her
actions." (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus'
words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized
by John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose
for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
Kingdom of God Preached Lu 81-3
[Events]
After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
Woe to Unrepentant Cities Math 1120-24
Lu 1012-15
[Events]
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
Rest for the Weary Math 1128-30
[Events]
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Cripple at Bethesda Healed Jn 51-15
[Events]
Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now
there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called
Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great
number of disabled people used to lie - the blind, the lame, the paralysed.
One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus
saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a
long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" "Sir," the invalid replied,
"I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While
I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me." Then Jesus said
to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he
picked up his mat and walked.
The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jews said to the
man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry
your mat." But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up
your mat and walk.'" So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you
to pick it up and walk?" The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for
Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him
at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or
something worse may happen to you." The man went away and told the Jews that
it was Jesus who had made him well.
What the Father Does, Jesus Did Jn 516-47
[Events]
So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted
him. Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day,
and I, too, am working." For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to
kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God
his own Father, making himself equal with God. Jesus gave them this answer:
"I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only
what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also
does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your
amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the
Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to
whom he is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has
entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honour the Son just as they
honour the Father. He who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father,
who sent him. I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him
who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over
from death to life.
I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will
hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the
Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.
And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. Do
not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves
will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to
live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just,
for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. If I testify about myself,
my testimony is not valid. There is another who testifies in my favour, and
I know that his testimony about me is valid. You have sent to John and he
has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention
it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and
you chose for a time to enjoy his light. I have testimony weightier than
that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and
which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. And the Father who
sent me has himself testified concerning me.
You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell
in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You diligently study the
Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These
are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to
have life.
I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have
the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father's name, and you
do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept
him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make
no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? But do not think
I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your
hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote
about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to
believe what I say?"
Mary and Martha Lu 1038-42
[Events]
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, [to Jerusalem] he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Crippled Woman Healed on Sabbath Lu 1310-17
[Events]
On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath." The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?" When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath Math 121-21
Mk 223-312 Lu 61-11
[Events]
One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began
to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels.
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are
doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath." He answered, "Haven't you read what
David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of
God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread - which was not
lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. The Sabbath was made for
man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.
Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple
desecrate the day and yet are innocent? I tell you that one greater than
the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy,
not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of
Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man was there
whose right hand was shrivelled. Some were looking for a reason to accuse
Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" He said to
them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath,
will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a
man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then
he said to the man, "Get up and stand up in front of everyone." So he got
up and stood there. Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath:
to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.
He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn
hearts, said to the man,"Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and
it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees
went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
Aware of this, Jesus withdrew with his disciples from that place to the lake.
When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem,
Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. Because
of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to
keep the people from crowding him. For he had healed many, so that those
with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. Whenever the evil spirits
saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."
But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was. This was to fulfill
what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "Here is my servant whom I have
chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and
he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.
In his name the nations will put their hope."
Jesus, not Beelzebub Math
1222-37 Math 1243-45 Mk 320-30 Lu 1114-28
[Events]
Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples
were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to
take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." Then they brought
him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so
that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said,
"Could this be the Son of David?" Others tested him by asking for a sign
from heaven.
But when the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who had come down from
Jerusalem heard this, they said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub for it is
only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."
Jesus knowing their thoughts, called them and said, "How can Satan drive
out Satan? Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every
city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives
out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them
out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the
Spirit of God (or by the finger of God), then the kingdom of God has come
upon you.
Or again, when a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions
are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes
away the armour in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils. How can
anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he
first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking
rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.'
When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it
goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in
and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.
That is how it will be with this wicked generation. I tell you the truth,
all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. Anyone who speaks
a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against
the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to
come.
Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit
will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers,
how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the
heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored
up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up
in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment
for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be
acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed
is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you." He replied, "Blessed rather
are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
The Sign of Jonah Math 1238-42 Lu 1129-32
[Events]
As the crowds increased some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said
to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you." He answered,
"This is a wicked and adulterous generation. It asks for a miraculous sign
but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah
was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of
Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
As Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this
generation. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation
and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one
greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment
with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth
to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here."
The Pharisees and Scribes are Warned Lu 1137-54
[Events]
When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised. Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But give what is inside [the dish] to the poor, and everything will be clean for you."
"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practised the latter without leaving the former undone.
"Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the market-places.
"Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it."
One of the experts in the law [a Scribe] answered him, "Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also." Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.
"Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your forefathers who killed them. So you testify that you approve of what your forefathers did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. Because of this, God in his wisdom said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.' Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.
"Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."
When Jesus left there, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, Waiting to catch him in something he might say.
Jesus' Mother and Brothers Math 1246-50
Mk 331-35 Lu 819-21
[Events]
Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers; those who hear God's word and put it into practice."
The Sower and the Seed Math 131-23
Mk 41-20 Lu 84-15
[Events]
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large
crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all
the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables,
saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed,
some fell along the path, it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate
it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang
up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants
were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell
among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants so that they did
not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop
- a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him
hear."
When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked, "Why do you
speak to the people in parables?" He replied, "The secret of the kingdom
of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is said
in parables. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.
Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why
I speak to them in parables: though seeing, they do not see; though hearing,
they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing
but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they
hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they
might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts
and turn, and be forgiven.'
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what
you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will
you understand any parable? Listen then to what the parable of the sower
means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand
it, the evil one comes and snatches away the word from their hearts, so that
they may not believe and be saved. This is the seed sown along the path.
The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears
the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts
only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word,
he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the
thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life, the
deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke
it, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, those with
a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering
produce a crop - thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."
Consider What You Hear Math 514-16
Mk 421-25 Lu 816-18
[Events]
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. No one
lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts
it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. In the same way,
let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise
your Father in heaven. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed,
and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.
Therefore consider carefully what you hear and how you listen. With the measure
you use, it will be measured to you - and even more. Whoever has will be
given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken
from him."
Seeds Grow Mk 426-29
[Events]
He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
Good Seed and Weeds Math 1324-30
[Events]
Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' " 'An enemy did this,' he replied. " The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' " 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
Mustard Seed Math 1331,32 Mk 430-32 Lu 1318,19
[Events]
He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."
Yeast Math 1333 Lu 1320,21
[Events]
Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."
Weeds Explained Math 1334-43
[Events]
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world." Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear."
Treasure, Pearl, and Net Math 1344-50
[Events]
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found
it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought
that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had
and bought it.
Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the
lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled
it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets,
but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The
angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous And throw them
into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Have You Understood? Math
1351,52 Mk 433,34
[Events]
"Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. "Yes," they replied. He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old." With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Jesus Calms the Storm Math 823-27
Mk 435-41 Lu 822-25
[Events]
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! Don't you care? We're going to drown!" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the storm subsided and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
Prophet Without Honour Math 1353-58
Mk 61-6a
[Events]
Jesus went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" And they took offence at him. Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honour." He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.
John Beheaded Math 141-12 Mk 614-29 Lu 97-9
[Events]
Herod the tetrarch heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known.
He was perplexed and tried to see him for some were saying, "John the Baptist
has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work
in him." Others said, "He is Elijah." And still others claimed, "He is a
prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago." But when Herod heard this,
he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!"
For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him
bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's
wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not
lawful for you to have your brother's wife." So Herodias nursed a grudge
against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod
feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.
When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to
him.
Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for
his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his
dinner guests so much that the king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything
you want, and I'll give it to you." And he promised her with an oath, "Whatever
you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom." She went out and said to
her mother, "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she answered.
At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to
give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter." The king was
greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did
not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders
to bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought
back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it
to her mother.
On hearing of this, John's disciples came and took his body and laid it in
a tomb. Then they went and told Jesus.
5000 Fed Math 1413-21 Mar 630-44 Lu 910-17 Jn 61-15
[Events]
Some time after this when Jesus heard what had happened to John and so many
people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat,
he said to his disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and
get some rest." They withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place on the
far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias) near Bethsaida.
But many who had seen the miraculous signs he had performed and saw them
leaving. So they ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.
When Jesus landed and saw the large crowd, he had compassion on them, because
they were like sheep without a shepherd. He began teaching them many things
about the kingdom of God and healed their sick. The Jewish Passover Feast
was near.
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and Philip said, "This is
a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they
can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." Others said to him,
"That would take eight months of a man's wages for each one to have a bite!
Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?" Jesus
replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." He
said this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going
to do. Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up,
"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how
far will they go among so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down in
groups of hundreds and fifties." So they sat down. There was plenty of grass
in that place, and the number of those who ate was about five thousand men,
besides women and children.
Jesus then the loaves, and looking up to heaven, gave thanks and broke them.
Then he gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to
the people as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the
pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them
and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left
over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the miraculous sign that
Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come
into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king
by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Jesus Came Walking on the Water Math
1422-36 Mk 645-56 Jn 66-24
[Events]
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of
him to Capernaum, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them,
he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. By now it was dark, he was
there alone and the boat was in the middle of the lake. He saw the disciples
straining at the oars for they had rowed three or three and a half miles
and were being buffeted by the waves and the strong wind that was against
them.
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the
lake and was about to pass by them. When the disciples saw him walking on
the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in
fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be
afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the
water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the
water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and,
beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached
out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you
doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, "Truly you are the
Son of God." They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about
the loaves; their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they
landed at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent
word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him
and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all
who touched him were healed.
The Bread of Life Rejected Jn 625-71
[Events]
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi,
when did you get here?" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking
for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves
and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures
to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father
has placed his seal of approval." Then they asked him, "What must we do to
do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to
believe in the one he has sent." So they asked him, "What miraculous sign
then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?
Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them
bread from heaven to eat.'" Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it
is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father
who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who
comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," they said, "from
now on give us this bread." Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life.
He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never
be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will
never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but
to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me,
that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at
the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son
and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the
last day."
At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread
that came down from heaven." They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph,
whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"
"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. "No one can come to me
unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last
day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.'
Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. No one
has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the
Father. I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am
the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they
died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may
eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone
eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I
will give for the life of the world." Then the Jews began to argue sharply
among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said
to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man
and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks
my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my
flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and
drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent
me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live
because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers
ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever."
He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing it,
many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does
this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken
to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not
believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe
and who would betray him. He went on to say, "This is why I told you that
no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter
answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Then Jesus replied,
"Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" (He meant
Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later
to betray him.)
Clean and Unclean Math
151-20 Mk 71-23
[Events]
The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem
gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands
that were "unclean," that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do
not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the
tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not
eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the
washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)
So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples
live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food
with 'unclean' hands?" He replied, "Why do you break the command of God for
the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honour your father and mother'
and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you
say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might
otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he is not to 'honour
his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your
tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
'These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'" Thus
you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.
And you do many things like that." Jesus called the crowd to him and said,
"Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,'
but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.'"
After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked, "Do
you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?" He replied,
"Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by
the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind
man, both will fall into a pit." Then Peter said, "Explain the parable to
us." "Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters
a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his
heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus
declared all foods "clean.") He went on: "What comes out of a man is what
makes him 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery,
sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander, greed, malice, deceit,
lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. These are what make a man
'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.'"
Faith of Canaanite Woman Math 1521-28
Mk 724-30
[Events]
Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a Canaanite woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. "First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." "Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then he told her, "Woman, you have great faith! For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter." She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Deaf-Mute Healed Math 1529-31 Mk 731-37
[Events]
Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the
Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought
to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place
his hand on the man. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus
put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue.
He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which
means, "Be opened!"). At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was
loosened and he began to speak plainly.
Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more
they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has
done everything well," they said. "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute
speak." And they praised the God of Israel.
4000 Fed Math 1532-39 Mk 81-10
[Events]
During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to
eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these
people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.
If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of
them have come a long distance." His disciples answered, "But where in this
remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?" "How many loaves
do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves
and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to
the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied.
Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that
were left over. About four thousand men were present, besides women and children.
Having sent them away, he got into the boat with his disciples and went to
the region of Dalmanutha (or Magadan).
The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him
for a sign from heaven. Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed
to the other side.
Leaders Demand Sign Math 161-4 Mk 811-13
[Events]
The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it. When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.
Teaching of Pharisees Math
165-12 Mk 814-21
[Events]
When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. "Be careful,"
Jesus warned them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees,
the Sadducees and of Herod." They discussed this among themselves and said,
"It is because we didn't bring any bread."
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you
talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not see or
understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and
ears but fail to hear? Don't you remember? When I broke the five loaves for
the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" "Twelve,"
they replied. "And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how
many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" They answered, "Seven." He said
to them, "How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about
bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast
used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Blind Man at Bethsaida Healed Mk 822-26
[Events]
They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."
Peter Says Who Jesus Is Math 1613-20
Mar 827-30 Lu 918-20
[Events]
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi.
Once when they were praying on the way he asked them, "Who do people say
the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say
Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets of long ago has
come back to life."
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed
are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but
by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock
I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will
give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will
be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
Jesus Predicts His Death Math 1621-28
Mk 831-91 Lu 921-27
[Events]
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things and be rejected at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man and the kingdom of God come with power."
Transfiguration Math 171-13 Mk 92-13 Lu 928-36
[Events]
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves to pray. As he was praying,
he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes
became as white as a flash of lightning, whiter than anyone in the world
could bleach them. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah,
in glorious splendour talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure,
which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions
were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and
the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said
to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up
three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did
not know what to say, they were so frightened.) While he was still speaking,
a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is
my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" When the
disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus
came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." When they looked
up, they saw no one except Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell
anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the
dead." They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what "rising from the
dead" meant. The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law
say that Elijah must come first?" Why then is it written that the Son of
Man must suffer much and be rejected? Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah
does come first and restores all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already
come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they
wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the
Baptist.
Boy with Demon Delivered Math
1714-23 Mk 914-32 Lu 937-45
[Events]
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them
and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people
saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. "What
are you arguing with them about?" he asked. A man in the crowd knelt before
him, "Lord, have mercy on my only son," he said. "I brought you my son, who
often falls into the fire or into the water. He is possessed by a spirit
that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the
ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, becomes rigid and suffers
greatly. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I be with you
and put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought him. When the
spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell
to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy's
father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered.
"It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do
anything, take pity on us and help us." "If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything
is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed,
"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil
spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of
him and never enter him again." The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently
and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's
dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he
stood up. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't
we drive it out?" He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you
the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this
mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible
for you. This kind can come out only by prayer." They left that place and
passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were,
because he was teaching his disciples. "Listen carefully to what I am about
to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.
They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." But they did not
understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
Temple Tax Math 1724-27
[Events]
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes - from their own sons or from others?" "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."
Who's the Greatest? Math 181-9
Mk 933-37 Mk 942-50 Lu
946-48
[Events]
They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were
you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they
had argued about who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Sitting down,
Jesus called the Twelve and called a little child and had him stand among
them. Then he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like
little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. If anyone wants
to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all. Therefore,
whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven."
Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes a little
child like this in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not
welcome me but the one who sent me. But if anyone causes one of these little
ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large
millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things
must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! If anyone causes one
of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him
to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. If
your hand or your foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away. It
is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands
or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire, where the fire never goes out.
And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is
better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two
eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell, where 'their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched.'
Everyone will be salted with fire. "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness,
how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace
with each other."
Those Not Against Us Mk 938-41 Lu
949,50
[Events]
"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he was not one of us." "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."
Good Samaritan Lu 1025-37
[Events]
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he
asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the
Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: "'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, 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' "You have
answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?"
In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when
he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat
him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down
the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So
too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other
side. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when
he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds,
pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him
to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return,
I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these
three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of
robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
The Narrow Door. Who will be saved? Lu
1322-30
[Events]
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."
Counting the Cost of Discipleship Lu
1425-35
[Events]
Large crowds were travelling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If
anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and
children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be
my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot
be my disciple.
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and
estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he
lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will
ridicule him, Saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not
first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose
the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will
send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for
terms of peace.
In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot
be my disciple. "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it
be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile;
it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Lost Sheep Math 1810-14 Lu 151-7
[Events]
Now the tax collectors and 'sinners' were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Jesus said, "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. The Son of Man came to save what was lost." Then Jesus told them this parable: "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off until he finds it?? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders And goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."
Lost Coin Lu 158-10
[Events]
"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Lost Sons (The Prodigal Son) Lu 1511-32
[Events]
Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said
to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his
property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together
all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth
in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine
in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself
out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but
no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many
of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned
against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son;
make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled
with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and
kissed him. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and
against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father
said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put
a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and
kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead
and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he
heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what
was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed
the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' "The older brother
became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with
him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving
for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young
goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who
has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened
calf for him!' 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything
I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother
of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"
The Dishonest Manager Lu 161-15
[Events]
Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose manager was accused
of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this
I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot
be manager any longer.' "The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now?
My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed
to beg - I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will
welcome me into their houses.' So he called in each one of his master's debtors.
He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 'Eight hundred gallons
of olive oil,' he replied. The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down
quickly, and make it four hundred.' Then he asked the second, 'And how much
do you owe?' 'A thousand bushels of wheat,' he replied. He told him, 'Take
your bill and make it eight hundred.' The master commended the dishonest
manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more
shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.
I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when
it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Whoever can be trusted
with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest
with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been
trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?
And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will
give you property of your own?
No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the
other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot
serve both God and Money." The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this
and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, "You are the ones who justify
yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly
valued among men is detestable in God's sight."
Rich Man and Lazarus Lu 1619-31
[Events]
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived
in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered
with sores And longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the
dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the
angels carried him to Abraham's side.
The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment,
he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called
to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip
of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this
fire.' But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received
your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted
here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great
chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot,
nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' He answered, 'Then I beg you,
father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five brothers. Let
him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'
'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them,
they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the
Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Unmerciful Servant Math 1815-35
[Events]
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between
the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But
if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter
may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses
to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even
to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you
that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be
done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together
in my name, there am I with them."
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive
my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I
tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom
of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought
to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his
wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. The
servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and
I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, cancelled
the debt and let him go.
But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed
him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what
you owe me!' he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged
him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead,
he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed
and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master
called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I cancelled all that
debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your
fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over
to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This
is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your
brother from your heart."
Forgiving Others Lu 171-10
[Events]
Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you. Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'
Mk 1125,26
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive
him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. But if you
do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your sins."
Divorce Math 191-12 Mk
101-12 Lu 1618
[Events]
When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into
the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed
him, and he taught and healed them there. Some Pharisees came to him to test
him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and
every reason?" "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the
Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will
leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become
one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined
together, let man not separate." "Why then," they asked, "did Moses command
that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" Jesus
replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were
hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone
who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another
woman commits adultery."
The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and
wife, it is better not to marry." Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept
this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs
because they were born that way; others were made that way; others were made
that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom
of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."
When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this.
He answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits
adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another
man, she commits adultery."
Children Math 1913-15 Mk 1013-16 Lu 1815-17
[Events]
Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant and called the children to him. He said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Riches Math 1916-30 Mk 1017-31 Lu 1818-30
[Events]
As Jesus started on his way, a certain ruler ran up to him and fell on his
knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal
life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good - except
God alone. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." "Which ones?"
the man inquired. Jesus replied," 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery,
do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honour your father
and mother' and 'love your neighbour as yourself.'" "Teacher," he declared,
"all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved
him. "One thing you lack," he said. "If you want to be perfect, go, sell
everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because
he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "I tell
you the truth, how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is for the rich to enter the
kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." The disciples were even
more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked
at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things
are possible with God." Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow
you!" "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "At the renewal of all things,
when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me
will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And
no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children
or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much
in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields
- and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But
many who are first will be last, and the last first."
The Law Remains Lu 1616,17
[Events]
"The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law."
Teaching at Tabernacles Jn
71-859
[Events]
After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea
because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. But when the Jewish
Feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to
leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you
do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you
are doing these things, show yourself to the world." For even his own brothers
did not believe in him. Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me
has not yet come; for you any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but
it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. You go to the Feast.
I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not
yet come." Having said this, he stayed in Galilee. However, after his brothers
had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.
Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, "Where is that
man?" Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said,
"He is a good man." Others replied, "No, he deceives the people." But no
one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.
Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts
and begin to teach. The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get
such learning without having studied?" Jesus answered, "My teaching is not
my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God's will,
he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on
my own. He who speaks on his own does so to gain honour for himself, but
he who works for the honour of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there
is nothing false about him. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one
of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?" "You are demon-possessed,"
the crowd answered. "Who is trying to kill you?" Jesus said to them, "I did
one miracle, and you are all astonished. Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision
(though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you
circumcise a child on the Sabbath. Now if a child can be circumcised on the
Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with
me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath? Stop judging by mere appearances,
and make a right judgment."
At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, "Isn't this the
man they are trying to kill? Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are
not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is
the Christ? But we know where this man is from; when the Christ comes, no
one will know where he is from." Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple
courts, cried out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am
not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, But
I know him because I am from him and he sent me." At this they tried to seize
him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. Still,
many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, "When the Christ comes,
will he do more miraculous signs than this man?"
The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the
chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him. Jesus said,
"I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me.
You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot
come." The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that
we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the
Greeks, and teach the Greeks? What did he mean when he said, 'You will look
for me, but you will not find me,' and 'Where I am, you cannot come'?"
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud
voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes
in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from
within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him
were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since
Jesus had not yet been glorified. On hearing his words, some of the people
said, "Surely this man is the Prophet." Others said, "He is the Christ."
Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture
say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the
town where David lived?" Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. Some
wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who
asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?" "No one ever spoke the way this
man does," the guards declared. "You mean he has deceived you also?" the
Pharisees retorted. "Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in
him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law - there is a curse on
them." Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their
own number, asked, "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him
to find out what he is doing?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too?
Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee."
Then each went to his own home. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group And said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The Pharisees challenged him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid." Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me." Then they asked him, "Where is your father?" "You do not know me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come.
Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come." This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come'?" But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins." "Who are you?" they asked. "Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. "I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world." They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father." "Abraham is our father," they answered. "If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the things your own father does." "We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
The Jews answered him, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?" "I am not possessed by a demon," said Jesus, "but I honour my Father and you dishonour me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."
At this the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?" Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad." "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!" "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
Man Born Blind Healed Jn
91-41
[Events]
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him,
"Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither
this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that
the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we
must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Having said this,
he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's
eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent).
So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
His neighbours and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't
this the same man who used to sit and beg?" Some claimed that he was. Others
said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man."
"How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded. He replied, "The man they
call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam
and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." "Where is this man?"
they asked him. "I don't know," he said. They brought to the Pharisees the
man who had been blind.
Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was
a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his
sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I
see." Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does
not keep the Sabbath." But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous
signs?" So they were divided.
Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him?
It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet." The Jews
still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until
they sent for the man's parents. "Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this
the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?" "We know
he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind. But
how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is
of age; he will speak for himself." His parents said this because they were
afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged
that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. That was why
his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God,"
they said. "We know this man is a sinner." He replied, "Whether he is a sinner
or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" Then
they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered,
"I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear
it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?" Then they hurled insults
at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses!
We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know
where he comes from." The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't
know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not
listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody
has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were
not from God, he could do nothing." To this they replied, "You were steeped
in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out.
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said,
"Do you believe in the Son of Man?" "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell
me so that I may believe in him." Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in
fact, he is the one speaking with you." Then the man said, "Lord, I believe,"
and he worshipped him. Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world,
so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."
Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are
we blind too?" Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of
sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."
Good Shepherd Jn 101-21
[Events]
"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate,
but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters
by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for
him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and
leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of
them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will
never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they
do not recognize a stranger's voice." Jesus used this figure of speech, but
they did not understand what he was telling them.
Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the
sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep
did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be
saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only
to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have
it to the full.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the
wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the
flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares
nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep
know me - Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down
my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen.
I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall
be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay
down my life - only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay
it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to
take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
At these words the Jews were again divided. Many of them said, "He is
demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?" But others said, "These
are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes
of the blind?"
At the Feast of Dedication Jn
1022-42
[Events]
Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'? If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came - and the Scripture cannot be broken - what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'? Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. Here he stayed and many people came to him. They said, "Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true." And in that place many believed in Jesus.
Jesus at a Pharisee's House Lu
141-14
[Events]
One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him away. Then he asked them, "If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?" And they had nothing to say.
When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the table, he told them this parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honoured in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Wedding Banquet Math 221-14 Lu
1415-24
[Events]
When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." Jesus replied with a parable saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet He sent his servants to those who had been invited to tell them 'Come, for everything is now ready.' But some began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.' Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.' But most paid no attention and the others seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.
The servant came back and reported this to his master. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find. Bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad.
'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.' Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' And the wedding hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are invited, but few are chosen."
Vineyard Workers Math
201-16
[Events]
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. "About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?' 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'
When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.' "The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Jesus Again Predicts His Death Math 2017-19 Mk 1032-34 Lu
1831-34
[Events]
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. "We are going up to Jerusalem and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled," he said. "The Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and crucify him. Three days later he will be raised to life." The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
A Mother's Request Math 2020-28
Mk 1035-45
[Events]
Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favour of him. "What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom." "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."
When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave . 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."
Ten Lepers Healed Lu 1711-19
[Events]
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance And called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him - and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
Jesus Rejected by Samaritan Village Lu
951-56
[Events]
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village.
Blind Bartimaeus Sees Math 2029-34
Mk 1046-52 Lu 1835-43
[Events]
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go," said Jesus, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
Zacchaeus Saved Lu
191-10
[Events]
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'" But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
10 Minas and the Kingdom Lu
1911-27
[Events]
While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' He was made king, however, and returned home.
Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' "His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.'
"Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' "His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?' "Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!' He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.
"But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them - bring them here and kill them in front of me.'"
After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Lazarus Raised Jn 111-44
[Events]
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."
After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
Elders Plot to Kill Jesus Jn
1145-57
[Events]
Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."
Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.
So from that day on they plotted to take his life. Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the Jews. Instead he withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, "What do you think? Isn't he coming to the Feast at all?" But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him.
Jesus Enters Jerusalem Math 211-9
Mk 111-10 Lu 1928-44 Jn 1212-19
[Events]
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, Saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her which no one has ever ridden. Untie them and bring them here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.'" Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. They found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, its owners asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.
When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. A very large crowd who had heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem took palm branches and went out to meet him. They spread the branches and their cloaks on the road. Those that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna, peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."
Temple Cleared Math 2110-17 Mk 1111 Mk 1115-19 Lu 1945-48 Jn 214-17
[Events]
When Jesus entered Jerusalem he went to the temple and looked around at everything. The whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?" But since it was already late he left them and went back to Bethany with the Twelve, where he spent the night.
Next day Jesus entered the temple area and having made a whip out of cords, he began driving out those who were buying and selling cattle and sheep there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves saying, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market! Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers." And he would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.
His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."
The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him. Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words. Every day he was teaching at the temple.
Fig Tree Withers Math 2118-23
Mk 1112-14 Mk 1120-25
[Events]
The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it.
In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered! How did the fig tree wither so quickly? Jesus replied, "Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Authority Questioned Math
2123-27 Mk 1127-33 Lu 201-8
[Events]
One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts, the chief priests and the teachers of the Law, together with the elders, came up to him. "Tell us by what authority you are doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?" Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism - where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?"
They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men' - we are afraid of the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
Two Sons Math 2128-32
[Events]
"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."
Wicked Tenants Punished Math 2133-46
Mk 121-2 Lu 209-19
[Events]
"Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. He sent still another, and that one they killed. He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, 'They will respect my son.' But the tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end," they replied, "and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time."
When the people heard this, they said, "May this never be!" Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes'? Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them. They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet. So they left him and went away.
Paying Taxes to Caesar Math 2215-22
Mk 1213-17 Lu 2020-26
[Events]
Some of the Pharisees and Herodians were sent as spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax. Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.
Marriage in the Resurrection Math
2223-33 Mk 1218-27 Lu 2027-40
[Events]
That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. "Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"
Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection.
Have you not read what God said to you in the account of the bush about the resurrection of the dead? Even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord, 'the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'. He is not the God of the dead but of the living. You are badly mistaken!" When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching. Some of the teachers of the law responded, "Well said, teacher!" And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
The Greatest Commandment Math
2234-40 Mk 1228-34
[Events]
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
Whose Son is the Christ? Math 2241-46
Mk 1235-37 Lu 2041-44
[Events]
While the Pharisees who were gathered together and Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, "How is it that the teachers of the law say the Christ is the Son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declares in the Book of Psalms: 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.' David calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?"
No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Seven Woes Math 231-36 Mk 1238-40 Lu 2045-47
[Events]
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Everything they do is done for men to see: they make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honour at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces, you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. You are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it.
Woe to you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.' You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven swears by God's throne and by the one who sits on it.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give God a tenth of your spices - mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. So you testify that you approve of what your forefathers did. Yet you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!
You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? Because of this, God in his wisdom said, I am sending you prophets and apostles, wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. I tell you the truth, you will be held responsible and all this will come upon this generation."
Widow's Offering Mk 1241-44
Lu 211-4
[Events]
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on."
Sorrow for Jerusalem Math
2337-39 Lu 1331-35
[Events]
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day - for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
At the End of the Age Math 241-35 Mk
131-31 Lu 215-38
[Events]
As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! How magnificent is the temple adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God" Jesus replied, "Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?" He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,' and, ‘The time is near,' and will deceive many. Do not follow them. When you hear of wars, rumours of wars and revolutions, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, pestilences in various places and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
These are the beginning of birth pains, but the end will not come right away. You must be on your guard. For before all this, they will hand you over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. They will persecute you and put to death. You will be hated by all nations because of me. You will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For the Holy Spirit will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation' spoken of through the prophet Daniel standing where it does not belong–let the reader understand–then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. For this is the time of punishment in fulfilment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now–and never to be equalled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!' or, ‘There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect–if that were possible. So be on your guard; see, I have told you ahead of time.
In those days, following that distress, ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. As lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back–whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch! and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.
Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.
The Son of Man will come like Lightning Lu
1720-25
[Events]
Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."
Then he said to his disciples, "The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. Men will tell you, 'There he is!' or 'Here he is!' Do not go running off after them. For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation."
Keep Watch, Be Ready Math 2436-44
Mk 1332-37 Lu 1726-37
[Events]
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: he leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'
For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulphur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.
It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be left in the field; one will be taken and the other left." "Where, Lord?" they asked. He replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Persistent Widow Lu 181-8
[Events]
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
The Humble will be Exalted Lu 189-14
[Events]
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on
everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to
pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up
and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men
- robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. I fast
twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven,
but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you
that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For
everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will
be exalted."
Unfaithful Servant Math 2445-51 Lu 1235-48
[Events]
"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting
for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes
and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for
those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you
the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the
table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants
whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch
of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at
what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken
into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour
when you do not expect him."
Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?"
The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master
puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper
time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when
he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his
possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking
a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and
maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant
will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware
of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites
and unbelievers, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. That
servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do
what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does
not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the
one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
Ten Virgins Math 251-13
[Events]
"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their
lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and
five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil
with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The
bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell
asleep.
At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said
to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 'No,' they
replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those
who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' But while they were on their way
to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in
with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'
But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' Therefore keep
watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."
Talents Math 2514-30
[Events]
"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants
and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money,
to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his
ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents
went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the
one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the
one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts
with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five.
'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained
five more.' His master replied,' Well done, good and faithful servant! You
have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.
Come and share your master's happiness!' The man with the two talents also
came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have
gained two more.' "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!
You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many
things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I
knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering
where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your
talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' "His master replied,
'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown
and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put
my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have
received it back with interest.'
"'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever
does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless
servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing
of teeth.'"
Sheep and Goats Math 2531-46
[Events]
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he
will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered
before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd
separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and
the goats on his left.
Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed
by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the
creation of the world. 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, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked
after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will
answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and
give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you
in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison
and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever
you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry
and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to
drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and
you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after
me.' They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of
the least of these, you did not do for me.' Then they will go away to eternal
punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Elders Continue to Plot Math 263-5
Mk 141,2
[Events]
Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, And they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. "But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."
Jesus Predicts His Death Again Jn 1220-36
[Events]
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast.
They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir,"
they said, "we would like to see Jesus." Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew
and Philip in turn told Jesus. Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the
Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat
falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies,
it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the
man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever
serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father
will honour the one who serves me.
Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this
hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify
your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will
glorify it again." The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered;
others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, "This voice was for your
benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince
of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth,
will draw all men to myself." He said this to show the kind of death he was
going to die.
The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain
forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this
'Son of Man'?" Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just
a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes
you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your
trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light."
Math 261,2
When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,
"As you know, the Passover is two days away - and the Son of Man will be
handed over to be crucified." Jesus left and hid himself from (the crowd).
Many Continue in Unbelief Jn 1237-56
[Events]
Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they
still would not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the
prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the
Lord been revealed?" For this reason they could not believe, because, as
Isaiah says elsewhere: "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts,
nor turn - and I would heal them." Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus'
glory and spoke about him.
Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because
of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be
put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise
from God. Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe
in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the
one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who
believes in me should stay in darkness. As for the person who hears my words
but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the
world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does
not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the
last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me
commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads
to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to
say."
Jesus Anointed Math 266-16 Mk 143-11 Lu 736-50 221-6 Jn 121-11
[Events]
Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. One of the Pharisees, known as Simon the Leper, invited Jesus to a dinner of honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. Mary broke the pint jar of pure nard and poured the perfume on his head and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is - that she is a sinner." Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two men owed money to a certain money-lender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he cancelled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt cancelled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said. Then he turned towards the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
The disciples and some of those present were indignant and said to one another, "Why this waste?" And they rebuked her harshly. Other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" One of his disciples, Judas Iscariot objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold at a high price - more than a year's wages - and the money given to the poor." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? Leave her alone. She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you and you can help them any time you want, but you will not always have me. It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did what she could to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. They were delighted and counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
Last Supper Math 2617-35 Mk 1412-31 Lu 227-38 Jn 13-17
[Events]
It was just before the Passover Feast1 when it was customary to
sacrifice the Passover lamb.
[1 Matthew and Mark say it was 'on the first
day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread']
Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the
Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the
full extent of his love. Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us
to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" So Jesus sent Peter
and John saying, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will
meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher
asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?'
He will show you a large upper room, all furnished and ready. Make preparations
for us there." The disciples left, went into the city and found things just
as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. They were reclining at
the table eating, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son
of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things
under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;
So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel
around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash
his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my
feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later
you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus
answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon
Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Jesus
answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole
body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew
who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned
to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.
"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should
wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as
I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his
master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you
know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is
to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel
against me.' I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does
happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts
anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent
me. I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me - one who is eating with
me."
After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit. His disciples were
saddened and stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.
One by one they said to him, "Surely not I?" "It is one of the Twelve," he
replied. "The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe
to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he
had not been born."
One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon
Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." Leaning
back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It
is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it
in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot,
son of Simon.
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus
answered, "Yes, it is you." As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered
into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no
one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge
of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for
the Feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the
bread, he went out. And it was night.
When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is
glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in
himself, and will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only
a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I
tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must
love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if
you love one another." Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?"
Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow
later." Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my
life for you." Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for
me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three
times!"
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my
Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be
where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can
we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you
would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen
him."
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus
answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such
a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say,
'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that
the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather,
it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I
say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe
on the evidence of the miracles themselves.
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been
doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the
Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring
glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do
it.
If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever - The Spirit
of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows
him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not
leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not
see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and
I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves
me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and
show myself to him."
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show
yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me,
he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him
and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.
These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counsellor, the Holy
Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and
will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the
world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. You
heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved
me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater
than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen
you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of
this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that
I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me."
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave
it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body given for you;
do this in remembrance of me." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered
it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. "This is my blood of the
covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell
you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that
day when I drink it anew in my Father's kingdom.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch
in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes
so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the
word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch
can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear
fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a
man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you
can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that
is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the
fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever
you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you
bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If
you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my
Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my
joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this:
Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that
he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I
command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his
master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that
I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me,
but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will
last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is
my command: love each other.
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged
to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to
the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world
hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than
his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they
obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way
because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now,
however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father
as well. If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not
be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have
hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their
Law: 'They hated me without reason.' When the Counsellor comes, whom I will
send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father,
he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with
me from the beginning.
All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you
out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you
will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because
they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when
the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this
at first because I was with you. Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none
of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' Because I have said these things,
you are filled with grief.
But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless
I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send
him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to
sin and righteousness and judgment: In regard to sin, because men do not
believe in me; In regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father,
where you can see me no longer; And in regard to judgment, because the prince
of this world now stands condemned.
I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he,
the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not
speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you
what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine
and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That
is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to
you. In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while
you will see me." Some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he
mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after
a little while you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?"
They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand
what he is saying."
Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are
you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will
see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'? I tell you
the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve,
but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain
because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish
because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now
is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and
no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything.
I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive,
and your joy will be complete. Though I have been speaking figuratively,
a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will
tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I
am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself
loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world
and going back to the Father."
Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures
of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even
need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came
from God." "You believe at last!" Jesus answered. "But a time is coming,
and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will
leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have
told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you
will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time
has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted
him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those
you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory
on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify
me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were
yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know
that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words
you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came
from you, and they believed that you sent me.
I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given
me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And
glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer,
but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect
them by the power of your name - the name you gave me - so that they may
be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them
safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to
destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world,
so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given
them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world
any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out
of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of
the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word
is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in
me through their message, That all of them may be one, Father, just as you
are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe
that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that
they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought
to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them
even as you have loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see
my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation
of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know
you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them,
and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me
may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
A dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those
who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are
not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest,
and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one
who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the
table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood
by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred
one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit
on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for
you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back,
strengthen your brothers."
Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did
you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. He said to them, "But now if
you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword,
sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: 'And he was numbered with the
transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what
is written about me is reaching its fulfilment." The disciples said, "See,
Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.
Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account
of me, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the
flock will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you
into Galilee." Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I
never will." "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before
the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." But Peter declared, "Even
if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples
said the same.
Led Disciples to the Mt of Olives Math 2630,36 Mk 1426 Lu 2239 Jn 181
[Events]
When Jesus had finished praying and they had sung a hymn, Jesus went out as usual crossing the Kidron valley to Gethsemane in the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.
Jesus withdrew and prayed Math 2636-46
Mk 1432-42 Lu 2240-46
[Events]
[Jesus] said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray. Pray that
you will not fall into temptation." He took Peter with James and John, the
two sons of Zebedee, along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of
death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
Going a little farther, about a stone's throw beyond them, he fell with his
face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup
be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men
not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so
that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body
is weak." He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not
possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be
done."
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were
heavy. They did not know what to say to him. So he left them and went away
once more and being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was
like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow
and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Get up and pray so
that you will not fall into temptation. Look, the hour is near, and the Son
of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes
my betrayer!"
Jesus arrested Math 2646-56 Mk 1443-52
Lu 2247-53 Jn 182-11
[Events]
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. He knew the
place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. With him was
a large crowd carrying lanterns and armed with swords and clubs, also a
detachment of soldiers with some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees.
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the
man; arrest him." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!"
and kissed him. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him asked
him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? Friend, do what
you came for."
[Then he asked the soldiers,] "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth,"
they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew
back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" And
they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." "I told you that I am he," Jesus answered.
"If you are looking for me, then let these men go." This happened so that
the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those
you gave me."
When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should
we strike with our swords?" Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and
struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's
name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! for all who
draw the sword will die by the sword. Shall I not drink the cup the Father
has given me? Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once
put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would
the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" And he
touched the man's ear and healed him.
At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you
have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the
temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this is your hour
- when darkness reigns. For this has all taken place that the writings of
the prophets might be fulfilled." All the disciples deserted him and fled.
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. A young man,
wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized
him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
Jesus taken to Annas Jn 1813,14
[Events]
They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.
Peter disowns his Master Math 2669,70
Mk 1454,66-68 Lu 2254b-57 Jn
1815-18
[Events]
Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus at a distance. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. One of the servant girls of the High Priest looked closely at him and said, "You also were with that Nazarine, Jesus." "I am not," Peter replied, "I don't understand what you're talking about." Then he went out to the gateway.
Annas questions Jesus Jn
1819-24
[Events]
Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
Sanhedrin seek evidence.
Jesus confirms that he is Messiah.
Death sentence Math 2657-68 Mk 1453,55-65 Lu
2263-71
[Events]
The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded
him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit you?" And they said many other insulting
things to him. At daybreak the council of the elders of the people [the whole
Sanhedrin], both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together,
and Jesus was led before them. They were looking for false evidence against
Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though
many false witnesses came forward, but their statements did not agree. Finally
two came forward and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the
temple of God and rebuild it in three days'." Then the high priest stood
up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony
that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God:
tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." "Yes, it is as you say,"
Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: in the future you will see the Son
of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds
of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken
blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the
blasphemy. What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered. Then
they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others blindfolded
him, slapped him and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"
Peter denies knowing Jesus Math 2671-75
Mk 1469-72 Lu 2258-62 Jn
1825-27
[Events]
A little later another girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth." He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"
About an hour later one of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove? Surely you are one of them, for your Galilean accent gives you away." Then Peter began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!"Just as he was speaking a rooster crowed twice. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows twice, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Judas returns money Math 273-10
[Events]
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized
with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and
the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."
"What is that to us?" they replied, "that's your responsibility." So Judas
threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to
put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." So they decided to
use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners.
That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what
was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver
coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to
buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."
Jesus taken to Pilate Math
271,2 Math 2711-14 Mk 151-5 Lu 231-3 Jn 1828-37
[Events]
All the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to
put Jesus to death so they bound him and led him from Caiaphas to the palace
of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial
uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to
eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to the Jews and asked, "What charges
are you bringing against this man?" "If he were not a criminal," they replied,
"we would not have handed him over to you."
And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting
our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ,
a king." Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law."
"But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. This happened
so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going
to die would be fulfilled.
Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are
you the king of the Jews?" "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did
others talk to you about me?" "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your
people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have
done?" Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants
would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from
another place." "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "Yes,
it is as you say," Jesus replied. "In fact, for this reason I was born, and
for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the
side of truth listens to me." "What is truth?" Pilate asked. When he was
accused by the chief priests and the elders [outside], he gave no answer.
Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against
you?" But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge - to the great
amazement of the governor.
Pilate sends Jesus to Herod and is returned Lu 234-12 Jn 1838
[Events]
Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here." On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became friends - before this they had been enemies.
Crowd choose Barabbas Math
2715-21 Mk 156-11 Lu 2313-19 Jn 1839-40
[Events]
While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message:
"Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a
great deal today in a dream because of him." Pilate went out again to the
Jews and said, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people
to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis
for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to
us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will
punish him and then release him." For he knew it was out of envy that they
had handed Jesus over to him.
Now it was the governor's custom at the Passover to release a prisoner chosen
by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas
who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for
murder. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do
you want me to release, Barabbas or Jesus, the king of the Jews, who is called
Christ?" But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask
for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. So the crowd shouted back, "Away
with this man! Release Barabbas to us! Give us Barabbas!"
Pilate has Jesus flogged - tries to free him Math 2722,23 Math 2727-30 Mk 1512-14 Lu 2320-23 Jn 191-15
[Events]
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They
all answered, "Crucify him!" "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The governor's soldiers took
Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company around him. They
stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown
of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and
knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said.
They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and
again.
Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him
out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him."
When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate
said to them, "Here is the man!" As soon as the chief priests and their officials
saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" But Pilate answered, "You take
him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."
The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die,
because he claimed to be the Son of God."
When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside
the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him
no answer. "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize
I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You
would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore
the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." From then
on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let
this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king
opposes Caesar."
When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's
seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha).
It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour.
[Roman time - 6 a.m.]
"Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, "Take him
away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked.
"We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered. Wanting to release
Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, "Crucify him!
Crucify him!" For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this
man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore
I will have him punished and then release him." But with loud shouts they
insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.
Pilate washes his hands Math 2724-26
Lu 2324,25
[Events]
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released Barabbas, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.
Jesus mocked again Math 2731 Mk 1515-20 Jn 1916
[Events]
Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
Jesus led out to Golgotha Math2732-34 Math 2738 Mk 1521,22 Mk 1525,27,28 Lu 2326-33
Jn 1917,18
[Events]
Carrying his own cross, Jesus went out, and as they led him away, they seized
Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, who was on his way
in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind
Jesus.
A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed
for him. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep
for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come
when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore
and the breasts that never nursed!' Then 'they will say to the mountains,
"Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' For if men do these things when
the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" Two other men, both
criminals, were also led out with him to be executed at the place of the
Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they were crucified, one
on each side and Jesus in the middle. [So] the scripture was fulfilled which
says, "He was counted with the lawless ones." It was the third hour. [Hebrew
time - 9 a.m.]
King of the Jews is Crucified Math 2737
Mk 1526 Lu 2338 Jn 1919-22
[Events]
Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF
NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified
was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.
The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King
of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews." Pilate answered,
"What I have written, I have written."
Insults from all Math 2739-44 Mk 1529-32 Lu 2334a Lu 2335-37,39
[Events]
Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying,
"So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,
save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders
mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's
the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe
in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he
said, 'I am the Son of God, the Chosen One'."
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They said, "If you are the king
of the Jews, save yourself." Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they
do not know what they are doing."
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the
Christ? Save yourself and us!"
One criminal saved Lu 2340-43
[Events]
But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Cast lots for his clothes Math 2735,36
Mk 1524 Lu 2334b Jn
1923,24
[Events]
Sitting down, (the soldiers) kept watch over him there. They took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.
John cares for Mary Jn 1925-27
[Events]
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," And to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Darkness for 3 hours Math 2745
Mk 1533 Lu 2344
[Events]
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. [Hebrew time - Noon to 3 p.m.]
Last words of Jesus Math 2734, 46-50
Mk 1523,34-37 Lu 2346,47 Jn
1928-30
[Events]
At about the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama
sabachthani?" - which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. The rest said, "Now leave him
alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
Knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled,
Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar mixed with gall was there.
He filled the sponge and put it on a stalk of the hyssop plant and offered
it to Jesus to drink. But after tasting it, he refused to drink it.
Then Jesus said, "It is finished," and he called out with a loud voice, "Father,
into your hands I commit my spirit." With that, he bowed his head and gave
up his spirit.
Temple veil torn in two, Sun shone again
Earth shook and tombs opened Math 2751,54 Mk
1538,39 Lu 2345,47
[Events]
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies
of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the
tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared
to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake
and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he
was the Son of God!"
Pierced, but legs not broken Jn 1931-37
[Events]
Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath.
Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath,
they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.
The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been
crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to
Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead,
one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow
of blood and water.
The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows
that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These
things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his
bones will be broken," and, as another scripture says, "They will look on
the one they have pierced."
Many women witnesses Math
2755,56 Mk 1540,41 Lu 2348,49
[Events]
When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him stood at a distance, watching these things. Many women, who had followed Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem to care for his needs, were there. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and Joses, and Salome the mother of Zebedee's sons.
Joseph given body of Jesus Math 2757-61
Mk 1542-47 Lu 2350-56 Jn
1938-42
[Events]
At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden
a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. It was the Jewish day of
Preparation. Now there was a man named Joseph from the Judean town of Arimathea,
a member of the Council, a good and upright man. He was waiting for the kingdom
of God and had himself become a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he
feared the Jews. He had not consented to their decision and action. Going
to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he
was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already
died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so he gave the body
to Joseph.
Then accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night,
they took the body down. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes,
about seventy-five pounds. So taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped
it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish
burial customs. They placed the body in a tomb cut in the rock and rolled
a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were sitting there opposite the
tomb. They saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home
and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience
to the commandment.
A Guard is posted at the Tomb Math
2762-66
[Events]
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.' So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
On the first day of the week Math 281 Mk 161-3,9 Lu 241,10 Jn 201a
[Events]
When the Sabbath was over, very early, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons, Mary the mother of James, Joanna, and Salome took spices they had prepared so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Just after sunrise, [while] they were on their way to the tomb they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"
An angel rolls back the stone Math 282-4
[Events]
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
Women at the tomb Math 285-10
Mk 164-8 Lu 242-9 Jn
201b
[Events]
But when [the women] looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. Mary Magdalene ran to tell Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved.
[The other women also] entered the tomb, [but] did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them on the right side. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground. [One of] the angels said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. Why do you look for the living among the dead? See the place where they laid him. He is not here; he has risen!, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again'." Then they remembered his words. Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Filled with joy, they ran to tell the Eleven and to his disciples.
Peter and John go to the tomb Lu 2412 Jn 202-10
[Events]
[Meanwhile] Mary told the disciples [Peter and John], "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" So Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there by themselves, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Wondering to himself what had happened he went away.
Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.
Mary meets her risen Lord Jn 2011-17
[Events]
But Mary [returned and] stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God'."
Disciples told, but did not believe Mk 1610,11 Lu 2411 Jn 2018
[Events]
Mary Magdalene [then] went to the disciples, who were mourning and weeping with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. But they did not believe [Mary or] the [other] women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. They did not believe it.
The guards are bribed Math 2811-15
[Events]
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
On the Way to Emmaus Mk 1612,13 Lu
2413-35
[Events]
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about
seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything
that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other,
Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from
recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you
walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem
and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" "What
things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet,
powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests
and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified
him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.
And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition,
some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but
didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of
angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb
and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all
that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things
and then enter his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets,
he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself."
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if
he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it
is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it
and began to give it to them.
Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from
their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us
while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" They
got up, returned at once to Jerusalem and reported it to the Eleven* and
those with them assembled together who said, "It is true! The Lord has risen
and has appeared to Simon. Then the two told what had happened on the way,
and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke bread. But they did not
believe them either.
[* Losing Judas, the 12 had become 'the Eleven'. John still refers to them as 'the Twelve'. Jn 2024 Note also that Thomas was not with them.]
Jesus eats with Disciples Mk 1614
Lu 2436-45 Jn 2019-25
[Events]
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself came and stood among
them, [though] the doors were locked for fear of the Jews. [He] said, "Peace
be with you!" They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.
He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?
Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does
not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." [And] he rebuked them for their
lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him
after he had risen. While they still did not believe it because of joy and
amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him
a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.
He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything
must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets
and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the
Scriptures.
After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were
overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending
you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive
them, they are not forgiven."
Now Thomas, (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples
when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my
finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe
it."
Thomas Believes Jn 2026-29
[Events]
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Disciples go to Galilee Math 2816,17
[Events]
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.
Jesus appears to Disciples Jn 211-14
[Events]
Afterwards Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias.
It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from
Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go
with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught
nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples
did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven't
you any fish?" "No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right
side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable
to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon
as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment
around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other
disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were
not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it,
and some bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just
caught." Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full
of large fish, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to
them, "Come and have breakfast."
None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the
Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with
the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after
he was raised from the dead.
Jesus speaks to Peter Jn 2115-23
[Events]
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John,
do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that
I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered,
"Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter
was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said,
"Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed
my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself
and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your
hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want
to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would
glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them.
(This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had
said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") When Peter saw him, he asked,
"Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until
I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." Because of this, the
rumour spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus
did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain
alive until I return, what is that to you?"
[The disciples then returned to Jerusalem.]
Last Instructions Math
2818-20 Mk 1615-18 Lu 2446-49 Act 14-8
[Events]
[Jesus] told them, "This is what is written: 'The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.'
I am going to send you what my Father has promised which you have heard me speak about; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
[Note: Math 2818-20 may have been spoken in Jerusalem.]
[Then] they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Disciples witness the Ascension of Jesus Mk 1619 Lu 2450-53 Act 19-12
[Events]
When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands
and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken
up into heaven, he sat at the right hand of God and a cloud hid him from
their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly
two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said,
"why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been
taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen
him go into heaven."
Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the
Mount of Olives with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple,
praising God.
Disciples Obey Instructions Mk 1620
[Events]
Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
A Postscript Jn 2125
[Events]
Jesus did many other things as well. If everyone of them were written down,
I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that
would be written.
Jn 2030,31
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which
are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have
life in his name.
