WHY THIS IS GOOD NEWS - MATTHEW.
This is based on the N.I.V. translation and the
Nestle Greek text of Matthew's Gospel written
about A.D. 60 or 27 lifetimes ago. (Comments are
in brackets).
A record of Jesus' ancestry from Abraham to His
father Joseph is given. It shows 14 generations
from Abraham to David, 14 from David to the
exile in Babylon and 14 from the exile to the
Christ.
Jesus' mother was pledged in marriage to Joseph.
Before consummation, she became pregnant through
the Holy Spirit. Righteous husband Joseph,
unwilling to publicly disgrace her, planned a
quiet divorce.
But the Lord's angel in a dream told him "not
to fear and to take Mary home as your wife,
because her conception was from the Holy Spirit.
She'll have a son to be named Jesus, because
He'll save His people from their sins."
This was to fulfill the Lord's word through
the prophet Micah (5:2), "The virgin will bear a
son, called Immanuel - meaning 'God is with
us.'"
Joseph woke and did as instructed. But he had
no sex with her 'til her son was born. Joseph
named Him Jesus.
(Chapter 1)
Jesus was born in Bethlehem during King Herod's
reign. Wise eastern men came to Jerusalem and
asked "Where's the one born as king of the Jews?
We've seen His star in the east and have come to
worship Him."
King Herod heard and he and all Jerusalem was
disturbed. He asked the people's chief priests
and law teachers where the Christ was to be
born. "In Bethlehem" they replied, as the
prophet wrote
"Out of Bethlehem, in Judah's land,
will come a ruler to be shepherd of
my people Israel."
Herod called the wise men secretly and found
exactly when the star appeared. He sent them to
Bethlehem saying "When you find Him, tell me so
I can worship Him."
They went, following the star 'til it stopped
where the child was. Overjoyed, they bowed down
and worshipped Jesus presenting gifts of gold,
incense and myrrh. Warned in a dream not to tell
Herod they returned east by another route.
Then the Lord's angel told Joseph in a dream
"Arise, escape with Jesus and Mary to Egypt
staying until I tell you, for Herod will search
for Jesus to kill Him."
So Joseph fled to Egypt with Jesus and Mary
that night, staying 'til Herod died. This
fulfilled the Lord's word through prophet Hosea
(11:1). "Out of Egypt I've called my son."
Outwitted by the wise men, furious Herod
ordered all boys in and around Bethlehem, two
years old and under, to be killed. So Jeremiah's
prophecy (31:15) was fulfilled.
When Herod died, an angel told Joseph in a
dream it was safe to return home.
So he arose and went with Jesus and Mary.
Hearing Herod's son ruled Judea he feared going
there. Being warned in a dream he went to
Nazareth in Galilee. Prophets had predicted
Jesus would be called a Nazarene (= despised).
(Chapter 2)
John the Baptist came preaching in the Judean
desert, "Repent (turn completely around from
running your life your way to letting God
run it 100%), for the kingdom of Heaven
(Jesus) is near." Prophet Isaiah predicted this
(Isa. 40:3).
He wore camel hair clothes and a leather belt,
and ate locusts and wild honey. People went to
him from Jerusalem, and all Judea and the
Jordan. They confessed sins and he baptised them
in the Jordan.
But he said to the Pharisees and Sadducees
(the religious establishment people - legalists
and political powerbrokers): "You brood of
vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming
wrath? Produce fruit to prove a 100% change of
heart. Your pedigree won't save you.God can make
these stones into people with hearts in tune
with His. Judgment is now. Prove you're God's
people by loving Him and others 100%. If you
don't, like a fruitless tree, into the fire
you'll go."
"I baptise with water to signify your 100%
commitment to God. But one more powerful is
coming whose sandals I'm not fit to carry. He'll
baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Like
a farmer threshing wheat He'll gather the wheat
into His barn and burn the chaff."
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to
be baptised by John. But John said, "Why come to
me, I need you to baptise me?"
Jesus said, "It's right to do it to publicly
show my commitment to God and His approval."
John consented, Jesus went up out of the water
and:
-Heaven opened.
-He saw the Spirit of God descending like a
dove and lighting on Him.
-A voice from heaven said,
-"This is my son, whom I love.
-With Him I'm well pleased."
(Chapter 3)
The Spirit then led Jesus into the desert to
be tempted and tested by the devil. After
fasting 40 days He was hungry. The tempter came
and said,
-"Let's see if you're REALLY God's Son,
-Tell these stones to become bread."
-Jesus answered, "God's word says: (Deut. 8:3)
-Man doesn't live on bread alone,
-But on every word that comes from God's
mouth."
-Then the devil took Him to Jerusalem,
-Had Him stand on the Temple's highest point
and said,
-"Let's see if you're REALLY God's Son,
-Throw yourself down
-For God's word says,
-'He'll command His angels to *lift
you up in their hands so you won't
strike your foot against a
stone.'" (*The devil omits "to
guard you in all your ways.")
-Jesus answered, "God's word also says:
-'Don't put the Lord your God to the test.'"
(Deut. 6:16).
-The devil took Him to a very high mountain,
showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and
their splendour and said
-"I'll give you all this if you'll bow and
worship me."
-Jesus replied,
-"Away Satan, God's word says : 'Worship the
Lord your God and serve Him only.'"
-Then the devil left and angels came and
attended Him.
Hearing John had been imprisoned, Jesus
returned to Galilee, left Nazareth and lived in
Capernaum by the lake. Being in the
Zebulun/Napthali area this fulfilled Isaiah's
prophecy (9:1,2).
-"Land of Zebulun and Napthali, by the sea
along the Jordan,
-Galilee of the Gentiles -
-The people living in darkness
-Have seen a great light;
-A light's dawned on those living in the
land of
-The shadow of death."
Then Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for
heaven's kingdom's drawn near." (Turn with 100%
commitment to me to-day).
Walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw
brothers Simon Peter and Andrew. Being fishermen
they were casting a net into the lake.
-Jesus said,
-"Come follow me and I'll make you fishers
of men."
-They immediately dropped their nets and
followed Him.
-Moving on, Jesus saw brothers James and John
in a boat with father Zebedee preparing
their nets.
-Jesus called them,
-They immediately left boat and father and
followed Him.
Jesus went through Galilee:
-Teaching in synagogues,
-Preaching the Good News of the kingdom
-And healing every disease and sickness
among the people.
Word spread over the area north of Galilee
between Damascus and the Mediterranean. People
brought all those ill with various diseases,
those suffering
-Severe pain,
-Demon possession,
-Seizures,
-Paralysis,
-And He healed them.
Large crowds came and followed Him from
-Galilee,
-The area east of the Sea of Galilee (noted
for its high Greek culture) south to modern
Amman in Jordan,
-Jerusalem,
-Judea and the region across the Jordan.
(Chapter 4)
Seeing the crowds, He went up on a
mountainside, sat down, His disciples came and
He began to teach them, saying:
(This is who you are)
-"There's peace of heart for the unassuming
-Because they allow me to rule.
-There's peace of heart for those who mourn
for the human condition
-Because they shall be comforted.
-There's peace of heart for those quietly
submissive to my will
-Because they'll inherit the earth.
-There's peace of heart for those who
fervently seek faithfulness truth and
justice
-For they'll find it in full.
-There's peace of heart for the merciful
-For they'll be shown mercy.
-There's peace of heart for the pure in heart
-For they'll see God.
-There's peace of heart for the peacemakers
-For they'll be called God's sons.
-There's peace of heart for those persecuted
for being faithful to me
-For they enjoy my rule.
-There's peace of heart, when people insult,
persecute and falsely say all kinds of evil
against you because of me.
-Rejoice and be glad because great is your
reward in heaven for thus the prophets
before you were persecuted.
-You're the salt of the earth. Small in size,
big in impact, flavouring, preserving.
-But lose your saltiness and you're good for
nothing except to be thrown out and
trampled by men.
-You're the light of the world.
-A city on a hill can't be hidden.
-A light's put on a stand so everyone can
see, not lit then covered up leaving
everyone in the dark again.
-Likewise, let the light of your good deeds
shine before men so they praise your
Father in heaven.
(This is how you're to live as salt and light).
-I've come to fulfill,not abolish, the law and
the prophets. The truth is, that 'til heaven
and earth disappear, every last detail of
the law will be accomplished.
-So, if you break any commandment, and
teach others to do so,
-You'll be called least in my
kingdom.
-But if you practise and teach them,
-You'll be called great in my
kingdom.
-Unless your faithfulness to God surpasses
that of the Pharisees and law teachers
(legalistic religious establishment
people) there's no way you'll enter
my kingdom (the peace and security of
living under God's rule).
-The law says 'Don't murder, to do so brings
judgment.'
-But I say,
-Anger with your brother brings judgment.
-Abusive language against him makes you
answerable at court.
-Call him a fool and you'll be in danger
of hell's fire.
-If you bring a gift offering to God and
remember your brother has something
against you,
-Leave your gift before God
-Go and be reconciled to him
-Then return and offer your gift.
-Settle quickly with your adversary before
he takes you to court. Otherwise you
might pass from judge to officer to
prison where you'll stay 'til the last
cent's paid.
-The law says 'Don't commit adultery.'
-But I say,
-Look lustfully at a woman and you've
committed adultery in your heart.
-So if your right eye causes you to sin,
gouge it out and throw it away.
-Likewise your right hand, cut it off
and throw it away.
-Better to lose part of your body than
for all of it to go to hell.
-The law says, 'Anyone divorcing his wife must
give her a certificate of divorce.'
-But I say,
-Divorcing your wife except for
unfaithfulness makes her an adulteress
and anyone marrying her commits
adultery.
-The law says 'Don't break your oaths to the
Lord.'
-But I say,
-Don't swear at all either by:
-Heaven, for it's God's throne,
-Or by earth, it's God's footstool.
-Or by Jerusalem, it's God's city.
-Your head, for you can't make one hair
black or white.
-Simply let your 'yes' mean 'yes' and your
'no', 'no.' Anything beyond this comes
from the devil.
-The law says 'An eye for an eye and a tooth
for a tooth'
-But I say,
-Don't resist the evil person.
-If he strikes your right cheek turn the
other also.
-If he sues for your tunic, give him
your cloak as well.
-If he forces you to go a mile, go two
with him.
-Give to anyone asking.
-Don't turn away from anyone who wants to
borrow.
-The law says 'Love your neighbour and hate
your enemy.'
-But I say,
-Love your enemies,
-Pray for those persecuting you,
-That you may be sons of your heavenly
Father.
-He makes His sun shine on both evil
and good and His rain fall on both
the faithful and unfaithful.
-What's the reward for loving those who
love you?
-Even the tax collectors do that.
-If you greet only your brothers, you do
no more than others.
-Even pagans do that.
-Be perfect, the same as your heavenly
Father.
(Chapter 5)
-Don't make a show of your good works to get
men's approval.
-Do that and you'll get no reward from
your heavenly Father.
-When giving to the needy, do it in secret.
-Your Father sees what's done secretly and
will reward you.
-Don't, like the hypocrites, announce it
with trumpets in the synagogue and on
the streets to get men's praise. That's
the full reward they'll get.
-Don't pray like the hypocrites
-Who love to pray standing in the
synagogues
-And on street corners
-To get men's approval. That's the full
reward they'll get.
-Instead, pray to your heavenly Father in
your room, with the door closed.
-He sees what's done in secret and will
reward you.
-And when praying, don't babble on like the
pagans
-Who think they'll be heard because of
many words.
-Remember, your Father knows your needs
before you ask.
-So pray like this,
-OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN,
-HONOURED BE YOUR NAME,
-YOUR COMPLETE RULE COME,
-YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IN
HEAVEN.
-GIVE US TO-DAY'S BREAD.
-FORGIVE US OUR SINS
-AS WE'VE FORGIVEN THOSE WHO'VE SINNED
AGAINST US.
-AND DON'T BRING US INTO TEMPTATION,
-BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE
(SATAN).
-Forgive men when they sin against you
-And your heavenly Father will forgive
you.
-Don't forgive them and He won't forgive
you.
-Don't fast like the sombre looking hypocrites
-Who disfigure their faces to get men's
approval,
-Which is the full reward they'll get.
-Instead, put oil on your head and wash your
face,
-So your fasting won't be obvious to men,
-But only to your unseen Father,
-Who sees what's done in secret and
will reward you.
-Don't store up earthly treasures,
-For destruction by moth and rust
-Or removal by thieves.
-But store up treasures in heaven
-Safe from moth, rust and thieves
-Because your heart is where your treasure
is.
-The eye's the body's lamp.
-If your eyes are pure and clean your
whole body will be full of light.
-If not you'll be full of darkness.
-If the light within you is darkness
-There's a great blackness within.
-You can't serve two masters
-Because you'll hate and despise one and
love and be devoted to the other.
-You cannot serve both God and money.
-Don't worry about your life or body,
-What to eat, drink and wear.
-Life's more important than food
-The body more important than clothes.
-Food? Look at the birds.
-They don't sow, reap or store in barns
-Yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
-Aren't you more valuable than them?
-And can worry add a single hour to your
life?
-Why worry about clothes? See how the lilies
of the field grow.
-They don't labour or spin
-Yet Solomon in all his glory wasn't
dressed like one of them.
-God clothes the field's grass like that
which is here to-day and to-morrow
burnt.
-So, won't He much more clothe you, who
have such little faith?
-So don't worry about food,drink or clothes.
-The pagans run after such things
-And your heavenly Father knows you need
them.
-BUT SEEK FIRST HIS 100% RULE IN YOUR LIFE AND
HIS FAITHFULNESS
AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE YOURS AS WELL.
SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT TO-MORROW
IT WILL LOOK AFTER ITSELF.
ONE DAY'S TROUBLE AT A TIME IS ENOUGH.
(Chapter 6)
-Don't judge (others) or you'll be judged,
-And the measure you use to judge others
-Will be used to measure you.
-Why look at the speck of sawdust in your
brother's eye
-And ignore the plank in your own?
-With a plank in your eye can you remove
his speck?
-Hypocrite, first remove your plank
-Then, with clear vision, remove your
brother's speck.
-Don't give dogs what's sacred
-Or throw pearls to pigs
-Or they may trample them, turn and tear
you to pieces.
-Ask and it will be given you,
-Seek and you'll find.
-Knock and the door will be opened to you.
-If your son asks for bread or fish
-Will you give him a stone or a snake?
-You're evil and yet give good gifts to
your children.
-So how much more will your Father in heaven
give good gifts to those who ask Him?
-IN EVERYTHING DO TO OTHERS WHAT YOU'D HAVE
THEM DO TO YOU. THIS SUMS UP THE LAW AND THE
PROPHETS (ALL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT).
-Enter by the narrow gate.
-The wide gate and broad road leads to
destruction.
-Many enter through it.
-But the gate's small and the way narrow
that leads to life
-And only a few find it.
-Watch out for false prophets.
-They're ferocious wolves dressed in sheep's
clothing.
-You'll recognise them by what their lives
produce.
-You don't get grapes from thornbushes
-Or figs from thistles.
-Likewise good trees bear good fruit and
bad trees bad fruit.
-A good tree can't bear bad fruit nor a
bad tree good fruit.
-Trees bearing bad fruit are cut down and
burned.
-So by their fruit you'll recognise them.
-Saying 'Lord, lord' to me doesn't prove
you've entered the kingdom of heaven
(where Christ rules you 100%).
-IT'S DOING THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHO IS
IN HEAVEN THAT PROVES YOU'VE ENTERED.
-On Judgment Day many will say 'Lord,
Lord, we prophesied, drove out demons and
performed miracles in your name.'
-And I'll tell them plainly, 'I never knew
you, away from me, you evildoers.'
-So if you hear these words of mine and put
them into practice, you'll be like a
-Wise man who built his house on a rock.
-The rains came, streams arose and winds
blew,
-But it didn't fall
-Because its foundation was rock.
-But if you hear these words of mine and
don't put them into practice,you're like a
-Foolish man who built his house on sand.
-Then the rains came, streams rose,
winds blew,
-And the house fell with a great crash."
When Jesus finished saying these things the
crowds were amazed because He taught with
authority and not as their teachers of the law.
(Chapter 7)
-Coming down from the mountainside large
crowds followed.
-A leprous man knelt before Him saying,
"Lord,
-If you're willing, make me clean."
-Jesus reached out His hand, touched him
and said, "I'm willing, be clean."
-His leprosy was immediately cured.
-Then Jesus said, "Don't tell anyone, show
yourself to the priest and offer the
gift Moses commanded as testimony
(proof) to them."
-Entering Capernaum, a (Roman) centurion asked
for help saying,
-"Lord, my servant's at home suffering
terribly from paralysis."
-Jesus said, "I'll go and heal him."
-The centurion said, "I don't deserve you
under my roof, just say the word and he'll
be healed. Like me giving orders and my
soldiers obeying."
-Astonished, Jesus said to those following,
"Truthfully I've not found anyone in
Israel with such faith.
-I tell you many (Gentiles without
religious pedigrees) coming from east
and west, will take their places at the
Feast of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in
- heaven's kingdom (where God rules).
-But the subjects of the kingdom (those
relying on their religious pedigree
instead of a real personal relationship of
faith in God) will be thrown outside into
the darkness where there'll be weeping and
gnashing of teeth."
-Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It
will be done just as you believed it
would."
-And his servant was healed that very
hour.
-Peter's mother-in-law lay in bed with a
fever, in his house. Arriving, Jesus saw
her, touched her hand, the fever left and
she arose and began to wait on Him.
-That evening many demon possessed were
brought to Him. He drove out the spirits
with a word and healed all the sick. Thus
Isaiah's prophecy (53:4) was fulfilled:
-"He took our infirmities
and bore our diseases."
-Seeing the crowd around Him, He gave orders
to cross to the other side of the lake.
-A teacher of the law said,
-"I'll follow you wherever you go."
-Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and
birds have nests but the Son of Man has
no place to lay His head."
-Another disciple said, "Lord, first let me
go and bury my father."
-Jesus replied, "Follow me and let the
(spiritually) dead bury the (physically)
dead."
-Then He got into the boat with His
disciples. Without warning a furious storm
caused waves to sweep over the boat. But
Jesus slept. Waking Him the disciples
said, "Lord save us! We're going to
drown!"
-Jesus replied, "You of little faith, why
fear?"
He got up, rebuked wind and waves and
there was complete calm.
-Arriving at the other side and travelling
south east to the (Gentile) region of
Gadara (or Gerasa), two demon possessed
men coming from the tombs met Him. They
were so violent no one could pass that
way.
-They shouted, "What do you want with us,
Son of God? Have you come to torture us
before Judgment Day?"
-A large herd of pigs was feeding in the
distance.
-The demons begged Jesus. "If you drive us
out send us into the pigs."
-He said to them, "Go."
-They came out of the men, went into the
pigs and they all rushed down the steep
bank into the lake and drowned.
-Their herdsmen ran off into the town and
reported all this.
-The whole town went out, met Jesus and
pleaded that He leave their region.
(Chapter 8)
Jesus got into a boat and crossed the lake to
His own town (Capernaum).
-Men brought a paralytic man lying on a mat to
Him.
-Seeing their faith, He said, "Take heart,
son, your sins are forgiven."
-Some teachers of the law said to themselves
"This fellow is blaspheming."
-Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said "Why
entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
-Is it easier to say 'Your sins are
forgiven' or 'Get up and walk?'"
-Then He said to the paralytic, "Get up,
take your mat and go home."
-And he did.
-Seeing this, the crowds were filled with
awe and they praised God for giving such
authority to men.
-Going on from there He saw Matthew
sitting at the tax collector's booth.
"Follow me" Jesus said.
And he did.
Having dinner at Matthew's house, many
tax collectors and "sinners" came and
ate with Jesus and His disciples.
-Seeing this, the Pharisees (legalistic
religious establishment people) asked
His disciples, "Why does your teacher
eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
-Hearing this, Jesus said,"The sick need a
doctor not the healthy.
-Go and learn what this means 'I desire
mercy and not sacrifice' (Hosea 6:6,
Micah 6:6-8).
-For I've come not to call the righteous
but sinners."
-Then John's disciples came and asked, "How
come we and the Pharisees fast, but your
disciples don't?"
-Jesus answered, "Can the bridegroom's
guests mourn while He's with them?
-The time will soon come when He'll be
taken from them, then they will fast.
-You don't sew a patch of unshrunk cloth
on an old garment, because it will pull
away making the tear worse.
-Nor do you put new wine into old
wineskins, because they'd burst and
you'd lose both the wine and the skins.
-No, new wine's for new wineskins and
both are preserved."
-While He was saying this a ruler came and
knelt before Him saying, "My daughter's
just died. But come, touch her and she'll
live."
-Jesus got up and went with him with His
disciples.
-Just then, a woman subject to bleeding
for twelve years, came up behind Him
and touched the edge of His cloak,
saying to herself, "If I only touch
His cloak, I'll be healed."
-Jesus turned, saw her and said, "Take
heart daughter, your faith has healed
you."
-She was healed immediately.
-Entering the ruler's house Jesus saw the
flute players and noisy crowd and said,
-"Go away, the girl's not dead but
asleep."
-But they laughed at Him.
-After the crowd was put outside, He went
in, took the girl by the hand and she
got up.
-News of this spread throughout all that
region.
-Going on from there, two blind men
followed, calling out, "Have mercy on us
son of David!"
-After going indoors they came to Him and
He asked,
-"Do you believe I can do this?"
-"Yes Lord," they replied.
-Then He touched their eyes and said,
-"According to your faith it will be
done to you."
-Their sight was restored and Jesus
sternly warned,
-"Tell no one about this."
-But they spread the news all over the
region.
-Going out, a demon possessed dumb man was
brought to Jesus.
-After Jesus drove the demon out the man
spoke.
-Amazed, the crowd said, "Nothing like
this has ever been seen in Israel."
-But the Pharisees said, "He drives demons
out by the prince of demons (Satan)."
-Jesus went through all the towns and
villages,
-Teaching in their synagogues,
-Preaching the Good News of the kingdom,
-Healing every disease and sickness.
-Seeing 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's plentiful
-But the labourers are few.
-So ask the Lord of the harvest
-To send out workers into His harvest
field."
(Chapter 9)
Jesus called His twelve disciples, giving them
authority to drive evil spirits out and heal
every disease and sickness.
-Their names are
-Simon (called Peter)
-Andrew his brother
-James son of Zebedee
-John his brother
-Philip
-Bartholomew
-Thomas
-Matthew the tax collector
-James son of Alphaeus
-Thaddaeus
-Simon the Zealot
-Judas Iscariot who betrayed Him.
-Jesus sent them out with these
instructions,
-"Don't go to the Gentiles or Samaritan
towns
-Go to the lost sheep of Israel and:
-Preach that heaven's kingdom's near
(the time for my rule).
-Heal the sick.
-Raise the dead.
-Cleanse the lepers.
-Drive demons out.
-Having freely received, freely give.
-Take no money.
-Take no bag for your journey.
-No extra tunic.
-No extra sandals.
-No extra staff.
-For the worker's worth his
keep.
-When you enter village or town
-Search for a worthy person to stay
with while you're there.
-Entering the home give it your
greeting.
-If it's deserving, let your peace
rest on it.
-If not let your peace return to
you.
-If you or your words aren't welcome
-Shake the dust of the house or town
off your feet.
-Truthfully I say it would be better
to be Sodom or Gomorrah than that
town on Judgment Day.
-Remember I'm sending you out as sheep
among wolves.
-So be shrewd as snakes and innocent
as doves.
-Beware of men, they'll
-Hand you over to local councils,
-Flog you in their synagogues.
-On my account they'll
-Bring you before governors and
kings
-As witnesses to them and the
Gentiles.
-But when arrested
-Don't worry about what to say
-Or how to say it.
-You'll be given what to say
-By the Spirit of your Father
speaking through you.
-Brother will betray brother to death
-And a father his child.
-Children will rebel against parents
-And have them put to death.
-All men will hate you because of me.
-But he who stands firm 'til the end
will be saved.
-When persecuted in one place flee to
another.
-Truthfully I say
-You'll not finish going through
Israel's cities before the Son of
Man comes.
-Teachers are above students
-And masters above servants.
-It's good enough for students to be
like teachers and servants like
masters.
-So if enemies call me Satan they'll
do at least the same to you.
-But don't fear them.
-Everything concealed will be
disclosed.
-Everything hidden will be made
known.
-What I tell you in the dark
-Speak in the daylight.
-What's whispered in your ear
-Proclaim from the rooftops.
-Don't fear those who kill the body
-But can't kill the soul.
-BUT FEAR GOD WHO CAN DESTROY BOTH
-BODY AND SOUL IN HELL.
-You can buy two sparrows for a few
cents,
-Yet not one will die apart from
your Father's will.
-Even the hairs of your head are
numbered.
-SO FEAR NOT, YOU'RE WORTH MORE THAN
MANY SPARROWS.
-Acknowledge me before men and
-I'll acknowledge you before my
Father in heaven.
-Disown me before men
-And I'll disown you before my
Father in heaven.
-I haven't come to bring peace to the
earth
-But a sword.
-I've come to turn
-A man against his father.
-A daughter against her mother.
-A daughter-in-law against her
mother-in-law.
-A man's enemies will be members
of his own household.
-Love father or mother
-Son or daughter
-More than me and you're not worthy
of me.
-If you don't take up your cross and
follow me
-You're not worthy of me.
-Live for yourself and you'll lose life.
-LOSE YOUR LIFE FOR MY SAKE
-AND YOU'LL FIND IT.
-He who receives you receives me
-And whoever receives me receives
-The one who sent me.
-Receive a prophet because he is one
-And you'll receive a prophet's
reward.
-Receive a righteous man because he is
one
-And you'll receive a righteous man's
reward.
-Give a cup of cold water to one of
these little ones because he's my
disciple, I tell you the truth, you'll
certainly not lose your reward."
(Chapter 10)
Having finished instructing His twelve
disciples, He continued on, teaching and
preaching in the towns of Galilee.
-In prison John heard what Christ was doing,
so he sent his disciples to ask "Are you the
one who was to come, or should we expect
someone else?"
-Jesus replied,
-"Tell John what you see and hear.
-Blind receive sight,
-Lame walk,
-Lepers are cured,
-Deaf hear,
-The dead are raised,
-And the Good News is preached to the
poor.
-Blessed is the man who doesn't fall away
because of me."
-As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus said
to the crowd concerning John:
-"What did you go into the desert to see?
-A reed swayed by the wind?
-One dressed in fine clothes?
-No, fine clothes are for kings'
palaces
-Did you go to see a prophet?
-Yes, and more than a prophet because
-This is the one about whom it's
written:
-I'll send my messenger ahead of you
-Who'll prepare your way before you.
-Truthfully, no one yet born of women is
greater than John the Baptist;
-Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven's
greater than he.
-From his days until now the kingdom of
heaven's been forcefully advancing
-And forceful men lay hold on it. (It
took courage because of opposition to
Christ).
-All the prophets and the law prophesied
until John.
-And if you're willing to accept it
-He is the Elijah who was to come.
(Mal. 4:5).
-He who has ears let him hear.
-What's this generation like?
-They're like children sitting in the
market places calling out:
'We played the flute and you didn't
dance,
We sang a dirge and you didn't
mourn.'
-For John came neither eating or
drinking
-And they say he has a demon.
-The Son of Man (I) came eating and
drinking
-And they say
-'Here's a glutton and a drunkard,
-A friend of tax collectors and
sinners.'
-But wisdom's (God's) proved right by
her actions."
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities where
He'd performed most of His miracles because they
wouldn't repent.
-"Woe to you Chorazin
-Woe to you Bethsaida.
-If the miracles performed in you had been
-Performed in Tyre and Sidon (in
Phoenician territory)
-They'd have repented long ago in
sackcloth and ashes.
-But it will be more bearable for Tyre
and Sidon on Judgment Day than for
you.
-And Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the
skies?
-No, you'll go down to the depths.
-If the miracles performed in you had been
performed in Sodom, it would be still
there to-day.
-But it will be more bearable for Sodom
than for you on Judgment Day."
At that time Jesus said
-"I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and
earth because you've hidden these things
from the wise and learned and revealed
them to little children. Yes, Father, for
this was your good pleasure.
-My Father's committed everything to me.Only
the Father knows me and only I, and those
to whom I choose to reveal Him, know the
Father.
-Come to me, all you weary and burdened and
I'll give you rest. Put on my yoke, learn
from me, for I'm gentle and humble in
heart and you'll find rest for your souls.
For my yoke's easy and my burden's light."
(Chapter 11)
At that time Jesus went through grainfields on
the Sabbath. His hungry disciples picked and ate
grain. Pharisees seeing this said "Your
disciples are breaking the Sabbath law."
-Jesus answered,
-"Haven't you read what David and his hungry
companions did? With them he entered God's
house and ate consecrated bread which only
priests can lawfully eat.
-Or haven't you read in the law that priests
in the Temple desecrate the Sabbath yet
are innocent?
-But I'm greater than the Temple.
-If you'd understood God when He said 'I
desire mercy, not sacrifice' (Hosea 6:6),
you wouldn't have condemned the innocent
-FOR (I) THE SON OF MAN, AM LORD OF THE
SABBATH."
Going from there, into their synagogue where
there was a man with a shrivelled hand, they
sought to accuse Jesus by asking, "Is it lawful
to heal on the Sabbath?"
-He replied, "If one of your sheep fell into a
pit on the Sabbath wouldn't you lift it out?
-A man's worth a lot more than a sheep so it's
lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
-Then He said to the man,
-"Stretch out your hand."
-He did and it was completely healed.
-But the Pharisees went out and plotted Jesus'
death.
Knowing this Jesus withdrew.
-Many followed Him and He:
-Healed all their sick and
-Warned them not to tell who He was.
-This fulfilled God's word through the
prophet Isaiah,
-"Here's my chosen servant
-Whom I love,
-In whom I delight;
-I'll put my Spirit on Him, and
-He'll proclaim justice to nations.
-He won't quarrel or cry out;
-His voice won't be heard in the
streets.
-He won't break a bruised reed or
-Snuff out a smouldering wick,
-'til He leads justice to victory.
-In His name the nations will put
their hope." (Isa. 42:1-4)
-Then He completely healed a demon possessed
blind, dumb man. All the people were
astonished saying, "Could this be the
Messiah?"
-But the Pharisees said, "This fellow uses
Satan to drive out demons."
-Knowing their thoughts Jesus said,
-"A kingdom, city or household divided
against itself will fall.
-If Satan drives out Satan, he's divided
against himself.
-So how can his kingdom stand?
-If I drive out demons by Satan, by whom
do you drive them out?
-So you'll be their judges.
-BUT IF I DRIVE OUT DEMONS BY GOD'S SPIRIT
THEN HIS KINGDOM (RULE) HAS COME UPON
YOU.
-In other words, the only way to rob a
strong man's house is to tie him up
first.
-If you're not with me you're against me.
-If you don't gather with me you scatter.
-You can be forgiven every sin and blasphemy
-BUT YOU WON'T BE FORGIVEN FOR BLASPHEMY
AGAINST GOD'S SPIRIT.
-You can speak against me and be forgiven
-But you won't be forgiven for speaking
against the Holy Spirit
-Either in this age (now) or
-In the age to come (forever).
-A good tree bears good fruit
-A bad tree bad.
-A bad tree's recognised by its fruit.
-You brood of vipers, you're evil.
-How can you say anything good?
-What's in your heart comes out your
mouth.
-The good man brings out the good in him.
-The evil man brings out the evil in him.
-YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR
-Every careless word you've spoken on
Judgment Day.
-Your words will either
-Acquit or
-Condemn you."
Then some of the Pharisees (religious
establishment people) and law teachers said to
Him, "Show us a miraculous sign."
-He answered,
-"Only a wicked and adulterous generation
asks for a miraculous sign.
-The only sign you'll get is the sign of
Jonah.
-He spent three days in a huge fish's
belly.
-Likewise I'll spend three days in the
grave.
-Nineveh's men repented at Jonah's
preaching so, in the judgment, they'll
condemn this generation BECAUSE ONE
GREATER THAN JONAH IS HERE.
-Likewise, the Queen of Sheba will rise up
at the judgment and condemn this
generation for she came from earth's end
to listen to Solomon's wisdom.
AND ONE GREATER THAN SOLOMON'S HERE.
-An evil spirit leaving a man seeks a
resting place.
-Finding none it returns to the man it
left
-Bringing seven worse spirits with it.
-So the man's worse off than before.
-THAT'S THE WAY IT WILL BE WITH THIS WICKED
GENERATION."
While still speaking to the crowd, Jesus' mother
and brothers stood outside wanting to speak to
Him. When told, Jesus said,
-"Who are my mother and brothers?"
-Pointing to His disciples He said,
-"Here are my mother and brothers,
-WHOEVER DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER IN
HEAVEN IS MY BROTHER, SISTER AND
MOTHER."
(Chapter 12)
Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.
But such large crowds gathered that He got into
and sat in a boat. Then He told them many things
in parables.
-As a farmer sowed his seed
-Some fell on the path.
-So birds came and ate it.
-Some fell on rocky places where there
wasn't much soil.
-It sprouted quickly in the shallow soil.
-But when the sun rose, the plants
scorched and died, lacking roots.
-Other seed fell among thorns
-Which grew and choked the plants.
-STILL OTHER FELL ON GOOD SOIL PRODUCING A
CROP
-A HUNDRED, SIXTY OR THIRTY TIMES WHAT WAS
SOWN.
-HE WHO HAS EARS, LET HIM HEAR.
-The disciples asked Him why He spoke to the
people in parables.
-He said
-"Knowledge of the kingdom of heaven's
secrets has been given to you, but not to
them.
-He who has will be given more, he'll have
an abundance.
-He who doesn't, will have what he has
taken from him.
-I speak in parables because:
-Though seeing they don't.
-Though hearing they don't, nor
understand.
-Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled in them:
-'You're ever hearing but never
understanding.
-You're ever seeing but never
perceiving.
-For their hearts have become
calloused.
-They hardly hear
-And they've closed their eyes.
-Otherwise they'd
-See
-Hear
-Understand with their hearts
-And turn and I'd heal them.'
-But blessed are your eyes because they see
and your ears because they hear.
-Truthfully, many prophets and righteous
men
-Longed to see what you see but didn't
-And hear what you hear but didn't.
-This is what the Parable of the Sower means:
-The seed sown on the path represents
-Anyone hearing the message about the
kingdom and not understanding.
-So Satan snatches away what's sown in
his heart.
-The seed sown on the rocky places
represents
-The man who hears and receives the Word
in joy,
-But having no root, he quickly falls
away
-When trouble or persecution comes
because of the Word.
-The seed sown among thorns represents
-The man hearing the Word, which is made
unfruitful, being
-Choked by this life's worries
-And wealth's deceitfulness.
-But the good soil represents
-The man who hears and understands the
Word
-Producing a crop yielding
-One hundred, sixty or thirty times
what was sown."
-Jesus told them another parable:
-"The kingdom of heaven (where God rules- is
seen in action, i.e. Jesus Christ) is like
-A man who sowed good seed in his field.
-But when asleep his enemy sowed weeds
among the wheat.
-So up came the wheat
-And also the weeds.
-The owner's servants asked him, 'How
come?'
-'An enemy did it' he replied.
-'Shall we pull up the weeds?' they asked.
-He answered, 'No for you may root up the
wheat with them. Wait 'til harvest then
-First collect and tie the weeds in
bundles for burning
-Then gather the wheat into my barn.'"
-He told them another parable:
-"Heaven's kingdom is like a mustard seed.
Planted, it's the smallest of your seeds
but it grows into a tree birds can come
and perch in."
-He told them another parable:
-"Heaven's kingdom's like yeast.
-A small amount changes a large amount of
dough to produce good bread."
-Jesus spoke to the crowd only in parables,
fulfilling the prophet's words (of Psalm
78:2).
'I'll open my mouth in parables
And utter things hidden since
the world's creation.'
Leaving the crowd and going into the house, His
disciples asked Him to explain the Parable of
the Weeds.
-He answered,
-"I sow the good seed,
-The field's the world.
-The seeds are the sons of the kingdom
(believers in Jesus Christ).
-The weeds are Satan's sons.
-Satan is the one who sows them.
-The harvest is the end of the age.
-The harvesters are angels.
-As weeds are uprooted and burned
-So it will be at the end of the age.
-I'll send out my angels.
-They'll weed out of my kingdom
everything
-That causes sin and
-All who do evil.
-They'll throw them into the fiery
furnace
-Where there'll 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.
-Heaven's kingdom's like treasure hidden in a
field.
-A man found it, hid it again
-Then joyfully sold all he had
-And bought the field.
-Again heaven's kingdom's like
-A merchant looking for fine pearls.
-Finding one of great value
-He sold everything he had and bought
it.
Again, heaven's kingdom's like a fishing net
-That catches all sorts of fish.
-Hauled ashore, fishermen put good fish in
baskets
-And throw the bad away.
THAT'S HOW IT'LL BE AT THE END OF THE AGE.
-ANGELS WILL SEPARATE THE WICKED FROM THE
RIGHTEOUS
-AND THROW THEM INTO THE FIERY FURNACE
-WHERE THERE'LL BE WEEPING AND
GNASHING OF TEETH."
Jesus asked, "Have you understood all this?"
"Yes," they replied.
He said to them, "Teachers of God's law who've
been instructed about heaven's kingdom are like
a houseowner who
-Brings out of his storeroom
new treasures as well as old."
After this teaching Jesus came to Nazareth where
He taught in the synagogue.
-Amazed, people asked
-"Where did He get this wisdom and
-These miraculous powers?
-Isn't He the carpenter's son,
-Isn't His mother Mary?
-Aren't His brothers James, Joseph, Simon
and Judas?
-Aren't all His sisters with us?
-Where did this man get all these things?"
-And they took offence at Him.
-But Jesus said
-"Only in his hometown and own house is a
prophet without honour."
AND HE DIDN'T DO MANY MIRACLES THERE BECAUSE OF
THEIR LACK OF FAITH.
(Chapter 13)
Herod (Antipas) the Tetrarch (Rome's military
Prefect of Galilee), hearing about Jesus said,
"He's John the Baptist risen from the dead,
hence the miracles."
-Herod had arrested, bound and imprisoned John
for saying his marriage was unlawful. He had
married Herodias the wife of his brother
Philip. Herod wanted to kill John but feared
the people who considered him a prophet.
-On Herod's birthday, Herodias' daughter
pleased him so much with a dance that he
promised on oath to give her whatever she
wanted. Prompted by her mother, she asked
for John's head on a platter. Distressed,
but because of his oaths and dinner guests,
he had John beheaded in prison, his head
brought on a platter to the girl who carried
it to her mother.
-John's disciples took and buried his body
then told Jesus.
Jesus withdrew by boat privately to a solitary
place. Crowds followed on foot. Landing, Jesus
saw a large crowd, had compassion on them and
healed their sick.
-At evening, it being a remote place, the
disciples advised Him to dismiss the crowds
so they could go and buy food in the
villages.
-Jesus said, "They don't need to go, you feed
them."
-They replied, "We only have five loaves of
bread and two fish."
-"Bring them to me" He said.
-He told the people to sit on the grass.
-He took the loaves and fishes,
-Looked up to heaven,
-Gave thanks,
-Broke the loaves,
-Gave them to the disciples,
-Who gave them to the people.
-All ate and were satisfied
-And the disciples picked up twelve
basketfuls of leftovers.
-About 5000 men were fed, plus women and
children.
Immediately Jesus made the disciples go by boat
ahead of Him to the other side while He
dismissed the crowd. Then He went up on a
mountainside alone to pray. Still alone at
evening, the boat was far from land buffeted by
waves, the wind being against it.
-Between 3 & 6 a.m., Jesus went to them
walking on the lake. The terrified disciples
thinking it was a ghost, cried out in fear.
-But Jesus immediately said, "Take courage,
it's I. Don't fear."
-"If it's you," Peter said, "Tell me to come
to you on the water."
-"Come" He said.
-Peter started walking on the water toward
Jesus,
-But seeing the wind,
-He feared
-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?"
-They climbed into the boat.
-The wind died
-And those in the boat worshipped Him saying
-"TRULY YOU'RE THE SON OF GOD."
Having crossed, they landed at Gennesaret (north
western side of Sea of Galilee). Word spread,
people brought their sick and begged that they
might touch the edge of His cloak. All who
touched Him were healed.
(Chapter 14)
Then some Pharisees and law teachers (religious
establishment people) came to Jesus from
Jerusalem and asked "Why do your disciples break
the elders' tradition, not washing hands before
eating?"
-Jesus replied:
-"Why do you break God's command to keep
your tradition?
-God said, 'Honour your father and mother'
and
-'Anyone cursing father or mother must be
put to death.'
-But you say, A man can tell mother or
father 'The help I was going to give you
is a gift devoted (promised) to God'
so that he is not to 'honour his father'
with it.
-Thus you nullify God's word for the sake of
your tradition.
-Hypocrites!
-Isaiah rightly 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.'"
Jesus called the crowd and said,
-"Listen and understand.
-What goes into a man's mouth doesn't make
him 'unclean.'
-It's what comes out of his mouth that makes
him 'unclean.'"
-The disciples said, "Don't you know you've
offended the Pharisees?"
-Jesus said,
-"Every plant not planted by my heavenly
Father will be uprooted.
-Leave them. They're blind guides.
-When the blind lead the blind both fall
into a pit."
-Peter said, "Explain the parable to us."
-Jesus said, "Are you still so dull?
-Can't you see that what you eat just passes
through your body?
-Whereas what you say reveals your heart
condition.
-From the heart comes
-Evil thoughts
-Murder
-Adultery
-Sexual immorality
-Theft
-False testimony.
-These are what makes a man 'unclean'
-But eating with unwashed hands doesn't
make you 'unclean.'"
Leaving there, Jesus withdrew to Tyre and Sidon
(in Phoenician territory on the coast about 40
miles north west of Galilee). A Caananite woman
cried out
-"Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me,
-My daughter's suffering terribly from demon
possession."
-Jesus didn't answer.
-His disciples urged Him to "send her away for
she keeps crying after us."
-He answered, "I was sent only to the lost
sheep of Israel."
-The woman knelt before Him and said, "Lord
help me."
-He said, "It's not right to toss the
children's bread to their dogs."
-"Yes Lord" she replied, "but even the dogs
eat the crumbs from the master's table."
-Jesus answered, "Woman you've great faith.
Your request's granted."
-Her daughter was healed from that hour.
Jesus left there, went along the Sea of Galilee
and up on a mountainside and sat down.
-Great crowds brought lame, blind, crippled,
dumb and many others and laid them at His
feet.
-And He healed them.
-The people were amazed when they saw
-The dumb speaking
-The crippled made well
-The lame walking
-The blind seeing
AND THEY PRAISED ISRAEL'S GOD.
-Jesus called His disciples and said,
-"I've compassion on these people,
-They've been with me for 3 days
-And have nothing to eat.
-I don't want to dismiss them hungry
-Or they may collapse on the way."
-They answered, "How could we get enough bread
in this remote place to feed them?"
-"How many loaves have you?" He asked.
-"Seven and a few small fish," they replied.
-He told the crowd
-To sit,
-Then He took the loaves and fishes,
-Gave thanks,
-Broke them,
-Gave them to the disciples
-Who gave them to the people
-And all ate and were satisfied.
-Then the disciples gathered 7 baskets of
leftovers.
-About 4,000 men, plus women and children
were fed.
-After Jesus dismissed the crowd, He borrowed
a boat and went to the Magadan area.
(Chapter 15)
Pharisees and Sadducees tested Jesus asking for
a sign from heaven.
-He replied,
-"You say, 'Red sky at evening means fair
weather
-Red sky at morning means bad weather.'
-You can interpret the sky
-But not the signs of the times.
-A wicked adulterous generation looks for a
miraculous sign.
-But none will be given except the sign of
Jonah."
So Jesus left them.
Crossing the lake, the disciples forgot the
bread.
-Jesus said, "Be on guard against the yeast of
the Pharisees and Sadducees."
-They thought He was talking about the bread.
-Aware of this Jesus said,
-"You of little faith, why talk about bread?
-Do you STILL not understand?
-Don't you remember the 5 loaves for food
-And the basketfuls of leftovers you
gathered?
-Or the 7 loaves for the 4000
-And the basketfuls of leftovers you
gathered?
-Can't you see I'm not talking about bread?
-But be on your guard against the leaven of
the Pharisees and Sadducees."
-Then they understood He wasn't talking
about yeast and bread but against
-The TEACHING of the Pharisees and
Sadducees.
Coming to Caesarea Philippi Jesus asked His
disciples, "Who do people say I am?"
-They replied, "John the Baptist, Elijah,
Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
-Jesus asked, "But who do you say I am?"
-Simon Peter answered, "You're the Christ, the
Son of the living God."
-Jesus replied, "You're blessed Simon, son of
Jonah, for my Father in heaven revealed this
to you.
-You are Peter (rock) and on this rock I'll
build my church
-And the gates of hell won't overcome it.
-I'll give you the keys of heaven's
kingdom.
-What you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven.
-What you loose on earth will be loosed
in heaven."
-Then He warned His disciples not to tell
anyone He was the Christ (Messiah. The Jews
would have revolted against Rome at the
"drop of a hat.")
From then on Jesus explained to His disciples
that He must go to Jerusalem,
-Suffer much at the hands of elders, chief
priests and law teachers.
-Be killed and
-Be raised to life on the third day.
Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him,
"Never Lord!" he said, "This shall never happen
to you."
-Jesus, turning, said,
-"Get behind me Satan!
-You're a stumbling block to me.
-The things of God aren't on your mind.
-But the things of men."
Then Jesus said to His disciples
-"To follow me you must
-Deny yourself, take up your cross and
follow me.
-Selfishly save your life (for yourself)
and you'll lose it.
-Unselfishly lose your life (living) for
my sake and you'll find it.
-What's the use of gaining the whole world
and losing your soul?
-The soul's priceless, nothing on earth's
worth exchanging for it.
-For I'm going to come in my Father's
glory with His angels
-And reward you for your conduct.
-Some of you standing here will see me
coming in my kingdom before you die."
(Chapter 16)
Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John
in private, up into a high mountain (likely Mt
Hermon, right above Caesarea Philippi).
-He was transfigured before them,
-His face shone like the sun,
-His clothes being white as light.
-And they saw Moses and Elijah talking to
Him.
-Peter said, "It's good for us to be here. If
it's your will, I'll build three shelters,
one for each of you."
-While still speaking, a bright cloud
overshadowed them and from it a voice said
-"This is my Son
-Whom I love,
-With Him I'm well pleased.
-Listen to Him."
-Terrified, the disciples fell face down to
the ground.
-Jesus came, touched them and said
"Rise and fear not."
-Looking up they saw no one but Jesus.
-Descending the mountain Jesus instructed
-"Tell no one
-Until I've risen from the dead."
-They asked
-"Why do the law teachers say Elijah must
come first?"
-Jesus replied,
-"Elijah has come
-And instead of being recognised
-They killed him.
-Likewise I'm about to suffer."
-Then they understood He spoke of John the
Baptist.
Coming to the crowd a man approached, fell on
his knees and said,
-"Lord, pity my epileptic son
-Who often falls in the fire and water.
-I brought him to your disciples who
couldn't cure him."
-Jesus said,
-"O unbelieving and perverse generation.
-How long shall I be with and endure you?
-Bring him here."
-Jesus rebuked the demon, it came out
-And the boy was immediately healed.
-The disciples asked Jesus privately,
"Why couldn't we expel it?"
-He replied,
"Because of your little faith.
Genuine faith, even if it's as small as a
mustard seed, enables you to tell a
mountain to move and it will, so nothing
will be impossible for you."
Strolling in Galilee, Jesus said,
-"I'll be delivered into men's hands.
-They'll kill me
-And on the third day I'll be raised."
-They were grief stricken.
Arriving in Capernaum, tax collectors asked
Peter if Jesus paid the temple tax.
-He said, "Yes."
-Preceding him into the house Jesus asked,
-"Simon, what do you think, from whom do
earth's kings take tribute?
-Of their own children?
-Or strangers?"
-"From others," he replied.
-Jesus said, "Then the sons are exempt but to
avoid offending them,
-Go to the lake
-Throw a line in,
-Open the mouth of the first fish you
catch.
-You'll find a coin.
-Give it to them for both our taxes."
(Chapter 17)
The disciples asked Jesus "Who is the greatest
in the kingdom of heaven?"
-He called a little child, had him stand in
their midst and said,
-"Unless you turn (from sin to God - or
repent) and become as children, you'll
never enter heaven's kingdom (know me).
-So the one who humbles himself as this
child, is the greatest in heaven's
kingdom.
-Whoever receives such a child in My Name
receives Me.
-Whoever offends one of these little ones
who believes in Me would be better off
-Having an upper (large) millstone hung
round his neck
-And being drowned in the deepest sea.
-Woe to the world because of the offences
(sins) which must necessarily come.
-But woe to the man through whom they
come.
-If your hand or foot offends you -
(causes you to sin)
-Cut it off and cast it away.
-Better to live maimed or lame than
to have two hands or feet AND BE
CAST INTO ETERNAL FIRE (HELL).
-If your eye offends you (causes you
to sin)
-Pluck it out and throw it away.
-Better to be one eyed and enter
life than be cast into hell fire.
-Don't despise one of these little ones.
-Their angels in heaven
-Always see My Father's face in
heaven.
-If a man with 100 sheep loses one, won't
he leave the 99, go into the mountains
and seek the stray?
-And finding it he rejoices over it more
than over the other 99.
-Likewise, your Father in heaven doesn't
want one of these little ones to be lost
(perish).
-If your brother sins against you, reprove him
in private.
-If he listens, you've won him over.
-If not, take two or three witnesses to
confirm your word.
-If he won't listen, tell the church
(gathering of Christ's followers).
-If he still won't listen
Treat him as a Gentile and tax collector.
-What you declare wrong on earth is
already forbidden in heaven.
-What you declare right on earth is
already permitted in heaven.
-If two of you on earth agree what to ask it
will be done by My Father in heaven.
-For when two or three gather in My Name
I'm there too."
Then Peter asked Jesus whether he should forgive
a brother who sinned against him, up to seven
times.
-Jesus answered:
-"Not seven but seventy times seven.
-Heaven's kingdom is like a king settling
servants' accounts.
-Bill, owing him $10,000,000 was brought
in.
-The king ordered him, his wife,
children and all he had be sold to
repay the debt.
-He fell down and begged time to pay.
-Filled with tenderness the king
cancelled the debt.
-But Bill went out, grabbed Jack, who
owed him $200, by the throat and
demanded payment.
-Jack begged for time to pay.
-But Bill refused and had him
thrown into prison 'til he paid
up.
-Word of this got back to the king who
called Bill in.
-He said, 'You're an evil servant.
-I cancelled your debt because you
begged me,
-So you should have pitied Jack as I
pitied you.
-Angrily the king sent him to be
tortured
-Until he repaid the whole
$10,000,000.
-My heavenly Father will do the same to you
unless
-You forgive from your evil heart
-Every brother's sin against you."
(Chapter 18)
After this, Jesus left Galilee and went east of
the Jordan River (present day Jordan). Large
crowds followed and He healed them.
To test Him, Pharisees asked whether divorce was
lawful.
Jesus replied,
-"Haven't you read that at the beginning
-The creator 'made them male and female'
saying
-That's why a man leaves father and mother
-To become one flesh with his wife.
-No longer two, but one.
-So what God's yoked together, let no one
separate."
-They asked, "Then why did Moses allow divorce
by means of a written dismissal?"
-Jesus replied,
-"Moses allowed it because of your
stubbornness.
-But it wasn't this way to start with.
-But I say to you,
-A man's only grounds for divorce is his
wife's adultery.
-If he divorces and remarries except on
that basis
-He commits adultery
(and a man marrying a divorced woman
commits adultery)."
-The disciples said, "Sounds like it's best
not to marry."
-Jesus replied,
-"Some, but not all men, are enabled to
grasp this.
-Some are born eunuchs.
-Some have been made eunuchs by men.
-Some have made themselves eunuchs for the
sake of heaven's kingdom.
-He who can grasp this let him grasp it."
Then little children were brought to Jesus to
place His hands on and pray for them. But the
disciples rebuked them.
-Jesus said,
-"Permit, don't prevent them from coming to
me.
-For of such is heaven's kingdom (where God
rules) comprised."
When He had placed His hands upon them, He
departed.
A young man asked Jesus, "What good thing must I
do to get eternal life?"
-Jesus replied,
-"Why ask what's good,
-There's only one who's good.
-To enter life, obey the commandments."
-"Which?" he said.
-Jesus said,
-"Don't murder,
-Don't commit adultery
-Don't steal
-Don't bear false witness
-Honour father and mother
-Love your neighbour as yourself."
-The young man said,
-"I've kept them, what do I still lack?"
-Jesus said,
-"If you want to be perfect,
-Sell your possessions,
-Give to the poor
-And you'll have treasure in heaven.
-THEN COME FOLLOW ME."
-Hearing this, the young man sorrowfully
departed, for he had great possessions.
-Then Jesus said to His disciples,
-"It's hard for a rich man to enter God's
(my) kingdom.
-There's as much chance of it happening as
a camel going through a needle's eye."
-Greatly astonished, the disciples asked,
"Then who can be saved?"
-Jesus looked at them and said,
-"With man it's impossible,
-But with God all things are possible."
-Peter answered,
-"We've left everything and followed you.
-What shall we have?"
-Jesus said,
-"At the renewal of everything
-When I sit on My glorious throne
-You'll also sit on twelve thrones
-Judging Israel's twelve tribes.
-And everyone who's left
-Houses
-Brothers or sisters
-Father or mother
-Children or fields
-For my sake
-Will receive a hundred times as much
-And inherit eternal life.
-But many who are first
-Will be last
-And the last first." (Chapter 19)
"For heaven's kingdom's like a
-Vineyard owner hiring men to work His
vineyard who
-Hired men at early morning for $20 a day.
-At 9 a.m. he hired men standing idle in the
market place, saying, 'I'll pay you what's
fair.'
-At noon he did the same.
-At 3 p.m. he did the same.
-At 5 p.m. he did the same.
-At evening he instructed his foremen to pay
them.
-Beginning with those hired last and ending
with those hired first,
-Everyone being paid $20.
-Those hired first grumbled, expecting more.
-'These last hired worked one hour
-And you've made them equal to us who've
borne the burden of the work and the
day's heat.'
-But he answered,
-'Friend, I'm not being unfair.
-You agreed to work for $20.
-Take your pay and go.
-I'll give the last hired the same.
-Isn't it lawful for me to do as I wish with
my own money?
-Should you be angry because I'm good?'
-SO THE LAST WILL BE FIRST AND THE FIRST
LAST."
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem He took His
twelve disciples aside and said,
-"At Jerusalem I'll be betrayed to the chief
priests and law teachers.
-They'll condemn me to death
-And turn me over to the Gentiles
-To be mocked,
-Flogged
-And crucified.
-On the third day I'll be raised to life."
The mother of disciples James and John came with
them to Jesus, knelt and asked if one could sit
at His right side and the other on His left in
His kingdom.
-He replied, "You don't know what you're
asking.
-Can you drink the cup I'm about to drink?"
-"We can" they answered.
-Jesus said,
-"You'll drink from My cup,
-But seating's not for Me to grant.
-These places belong to those for whom My
Father's prepared them."
-The other 10 heard and were indignant with
James and John.
-Jesus called them together and said
-"Everyone else works on the basis that the
boss lords it over his underlings and so
on down the line.
-Not so with you.
-Whoever wants to be great among you
-Must be your servant.
-Whoever wants to be first
-Must be your slave.
-JUST AS I DIDN'T COME TO BE SERVED
BUT TO SERVE
AND GIVE MY LIFE AS A RANSOM FOR
MANY."
As Jesus and His disciples left Jericho a large
crowd followed Him.
-Two blind men by the roadside shouted,
-"Lord, Son of David, have pity on us."
-The crowd rebuked them and told them to be
quiet.
-But they shouted louder.
-"Lord, Son of David, have pity on us."
-Jesus stopped and called them.
-"What do you want me to do for you?"
-"Lord," they answered, "We want our
sight."
-Jesus, filled with tenderness, touched their
eyes. Immediately they saw again and
followed Him.
(Chapter 20)
Approaching Jerusalem at Bethphage on the Mount
of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples saying "Go
to the village opposite and you'll find a donkey
tied with her colt nearby. Bring them to me. If
anyone asks, say the Lord needs them and he'll
send them immediately."
-This fulfilled what prophet Zechariah
predicted (Zech 9:9).
-"Say to Zion's daughter,
'Your king comes
gentle and riding on a donkey,
A colt, a donkey's foal.'
-The disciples did as Jesus instructed.
-Bringing the donkey and colt
-They placed their cloaks on them
-And Jesus sat on the colt.
-A very large crowd
-Spread
-Their cloaks
-And tree branches on the road,
-And went ahead of and behind Him
shouting,
-"Hosanna to David's Son."
-"Blessed is He coming in the Lord's
name."
-"Hosanna in the highest."
-Entering Jerusalem the whole city was stirred
asking,
-"Who's this?"
-The crowds answered,
-"Jesus the prophet from Nazareth in
Galilee."
Entering the Temple, Jesus
-Cast out all those buying and selling,
-Overturning
-Money changers' tables,
-Dove sellers' seats,
-Said to them,
-"It's written, 'My house shall be called
a house of prayer'
-But you're making it a robbers' den."
-Healed the blind and lame coming to Him.
-When chief priests and scribes saw His
wonderful works
-And heard children shouting in the Temple
area,
-"Hosanna to David's Son,"
-They were indignant.
-Asking Him "Do you hear what these children
are saying?"
-"Yes" Jesus replied.
-"Haven't you read,
-'From children and infant lips you
prepared praise'?" (Psalm 16:2).
-He left them and went out of the city to
Bethany for the night.
-Early next morning going up to the city He
was hungry.
-He went up to a fig tree by the wayside.
-Finding nothing but leaves said to i
-"Let no frt ever groon you." -And iwitherednstantly.
-Amazed, the disples askeHow did it
wither so quickly?"
-Jesus replied,
-"If you have faith
-And don't doubt
-You can not only do what I did to the
fig tree
-But also if you say to this mountain
-'Be taken and cast into the sea,'
-It shall be done.
-WHATEVER YOU ASK IN PRAYER, BELIEVING,
YOU'LL RECEIVE."
-Entering the Temple courts and while
teaching, the
-Chief priests and people's elders asked
Him,
-"What authority do you have to do these
things and who gave it to you?"
-Jesus replied,
-"Answer my question and I'll answer
yours,
-Was John's baptism from heaven or men?"
-They reasoned among themselves,
-"If we say from heaven, He'll ask 'Why
didn't you believe him?'
-If we say 'from men' we fear the people
who all say he was a prophet."
-So they answered, "We don't know."
-So Jesus said,
-"Neither will I tell you by what
authority I do these things.
-A man had two sons.
-He said to the first, 'Work to-day in the
vineyard.'
-'I won't' he answered, but later
decided to go.
-Then he said the same to the other son,
-'I will' he answered, but didn't.
-Which did his father's will?"
-"The first" they answered.
-Jesus said,
-"Tax collectors and prostitutes are
entering the kingdom of God ahead of
you.
-For John showed you the way of
righteousness.
-You didn't believe him,
-But tax collectors and prostitutes
did.
-Even after seeing this you didn't
repent and believe him.
-Hear another parable
-A landowner planted a vineyard,
-Put a wall around it,
-Dug a winepress
-And built a watchtower.
-He rented it to some farmers and went
on a journey.
-At harvest he sent servants to the
tenants to collect his fruit.
-The tenants seized the servants and
-Beat one,
-Killed another,
-And stoned a third.
-He sent other servants, more than
before.
-The tenants treated them the same way.
-Lastly he sent his son.
-'They'll respect my son,' he said.
-Being the heir, they killed him and
threw
-Him out of the vineyard to get his
inheritance.
-So when the vineyard's owner comes what
-Will he do to those tenants?"
-They replied, "He'll destroy them
-And rent the vineyard to tenants who'll
give him his share of the harvest."
-Jesus said, "Have you never read in the
scriptures:
-'The stone the builders rejected has
become the cornerstone,
-The Lord's done this
-And it's marvellous in our eyes?'(Psalm
118:22,23).
-So the kingdom of God will be taken from
you and
-Given to people who will produce its
fruit.
-Fall on this stone and you'll be broken
to pieces,
-But if it falls on you you'll be crushed
to powder."
-The chief priests and Pharisees knew the
parables described them. They sought a
way to seize Him but feared the crowds
who said He was a prophet.
(Chapter 21)
-Jesus spoke to them again in parables.
-"Heaven's kingdom's like a king who
prepared a wedding banquet for his
son.
-He sent servants to tell those
invited to come
-But they refused.
-He sent more servants saying,
-'Tell them the food and
everything's ready. Come to the
wedding banquet.'
-But ignoring them one went to his
field
-Another to his business.
-The rest seized, mistreated and
killed his servants.
-Enraged, the king destroyed the
murderers and
-Burned their city.
-He told his servants,
-The banquet's ready
-But those invited didn't deserve
it,
-Go to street corners and invite
anyone.
-So the servants gathered all they
could, both good and bad and filled
the banquet hall.
-But the king saw a man not wearing
wedding clothes.
-He asked him how he got in
-But the man was speechless.
-So the king had him bound hand and
foot and thrown outside in the
darkness, a place of weeping and
teeth gnashing.
-FOR MANY ARE INVITED BUT FEW CHOSEN."
-The Pharisees laid plans to trap him.
-They sent their disciples with the
Herodians (Pharisees opposed Rome's
rule and Herodians supported it so
either a "yes" or "no" answer would
incriminate Him).
-They said, "You're truthful and teach
God's way truthfully, not being swayed
by who your listeners are.
-Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar
or not?"
-Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said
-"Hypocrites, why tempt me?
-Show me the coin used for paying
tax."
-They brought Him one and He said,
-"Whose portrait and inscription's
on it?"
-"Caesar's," they replied.
-Then He said,
-"Give to Caesar what's Caesar's and
-Give to God what's God's."
-Amazed they left Him and went away.
-The same day Sadducees who disbelieve the
resurrection asked
-"Moses taught that the brother of a man
deceased without children must marry
his widow and have children for him.
If this happened with 7 brothers,
whose wife would she be after the
resurrection, as all had married her?"
-Jesus replied, "Your error is neither
knowing
-The scriptures or God's power.
-At the resurrection the married state
doesn't apply.
-People are like heaven's angels.
-Haven't you read God's word?
-'I'm the God of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob.'
-He's the God of the living, not the
dead." (Exodus 3:6)
-The crowds were astonished.
-Having silenced the Sadducees the
Pharisees got together and a law expert
asked
-"What's the law's greatest commandment?"
-Jesus answered,
-Love the Lord your God with
-All your heart
-All your soul
-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."
-While the Pharisees were there Jesus
asked
-"Whose son is the Christ?"
-"David's," they replied.
-Jesus said,
-"How then did David, speaking by the
Spirit call Him Lord?" For he says,
-'The Lord says to my Lord,
-Sit at my right hand
-'til I put your enemies
-Under your feet.'
-If David Calls Him Lord, how can He be
his son?"
-No one replied.
-From then on no one dared asked Him
questions.
(Chapter 22)
-Then Jesus said to the crowds and His
disciples.
-"Law teachers and Pharisees sit in Moses'
seat
-So obey them.
-But don't do what they do.
-FOR THEY DON'T PRACTISE WHAT THEY
PREACH.
-They put heavy loads on men's
shoulders
-And don't lift a finger to move them.
-They want men's approval so they
-Make their scripture boxes wide,
-Their garment tassels long,
-Love the honour places at banquets,
-Love the most important seats in
synagogues,
-Love marketplace greetings
-And being called Rabbi by men.
-But you're not to be called Rabbi
-For you have only one master
-And you're all brothers.
-Don't call anyone father
-For you have only one Father
-And He's in heaven.
-Don't be called teacher
-For you've only one teacher, Me.
-FOR EXALT YOURSELF AND YOU'LL BE HUMBLED.
-HUMBLE YOURSELF AND YOU'LL BE EXALTED.
-Woe to you law teachers, Pharisees,
hypocrites.
-You shut heaven's kingdom in men's faces.
-You won't enter yourselves and stop
those trying to.
-You travel land and sea for a single
convert
-Then make him twice as much a son of
hell as yourselves.
-Blind guides saying
-Swear by the Temple and it means
nothing
-But swear by its gold and it's
binding.
-Blind fools!
-Which is greater,
-The gold
-Or the Temple that makes it sacred?
-You say it means nothing to swear by
the altar,
-But swear by the gift on it and it's
binding.
-Blind men!
-Which is greater
-The gift
-Or the altar that makes it sacred?
-So swearing by the altar
Includes it and all on it.
-Swearing by the Temple
Includes it and God who dwells in it.
-Swearing by heaven
Includes God's throne and God who
sits on it.
-Woe to you law teachers, Pharisees,
hypocrites.
-You give God 10% of your spices, mint,
dill, cummin,
-But neglect the more important law
matters,
-Justice
-Mercy
-Faithfulness.
-You should have done both.
-Blind guides.
-You strain out a gnat
-But swallow a camel.
-Woe to you law teachers, Pharisees,
hypocrites.
-You clean the outside of the cup and dish
-But inside you're full of robbery and
intemperance.
-First clean the inside of the cup and
dish and
-Then the outside will be clean.
-Woe to you law teachers, Pharisees,
hypocrites.
-You're like whitewashed tombs,
-Beautiful on the outside
-But inside filled with dead men's bones
and foul corruption.
-Similarly, outwardly before people you
appear righteous
-But inwardly you're full of hypocrisy
and lawlessness.
-Woe to you law teachers, Pharisees,
hypocrites
-You build prophets' tombs
-And decorate the graves of the
righteous
-Saying if we'd lived then, we
wouldn't have shed prophets' blood.
-Thus you admit you're descendants
of prophets' murderers.
-So complete the work, fill their
cup of sin to the brim.
-You snakes, offspring of vipers,
-Will you escape the judgment of hell?
-I send you prophets, wise men and
teachers.
-Some you'll kill and crucify,
-Others you'll flog in your
synagogues and pursue from town to
town.
-So you'll be guilty of all the
righteous blood shed on earth,
-From righteous Abel
-To Zechariah
-Who you killed between the Temple
and the altar.
-All this will come upon your generation.
-Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets
-And stone those sent to you.
-I've often longed to gather your
children
-Like a hen gathering her chicks.
-But you wouldn't let me.
-So look at the (desolate) house left to
you.
-You won't see me again
-Until you say 'Blessed is He' (coming
in the Lord's name)." (Chapter 23)
Leaving the Temple, His disciples drew His
attention to its buildings. Jesus said, "Look at
it. Every last stone will be overthrown."
Sitting on the Mount of Olives (say about 1 km
north west of, and overlooking, Jerusalem) the
disciples asked Jesus privately,
-"When will this happen?
-What'll be the sign of your coming
-And the end of the age?"
-Jesus answered,
-Don't be deceived, as many will be, for
-Many will come claiming 'I'm the Christ.'
-Don't be alarmed when you hear of
-Wars and rumours of wars,
-Nation rising against nation and
-Kingdom against kingdom,
-Famines and
-Earthquakes.
-These are the beginning of birth
pains,
-Things that must happen before the
end comes.
-Then you'll be handed over to be
-Persecuted,
-Put to death,
-Hated by all nations because of Me.
-At that time many
-Will be offended
-Betray and
-Hate each other.
-False prophets will deceive many
people.
-Because of increasing lawlessness
-The love of many will grow cold.
BUT HE WHO ENDURES TO THE END WILL
BE SAVED.
-This gospel of the kingdom will be preached
as a
-Testimony to all nations
-Then the end will come.
-When you see "The abomination of desolation
stand in the holy place,
-Spoken of by the prophet Daniel (Dan.
9:27, 11:31, 12:11),
-Let the reader understand.
(prefigured on 25th December, 167 B.C.
when the Greek, Antiochus Epiphanes,
erected a pagan altar to Zeus on the
site of the Temple altar in
Jerusalem).
-Then let
-Those in Judea flee (east of the Jordan
around Pella) to the mountains.
-No one on the rooftop go down to take
anything.
-No one in the field return for his
cloak.
-Woe to pregnant women and nursing
mothers.
-Pray you won't have to flee
-In winter
-Or on a Sabbath,
-For it will be a time of great
affliction,
-Unequalled from the world's
creation to its end.
-For the sake of the chosen (my followers)
-Those days will be cut short,
-Otherwise no one would be saved.
-Then, if anyone says to you
-'Look here or there, here is the
Christ'
-Don't believe it.
-For false Christs
-And false prophets will be raised
-Performing great signs and miracles
-To deceive even the chosen - if it
were possible.
-I've told you this ahead of time
-So if anyone says
-'He's out in the desert' don't go or
-'He's here in an inner room' don't
believe it.
-For my coming will be
-Like lightning coming from the east
-And shining to the west.
-Eagles gather where there is a
carcass,
-Immediately after the affliction
-'The sun and moon will be darkened
-Stars will fall from heaven,
-The powers of heaven will be
shaken.' (Isaiah 13:10).
-Then My sign will appear in heaven
-And all nations will wail.
-They'll see me coming
-On the clouds of heaven
-With power and great glory.
-I'll send my angels with a loud trumpet
call
-And they'll gather my chosen from
everywhere.
-When a fig tree grows new leaves
-You know summer's near.
-Likewise, when you see all these things
-You'll know I'm near
-Right at the doors.
-This generation won't pass away
-Until all this happens.
-HEAVEN AND EARTH'LL PASS AWAY BUT
MY WORDS WON'T.
-I don't know the day nor hour, no one
-Except the Father, does.
-My coming will be like it was in Noah's
day.
-Before the flood, life went on as
normal.
-People ate, drank, married
-Up to the day Noah entered the ark,
-Not knowing what would happen
-Until the flood destroyed them.
-So will my coming be.
-Of two men in the field
-One will be taken
-And one left.
-Of two women grinding grain
-One will be taken
-And one left.
-So keep watch
-You don't know what day your Lord is
coming.
-If a houseowner knew when the thief
was coming,
-He'd have been ready for him.
-So you must be ready
-Because I'll come at an unexpected
hour.
-When a master puts a faithful servant in
charge of his other servants, then
returns and finds him doing it well,
-He will put him in charge of all His
possessions.
-But if the wicked servant thinks the
master won't return soon
-And so mistreats the servants and
gets drunk
-His master will come unexpectedly
-And cut him to pieces,
-Assigning him a place with the
hypocrites
-Where there will be weeping and
teeth gnashing.
(Chapter 24)
-At that time heaven's kingdom will be
like:
-Ten virgins who took their lamps
-And went to meet the bridegroom,
-Five being wise and five foolish.
-The foolish took no extra oil for
their lamps.
-The wise did.
-The bridegroom, being late, they
all slept.
-At midnight he came.
-The foolish asked the wise for oil
for their lamps were going out.
-No, the wise replied, there may not
be enough.
-Go buy some for yourselves.
-But the bridegroom arrived while
they were buying oil.
-So the virgins who were prepared
went with him to the wedding
banquet.
-AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT.
-The others arrived late and asked
entry.
-But he replied, 'I don't know you.'
-SO KEEP WATCH, FOR YOU DON'T KNOW
THE DAY NOR THE HOUR.
-A man entrusted his property to his
servants, according to their ability,
-While he took a journey,
-Giving one $5,000
-Giving another $2,000
-Giving another $1,000.
-The first put the money to work and
made $5,000 more.
-The second did the same, making
$2,000.
-The third dug a hole and hid his
$1,000.
-Much later the master returned and
settled accounts with his servants.
-To the first he said,
-'Well done good and faithful
servant,
-Being faithful in little I'll put
you in charge of much.
-Come share my happiness.'
-To the second he said the same.
-The third servant said
-'I feared because you're a hard
man
-And buried your $1,000.
-So here's what belongs to you.'
-The master replied,
-'You wicked lazy servant,
-You know I expect a return on my
money
-So you should have deposited the
$1,000 with bankers and earned
interest.
-Take the $1,000 from him and give
it to the one with $10,000.
-For everyone who has will be
given abundantly
-But whoever doesn't have
-Even what he has will be taken
away.
-Throw the worthless servant out
into the darkness where there'll
be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.'
-When I come, in my glory, with all the
angels
-I'll sit on my throne of glory.
-All nations will be gathered
-And I'll separate them
-Like a shepherd separates sheep to
his right and goats to his left.
-I'll say to those on my right,
-Come blessed of my Father,
-Inherit
-The kingdom prepared for you from
the world's creation because
when I was
-Hungry, you fed me,
-Thirsty, you gave me drink,
-A stranger, you invited me in,
-Naked, you clothed me,
-Sick, you visited me,
-In prison, you came to me.
-The righteous (faithful) will
answer
-'When did we do all these
things?'
-I'll reply,
-'Inasmuch as you did it to the
least of my brothers,
-You did it to me.'
-Then I'll say to those on my left,
-'Go from me you cursed,
-Into the eternal fire that's been
prepared for the devil and his
angels because I was
-Hungry and you didn't feed me,
-Thirsty and you didn't give me
drink,
-A stranger and you didn't take
me in,
-Naked and you didn't clothe me,
-Sick and in prison and you
didn't visit me.'
-They'll answer, 'Lord when did we
do all this?'
-I'll reply, "Inasmuch as you didn't
do it to the least of these, you
didn't do it to me.'
-They'll go into eternal punishment.
-But the righteous (faithful) into
eternal life."
(Chapter 25)
Having finished saying all this, Jesus told His
disciples
-"The Passover is two days away, and I'll be
handed over to be crucified."
Then the chief priests and people's elders
assembled in high priest Caiaphas' palace,
plotting to seize Jesus by guile and kill Him,
but not during the Passover lest the people
riot.
Simon the leper lived at Bethany (about 2 miles
from Jerusalem)
-Where Jesus reclined (for a meal) in his
house.
-A woman brought an alabaster jar of very
expensive perfume
-And poured it on Jesus' head.
-Angrily, the disciples asked
-"Why this waste?
-Sold for much money it could have been
given to the poor."
-Jesus said,
-"Why trouble her?
-She's done a good work upon me, preparing
my body for burial.
-You'll always have the poor with you
-But you won't always have me.
-Wherever this gospel (good news) is
proclaimed in all the world
-What she has done will be spoken in
memory of her.
Then one of the twelve, Judas Iscariot, went to
the chief priests and asked,
-"What will you give me to deliver Him to
you?"
-They gave him thirty pieces of silver.
-From then he sought opportunity to deliver
Him.
The day before the Passover the disciples asked
Jesus:
-"Where do you want us to go to prepare for
you to eat the Passover?"
-He replied,
-"Go to a certain man in the city and say
-'The teacher says,
-My time's at hand,
-I'll keep the Passover at your house with
my disciples.'"
-The disciples did so.
At evening He reclined with the twelve
disciples.
-While eating He said,
-"One of you will betray me."
-Grieving exceedingly, each one asked, "Is
it me Lord?"
-He replied, "He that dips his hand in the
dish with me will betray me.
-I go as it's been written about me
-But woe to my betrayer.
-Better for him if he hadn't been born."
-Judas asked, "Is it I Rabbi?"
-He replied, "You've said it."
-While eating, Jesus took a loaf,
-Blessed,
-Broke it
-And gave it to the disciples saying
-"Take, eat this is my body."
-Then He took a cup,
-Gave thanks,
-And gave it to them saying,
-"Drink all of it
-This is my blood of the (new) covenant
(agreement between unequals)
-Shed for many
-For the forgiveness of sins.
-I won't drink wine again until
-The day I drink it new with you
-In my Father's kingdom."
-After singing a hymn they went (outside
the city) to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus said, "You'll all be offended because of
me to-night
-For it's been written (Zechariah 13:7)
-'I'll strike the shepherd
-And all the sheep of the flock will be
scattered.'
-But after I'm raised
-I'll go before you to Galilee."
-Peter said, "Everyone else may be offended
because of you, but never me."
-Jesus said, "Before the cock crows three
times to-night
-You'll deny me three times."
-Peter said, "Even if I have to die with you
I won't deny you."
-All the other disciples said the same.
Then, coming to a place (low on the Mount of
Olives) called Gethsemane Jesus said to them,
-"Sit here while I go yonder and pray."
-He took Peter, James and John
-And began to grieve and be distressed.
-He said to them,
-"My soul's deeply grieved even to death.
-Wait here
-And watch with me."
-Going forward a little way
-He fell on His face
-Praying, "My Father, if possible
-Let this cup pass from me,
-Yet not my will but yours (be done)."
-Coming and finding the disciples sleeping
He said to Peter,
-"Weren't you able to watch one hour
with me?
-Watch and pray
-Lest you enter into temptation.
-The spirit's eager,
-But the flesh is weak."
-He went away and prayed the second time
-"My Father, if this (cup) cannot pass
away unless I drink it LET YOUR WILL
BE DONE."
-Coming again, He found them sleeping
-For their eyes were heavy.
-Leaving them again He prayed a third time
the same as before.
-Then, coming to the disciples, He said
-"Sleep and rest,
-The hour's drawn near
-For me to be betrayed into SINNERS'
hands.
-Rise, let's go. The betrayer has drawn
near."
-While still speaking,
-Judas, one of the twelve, came
-With a big crowd armed with swords and
clubs
-From the chief priests and people's
elders.
-Judas gave them a sign saying,
-"Seize the one I kiss."
-Approaching Jesus he said, "Hail Rabbi" and
kissed Him.
-Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you
here?"
-Then they laid hands on and seized Jesus.
-A disciple drew his sword and cut off the
ear of the high priest's slave.
-Jesus said to him,
-"Sheathe your sword
-For all who take the sword will perish
by it.
-Don't you know I could ask my Father
-And He would provide more than twelve
legions of angels.
-But how then would the scriptures be
fulfilled that it must be this way?"
-Then Jesus said to the crowds,
-"Do you come as against a robber
-With swords and clubs to take me?
-I sat teaching daily in the Temple
-And you didn't seize me.
-But all this has come to pass to fulfill
the scriptures of the prophets."
-Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Those who seized Jesus led him away to the high
priest Caiaphas where the scribes and elders
were assembled.
-Peter followed at a distance and sat in the
high priests' court to see the end.
-The chief priests and whole council sought
false witnesses so as to put Jesus to death.
-Though many approached none were effective.
-Finally two said, "He said I can destroy
God's Temple and rebuild it in three
days."
-Standing up the high priest said,
-"What's your answer to their evidence?"
-Jesus remained silent.
-The high priest said,
-"I call on you by the living God to tell us
if you're the Christ, God's Son."
-Jesus said,
-"You've said so, but I say
-From now on you'll see me sitting on the
right hand of power and coming on
heaven's clouds."
-The high priest tore his garments and said,
-"You've heard His blasphemy, we don't need
more witnesses.
-What's your verdict?"
-They answered,
-"He's liable of death."
-Then they
-Spat in His face,
-Violently mistreated Him,
-Slapped Him,
-Saying,
-"Prophesy you Christ, who struck you?"
-Peter sat in the court outside,
-A maidservant said,
-"You were with Jesus the Galilean."
-He denied it before them all, saying
-"I don't know what you're saying."
-Going out into the porch another said to
those there,
-"This man was with Jesus the Nazarene."
-Again he denied it with an oath.
-"I don't know the man."
-Later those standing there said,
-"You're one of them, your accent betrays
you."
-Then he began to curse and swear.
-"I don't know the man."
-Immediately a cock crowed.
-Peter remembered Jesus' words,
-"Before a cock crows you'll deny me
three times."
-Going outside, he wept bitterly.
(Chapter 26)
At early morning,
-All the chief priests
-And people's elders
-Took counsel against Jesus
-So as to put Him to death.
-Having bound Him
-They led Him away
-And delivered Him to (Rome's) governor
Pilate.
-Judas, who betrayed Him, seeing He was
condemned,
-Repenting, returned the thirty pieces of
silver
-To the chief priests and elders saying
-"I sinned, betraying innocent blood."
-But they said,
-"What's it to us? It's your problem."
-Casting the silver pieces into the Temple
-He went and hanged himself.
-Taking the silver, the chief priests said
-"It's unlawful to put it into the
treasury,
-Since it's the price of blood."
-So they used it to buy the Potter's
Field to bury strangers in.
-So it's called the Field of Blood to
this day,
-Fulfilling prophet Jeremiah's words
-'They took the thirty pieces of
silver
-Which was all Israel's people
thought He was worth
-And bought the Potter's Field
-As the Lord directed me."
(Zech. 11:12,13).
Jesus stood before Pilate who questioned Him.
-"Are you the Jews' King?"
-Jesus said, "You say so."
-Accused by the chief priests and elders
-Jesus said nothing.
-Pilate said "Can't you hear the evidence
against you?"
-Jesus said nothing
-To Pilate's great amazement.
-It was customary for Pilate to release a
Jewish prisoner, anyone the crowd wanted,
during the Passover.
-They had a notorious prisoner named
Barabbas.
-When the crowd assembled
-Pilate asked them, "Who do you want me
to release,
-Barabbas or Jesus called Christ?"
-He knew Jesus had been delivered
because of envy.
-As he sat on the judgment seat
-His wife sent word
-Do nothing to that just man,
-I've suffered much to-day
-In a dream because of Him.
-But the chief priests and elders
persuaded the crowds
-To ask for Barabbas
-And destroy Jesus.
-Pilate said, "What do you want me to do
to
-Jesus called Christ?"
-They all said,
-"Let Him be crucified."
-Pilate replied,
-"What evil has He done?"
-But they shouted all the louder,
-"Let Him be crucified."
-Seeing he was getting nowhere
-And a riot was developing,
-Pilate washed his hands in front of
the crowd,
-Saying "I'm innocent of this
man's blood.
The responsibility is yours."
-All the people answered,
-"His blood's on us
-And our children."
-Then he released Barabbas.
-But having whipped Jesus
-He delivered Him to be crucified.
-Then Pilate's (Roman) soldiers
-Took Jesus into his residence
-And assembled the whole battalion against
Him.
-Stripping Him,
-They put a purple cloak on Him,
-Placed a crown of thorns on His
head,
-A reed in His right hand,
-And kneeling in front of Him,
-Mocked Him saying "Hail King of
the Jews."
-And spitting at Him,
-Took the reed and struck His
Head.
-Then they took the cloak off,
-Put His own clothes on Him
-And led Him away to be crucified.
-On the way they found Simon from Cyrene (in
Africa) and forced him to bear His cross.
-Coming to a place called Golgotha,
-Also called a Place of a Skull,
-They gave Him wine mixed with (painkilling)
gaul to drink.
-He tasted, but wouldn't drink it.
-Having crucified Him
-They cast a lot for His garments
-And sat guarding Him.
-They placed above His head
-The charge against Him
-THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
-There were two robbers crucified
-One on His right and one on His left.
-Passers by blasphemed Him wagging their
heads and saying,
-"You said you'd destroy the Temple and
rebuild it in three days,
-So save yourself
-If you're God's Son
-And come down from the cross."
-Likewise chief priests, scribes and elders
mocked saying,
-"He saved others,
-But He can't save Himself.
-If He's Israel's king,
-Let Him come down from the cross
now
-And we'll believe on Him.
-He trusted God
-So let God rescue Him now
-If He wants Him,
-For He said, 'I'm God's Son.'"
-The crucified robbers likewise abused Him.
From noon to 3 p.m.
-The whole land was dark.
-About 3 p.m.
-Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
-"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"
-Meaning "My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me?"
-Some standing there
-Hearing this said
-"This man calls Elijah."
-One ran, took a sponge,
-Filled it with vinegar,
-Put it round a reed,
-And gave it to Him to drink.
-But the rest said
-"Leave Him alone,
-Let's see if Elijah comes to save
Him."
-AND JESUS AGAIN, CRYING OUT WITH A GREAT
VOICE
-Released His Spirit,
-And the Temple's veil
-Was torn in two
-From top to bottom.
-The earth was shaken,
-Rocks split,
-Tombs were opened
-And many saints' bodies were raised
-And coming out after His
resurrection, they
-Entered Jerusalem
-Appearing to many.
-The centurion and those with him guarding
Jesus,
-Seeing the earthquake and things
happening,
-Feared exceedingly, saying,
-"This man really was God's Son."
-Many women who followed and ministered to
Jesus from Galilee,
-Watched from a distance.
-Mary Magdalene,
-Mary the mother of James and Joseph
(Jesus' mother),
-And (Salome) the mother of
(disciples) James and John (Jesus'
mother's sister).
-At evening Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea
and
-A disciple of Jesus,
-Asked Pilate for Jesus'body
-Who commanded it be given him.
-He took it, wrapped it
-In a clean sheet,
-Put it in his new tomb
-That he'd hewn in the rock,
-Rolled a great stone across its door
-And left.
-Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
-Sat opposite the grave.
-Next day, the chief priests and Pharisees
-Assembled before Pilate saying
-"While alive that deceiver said He'd rise
in three days
-So command the grave be made secure
-Until the third day
-To stop the disciples
-Stealing Him away
-And telling everyone
-He's raised from the dead,"
-Making the last deceit worse than the
first.
-Pilate answwered
-"You have a guard,
-Make it as secure as you can."
-So they made the grave secure by
-Sealing the stone
-And setting a guard.
(Chapter 27)
After the Sabbath (Saturday):
-Near dawn on the first day of the week,
-Mary Magdalene
-And the other Mary
-Came to see the grave.
-A great earthquake occurred,
-For an angel of the Lord,
-Descending out of heaven,
-Rolled the stone away
-And sat on it.
-His appearance was as lightning
-And his dress white as snow.
-The guards were so shaken by fear
-They became as dead men.
-The angel said to the women,
-"I know you seek the crucified Jesus,
-He's not here.
-He was raised as He said,
-Come and see where He lay."
-And quickly go tell His disciples
-That He was raised from the dead
-And goes before you to Galilee
-Where you'll see Him."
-Quickly leaving the tomb
-With great fear and joy
-They ran to tell His disciples.
-And Jesus met them saying
-"Hail." (Greetings).
-Approaching they held His feet
-And worshipped Him.
-Jesus said
-"Don't fear,
-Tell my brothers
-To go to Galilee
-Where they'll see Me."
-As they went,
-Some of the guard
-Told the chief priests what had
happened.
-After discussions with the elders
-They bribed the soldiers with silver
to say
-That His disciples stole Him by
night
-As they slept
-Assuring them that if Pilate heard
-They'd be kept out of trouble.
-Taking the silver,
-They did what they were told and
-This story was spread by the Jews.
-The eleven disciples went to Galilee
-To the mountain Jesus appointed.
-Seeing Him the disciples worshipped
-But some doubted.
-Jesus said to them
-"ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH
-IS GIVEN ME
-THEREFORE GO AND
-DISCIPLE ALL THE NATIONS,
-BAPTISING THEM
-IN THE NAME OF THE
-FATHER,
-SON AND
-HOLY SPIRIT,
-TEACHING THEM
-TO OBSERVE EVERYTHING
-I COMMAND YOU.
-AND BEHOLD
-I'M WITH YOU
-ALL THE DAYS (Always)
-UNTIL THE END OF THE AGE (World).
(Chapter 28)
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