The Two Blind Men.
And as Jesus passed by from thence, two blind men followed him, crying out, and saying, "Have mercy on us, thou son of David."
And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said unto them, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?"
They say unto him, "Yea, Lord."
Then touched he their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done unto you." And their eyes were opened.
And Jesus strictly charged them, saying, "See that no man know it."
But they went forth, and spread abroad his fame in all that land.
The Throngs About the Master.
And Jesus with his disciples withdrew to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed: and from Judaea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and beyond Jordan, and about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude,{129}hearing what great things he did, came unto him. And he spoke to his disciples, that a little boat should wait on him because of the crowd, lest they should throng him: for he had healed many; insomuch that as many as had plagues pressed upon him that they might touch him. And the unclean spirits, whensoever they beheld him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, "Thou art the Son of God." And he charged them much that they should not make him known.
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IVTHE MIRACLE AT NAINHow the Lord Jesus Raised a Widow's Son from the Dead.
And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude. Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and many people of the city were with her.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, "Weep not."
And he came nigh and touched the bier: and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say unto thee, Arise." And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.
And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet is arisen among us": and, "God hath visited his people." And this report went forth concerning him in the whole of Judaea, and all the region round about.
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JESUS PREACHING BY THE SEASIDE
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VTHE GREAT TEACHERHow the Lord Jesus Told the People Stories by the Sea.
And again he began to teach by the sea side. And there was gathered unto him a very great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, which was on the sea, and sat in it; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things in stories, and told them in his teaching,--
The Story of the Sower.
"Behold, the sower went forth to sow: and, as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured it. And other seed fell on the rocky ground, where it had not much earth; and straightway it sprang up, because it had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other seed fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing; and brought forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold."
And he said, "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Afterward he explained the parable to them thus):--
"The sower soweth the word. And these are they by{134}the wayside, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them. And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy; and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway they stumble. And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they that have heard the word, and the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it; and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold."
The Story of the Growing Grain.
And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed upon the earth; and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how. The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come."
The Story of the Mustard Seed.
And he said, "How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what story shall we set it forth? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth,{135}though it he less than all the seeds that are upon the earth, yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof."
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VITHE TEMPESTHow the Lord Jesus Stilled the Storm, and Did Miracles by the Sea.
And on that day, when even was come, he saith unto them, "Let us go over unto the other side."
And leaving the multitude, they took him with them in the boat. And other boats were with him. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, that the boat was now filling. And he himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: and they awake him, and say unto him, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?"
And he awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, "Peace, be still." And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, "Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith?"
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
And they came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. And when he was come out of the boat, straightway there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling in the tombs: and no man could bind him, no, not with a chain; because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been rent asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: and no man had strength to tame him. And always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones.
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HOUSETOPS AT TIBERIAS, LOOKING OVER SEA OF GALILEE.
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And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down to him; and crying out with a loud voice, he saith, "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God, torment me not."
For he said unto him, "Come forth, thou unclean spirit, out of the man."
And he asked him, "What is thy name?"
And he saith unto him, "My name is Legion; for we are many."
And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there on the mountain side a great herd of swine feeding. And they besought him, saying, "Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them."
And he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the sea, in number about two thousand; and they were drowned in the sea.
And they that fed them fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they came to see what it was that had come to pass. And they came to Jesus, and beheld him who was possessed by demons sitting, clothed and in his right mind, even him that had the legion: and they were afraid. And they that saw it declared unto them what{140}had happened to him that was possessed with demons, and concerning the swine. And they began to beseech him to depart from their borders. And as he was entering into the boat, he that had been possessed with demons besought him that he might be with him. And he suffered him not, but saith unto him, "Go to thy house unto thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and how he had mercy on thee."
And he went his way, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men marveled.
And a woman who had been an invalid for twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse, having heard the things concerning Jesus, came in the crowd behind, and touched his garment.
For she said; "If I touch but his garments, I shall be made whole." And straightway she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
And straightway Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power proceeding from him had gone forth, turned about in the crowd, and said, "Who touched my garments?"
And his disciples said unto him, "Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, 'Who touched me?'"
And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
And he said unto her, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy disease."
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VIITHE LITTLE GIRL WHO DIEDHow the Lord Jesus Brought to Life Jairus' Little Daughter.
And when Jesus had crossed over again in the boat unto the other side, a great multitude was gathered unto him: and he was by the sea.
And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing him, he falleth at his feet, and beseecheth him much, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hand on her, that she may be made whole, and live."
And he went with him; and a great multitude followed him, and they thronged him.
While he was on the way, they come from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying, "Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?"
But Jesus, not heeding the word spoken, saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, "Fear not, only believe."
And he allowed no man to follow with him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he beholdeth a tumult, and many weeping and wailing greatly.
And when he was entered in, he saith unto them, "Why make ye a tumult, and weep? the child is not dead, but sleepeth."
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And they laughed him to scorn. But he, having put them all forth, taketh the father of the child and her mother and them that were with him, and goeth in where the child was. And taking the child by the hand, he said unto her, "Talitha cumi"; that is, "Little girl, I say unto thee, Arise."
And straightway the little girl rose up, and walked; for she was twelve years old. And they were greatly amazed. And he charged them much that no man should know this: and he commanded that something should be given her to eat.
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VIIILEARNING TO SERVE.How the Lord Jesus Sent His Disciples Out to Tell of Him.
And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits; and he charged them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse; but to go shod with sandals: and, said he, "Put not on two coats."
And he said unto them, "Wheresoever ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart thence. And whatsoever place shall not receive you, and they hear you not, as ye go forth thence, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony unto them."
And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
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IXTHE FEEDING OF THE MULTITUDEHow the Lord Jesus Invited the Multitude to a Supper, and How, Having Won Great Fame, the People Would Have Made Him King, but He Refused.
And the apostles gathered about Jesus; and they told him all things, whatsoever they had done, and whatsoever they had taught.
And he saith unto them, "Come ye apart into a desert place, and rest awhile."
For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desert place. And the people saw them going, and many knew them, and they ran there together on foot from all the cities, and arrived before them.
And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, "The place is desert, and the day is now far spent: send them away, that they may go into the country and villages round about, and buy themselves something to eat."
But he answered and said unto them, "Give ye them to eat."
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"He who shall search for cities famed of yore,Few wrecks will find on lone Tiberias' shore:Where stood tower-crowned Chorazin, men forget;A palm tree marks thy site, Gennesaret.Tiberias, Herod's pride, still flaunteth fair,But not the cross, the crescent triumphs there."
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And they say unto him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?"
And he saith unto them, "How many loaves have ye? go and see."
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said unto him, "There is a lad here, who has five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what are these among so many?"
And he commanded them that all should sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and broke the loaves; and he gave to the disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they all ate, and were filled. And they took up broken pieces, twelve basketfuls, and also of the fishes. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
And straightway he told his disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away. But when the people saw the sign which he did, they said, "This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world."
Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew into the mountain himself alone.
And when even was come, the boat in which his disciples had embarked was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was against them, about the fourth watch of the night{148}he came unto them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them: but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out: for they all saw him, and were troubled.
But he straightway spoke with them, and said unto them, "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid."
And he went into the boat with them; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed.
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XJESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST.How the Heroic Friend of Jesus Was Basely Murdered, and How the Two Men Had Loved Each Other.
(Before Jesus began his preaching, a man named John had begun to tell the people that God would soon send them a great prophet. He himself seemed to the people to be like one of the old prophets. His dress and his way of living were simple, and he spoke as though God were speaking through him. How he preached, and how he baptized Jesus, telling his disciples that this was the man of whose coming he had been speaking, has all been told in a previous chapter. After the baptism John watched the career of Jesus with great interest. Before long John was seized and cast into prison. He became despondent, and began to doubt if Jesus was indeed the one of whom he was sent to tell. He sent messengers to Jesus, and Jesus sent back a comforting and reassuring message to the prisoner. Jesus loved John and spoke in the highest terms of his work and character. This chapter tells of the relations between the two men after Jesus' baptism, and how John met at last a shameful death.)
John Acknowledges the Leadership of Jesus.
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison.
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There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John's disciples with a Jew about purifying. And they came unto John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him."
John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but, that I am sent before him.' He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease."
Imprisoned, John Begins to Lose Faith.
For a time he continued to preach good tidings unto the people; but Herod, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother's wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done, added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
And the disciples of John told him in prison of the works of Jesus. And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to the Lord, saying, "Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?"
And when the men were come unto him, they said, "John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, 'Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?'"
In that hour, he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and on many that were blind he bestowed sight.
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CHRIST AND JOHN THE BAPTIST.By Guido Reni (1575-1642)
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And he answered and said unto them, "Go, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good tidings preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me."
Jesus Speaks of the Greatness of John.
And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, "What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who are gorgeously appareled, and live luxuriously, are in kings' houses. But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,--
'Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,Who shall prepare thy way before thee.'
"I say unto you, Among those who are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
"Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation, and to what are they like? They are like unto children who sit in the marketplace, and call one to another; who say, 'We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not weep.' For John the Baptist is come eating no bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, 'He hath a demon.' The Son of man is come eating and{154}drinking; and ye say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man, and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!' And wisdom is justified of all her children."
The Cruel Murder of John.
When a convenient day was come, Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee; and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those who sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the maiden, "Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee."
And he swore unto her, "Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom."
And she went out, and said unto her mother, "What shall I ask?"
And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."
And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, "I wish that thou forthwith give me in a platter the head of John the Baptist."
And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his promises, and of those who sat and feasted with him, he would not reject her. And straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring the head of John: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a platter, and gave it to the maiden; and the maiden gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard thereof, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
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O Love Divine, that stooped to shareOur sharpest pang, our bitterest tear,On Thee we cast each earth-born care:We smile at pain while Thou art near.Though long the weary way we tread,And sorrow crown each lingering year;No path we shun, no darkness dread,Our hearts still whispering, Thou art near!When drooping pleasure turns to grief,And trembling faith is changed to fear;The murmuring wind, the quivering leaf,Shall softly tell us, Thou art near!On Thee we fling our burdening woe,O Love Divine, for ever dear;Content to suffer, while we know,Living and dying, Thou art near!
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O Master, let me walk with TheeIn lowly paths of service free;Tell me Thy secret; help me bearThe strain of toil, the fret of care.Help me the slow of heart to moveBy some clear winning word of love;Teach me the wayward feet to stay,And guide them in the homeward way.Teach me Thy patience! still with TheeIn closer, dearer company,In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,In trust that triumphs over wrong;In hope that sends a shining rayFar down the future's broadening way;In peace that only Thou canst give,With Thee, O Master, let me live!
(Used by the kind permission of the author.)
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Teach me, my God and King,In all things Thee to see,And what I do in anythingTo do it as for Thee.Not rudely, as a beast,To runne into an action,But still to make Thee prepossestAnd give it His perfection.A man that looks on glasse,On it may stay his eye,Or if he pleaseth, through it passe,And then the leav'n espie.All may of Thee partake,Nothing can be so meanWhich, with his tincture (for Thy sake),Will not grow bright and clean.A servant with this clauseMakes drudgery divine;Who sweeps a room, as for Thy laws,Makes that and th' action fine.This is the famous stoneThat turneth all to gold,For that which God doth touch and ownCannot for lesse be told.
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I heard the voice of Jesus say,"Come unto me and rest;Lay down, thou weary one, lay downThy head upon my breast."I came to Jesus as I was,Weary, and worn, and sad;I found in Him a resting place,And He has made me glad.I heard the voice of Jesus say,"Behold, I freely giveThe living water: thirsty one,Stoop down, and drink, and live."I came to Jesus, and I drankOf that life-giving stream;My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,And now I live in Him.I heard the voice of Jesus say,"I am this dark world's Light;Look unto me, thy morn shall rise,And all thy day be bright."I looked to Jesus, and I foundIn Him my Star, my Sun;And in that light of life I'll walkTill traveling days are done.
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How, while He was still teaching and healing, manybegan to turn against Him, and He, seeingthat He must suffer to save thepeople, took up thejourney to thecross.
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PERSONS OF THE STORY.The LORD JESUS.The Disciples.A man born blind.A woman who was a sinner.A Syro-Phoenician woman and her daughter.Lazarus.Mary.Martha.Zaccheus.Bartimeus.Scribes, Pharisees, lawyers.Afflicted people, little children, priests, officers.PLACES OF THE STORY.The Sea of Galilee.A rich man's feast.The country to the north of Galilee.Caesarea Philippi.The "Mount of Transfiguration."Bethany.
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ITHE BEGINNING OF THE ENDHow the Lord Jesus Tried to Turn the Minds of the People to Things Higher Than Crowns and Kingdoms, and How They Could Not Understand.
When the Lord Jesus disappeared from the multitude, after he had fed them by the sea, they sought for him, and not finding him, they themselves got into the boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, "Rabbi, when earnest thou hither?"
Jesus answered them and said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled. Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you."
They said therefore unto him, "What must we do, that we may work the works of God?"
Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
They said therefore unto him, "What then doest thou{162}for a sign, that we may see, and believe thee? what workest thou? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.'"
Jesus therefore said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, It was not Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is he who cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world."
They said therefore unto him, "Lord, evermore give us this bread."
Jesus said unto them, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, that ye have seen me, and yet believe not. All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that of all those whom he hath given me I should lose none, but should raise them up at the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, "I am the bread which came down out of heaven."
And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, 'I am come down out of heaven'?"
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THE LORD JESUSBy Heinrich Hofmann (1824-
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Jesus answered and said unto them, "Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father who sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught of God.' Everyone that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is from God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth hath eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers did eat the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: yea, and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world."
Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying; who can hear it?"
But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said unto them, "Doth this cause you to stumble? What then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before? It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life. But there are some of you who believe not."
For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was who should betray him.
And he said, "For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father."
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Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, "Would ye also go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed and know that thou art the Holy One of God."
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IITHE ENEMIES OF JESUSHow the Leaders of the People Had Already Begun to Turn Against the Lord Jesus and to Dispute His Teaching.Conflict About the Sabbath.
There was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, withered. And a certain man was there, who had been thirty-eight years in his infirmity. When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been ill a long time, he saith unto him, "Wouldest thou be made whole?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me."
Jesus saith unto him, "Arise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked.
Now it was the Sabbath on that day. So the Jews said unto him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed."
But he answered them, "He that made me whole, the same said unto me, 'Take up thy bed, and walk.'"
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They asked him, "Who is the man that said unto thee, 'Take up thy bed, and walk'?"
But he that was healed knew not who it was: for Jesus had gone away, a multitude being in the place.
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee."
The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole. And for this cause did the Jews persecute Jesus, because he did these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, "My Father worketh even until now, and I work."
For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
At another time he was going on the Sabbath day through the cornfields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said unto him, "Behold, why do they on the Sabbath day that which is not lawful?"
And he said unto them, "Did ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry, he, and those who were with him? How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the showbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?"
And he said unto them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: so that the Son of man is lord even of the Sabbath."
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And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there who had his hand withered. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man who had his hand withered, "Stand forth."
And he saith unto them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to kill?"
But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at their hard-heartedness, he said to the man, "Stretch forth thy hand." And he stretched it forth: and his hand was restored.
And the Pharisees went out, and straightway with the Herodians took counsel against him, how they might destroy him.
Conflict About the Treatment of Sinful People.
And one of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.
And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner, when she knew that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster cruse of ointment, and standing behind at his feet, weeping, began to wet his feet with her tears, and wipe them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he spoke within himself, saying, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is who toucheth him, that she is a sinner."