He went out again about the sixth and the ninth hour and did the same. About the eleventh hour he went out, found others standing idle, and said, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They answered, Because no man has hired us. He then replied, Go ye also into the vineyard and whatever is right you shall receive.
When evening came, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning from the last unto the first. When those who were hired about the eleventh hour came, every man received a coin. But when the first came, supposing they should receive more, they each also received a coin. When they received it, they murmured against the good man of the house and said, These last have worked but one hour and thou has made them equal to those of us who have borne the burden and heat of the day.
He answered one of them and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong. Did thou not agree with me for a coin? Take what is thine and go thy way. I will give to the last the same as I give to thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own coins? Must you see evil in my goodness?
So, the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but few are chosen. Then Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside and said, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem where the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death. They will deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, scourge, and crucify Him. And on the third day He shall rise again.
The mother of the sons of Zebedee and her sons, James and John, approached Jesus. She praised Him, desiring something of Him. He said to her, What wilt thou? She replied, Grant that my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
They said to Him, We are able. And Jesus said, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand or on my left is not mine to give. It shall be given to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.
When the remaining ten heard this they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them to Him and said, Ye know that the princes of worldliness and ambition influence them. But it shall not be so among you. Whoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. Whoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. Likewise, the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
When they departed from Jericho a great multitude followed. Behold, when they heard that Jesus passed by, two blind men who were sitting by the wayside cried out, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. The multitude rebuked them and told them to keep quiet. But they cried more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.
Jesus stood still and said to them, What shall I do for you? They answered, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and they followed Him.
21 As they drew close to Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage by the mount of Olives. Jesus sent two disciples ahead and said, Go into the village and ye shall find tied there an ass with her colt. Untie them and bring them to me. If a man says anything to you, say, The Lord has need of them and, straightway, he will send them. All this was done so this saying of the prophet might be fulfilled: Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon a colt, the foal of an ass.
The disciples did as Jesus directed. They brought the ass and the colt and set Jesus thereupon. A multitude spread out their garments and others cut down tree branches and lined the way. They cried out, Hosanna to the son of David. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. When Jesus came into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred. They asked, Who is this? The multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.
Jesus went into the temple of God and cast out all who bought and sold. He overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, It is written that my house shall be called a house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
The blind and the lame came to Him in the temple and He healed them. When the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things Jesus did and heard the children crying out in the temple, Hosanna to the son of David; they were greatly displeased. They said to Him, Hear thou what they are saying? Jesus answered, Yea. Have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes comes perfect praise? Then He left them and went into Bethany where He lodged that night.
In the morning Jesus, being very hungry, started out to return to the city. On His way He saw a fig tree. As He came to it He found nothing on it but leaves. He said, Let no fruit ever grow on thee. The fig tree withered away.
When the disciples saw this, they marvelled and said, How quickly the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this that was done to the fig tree, but also, if ye shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed and cast into the sea; it shall be done. The things ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Then He went into the temple. The chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him as He was teaching and asked, By what authority do you do these things? Who gave thee this authority?
Jesus replied, I, in turn, will ask you one thing, which, if ye can tell me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven or from man?
They reasoned among themselves and said, If we say, From heaven; He will ask us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we say, From man; we fear the people for they hold John as a prophet.
Finally they said to Jesus, We cannot tell. Jesus responded, Neither, then, do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Hear this. A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, Son, today go to work in my vineyard. The son answered, I will not. But, afterward he repented and went to work. Then the man went to the second son and said the same thing. The second son said, I will go, sir; but he did not go. Which of these two did the will of his father? They answered, The first son.
Jesus said, Verily I say, The publicans and the harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. John came to you in the way of righteousness and ye believed him not. But the publicans and the harlots believed him. And ye, even after ye had seen, did not repent that ye believed him.
Hear another parable: There was a householder who planted a vineyard. He hedged it all around, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to husbandsmen and went abroad. When the time of the harvest drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandsmen to receive the fruits of it. The husbandsmen took his servants, beat one, stoned one, and killed another. Next, he sent more servants than the first time. They did to them the same thing. Finally, he sent his son, saying, They will respect my son. But when the husbandsmen saw the son, they said, This is the heir. Let us kill him and seize his inheritance. So they caught him, cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When, therefore, the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to these husbandsmen?
They said to Jesus, He will destroy these miserable and wicked men and he will rent out his vineyard to others who will render him the fruits in their seasons.
Jesus said, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected is the same that has become the cornerstone; this is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes? I tell you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation that brings forth its fruits. Whoever falls on this stone shall be broken. On whomever this stone falls, he will be ground into powder.
When the chief priests and Pharisees heard these parables, they saw that Jesus spoke about them. But when they thought of laying hands on Him, they feared the multitude because they took Jesus for a prophet.
22 Jesus related more parables. He said, The kingdom of heaven is like a king who arranged a marriage feast for his son. He sent his servants forth to call those who were invited to the wedding but they did not come. He sent other servants to say, Dinner is prepared. The king's oxen and fatlings are killed. Everything is ready. Come to the marriage. Those who were invited made light of it and went their ways. One went out to his farm. Another attended to his merchandise. The others took the king's servants, treated them spitefully, and then slew them.
When the king heard this he was outraged. He sent out his armies to destroy the murderers and burn their city. Then he said to his servants, The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, invite them to the marriage feast. These servants went out and gathered together all those they found, both bad and good, and the wedding was furnished with guests.
Then, the king came in to greet the guests. He spotted a man who did not wear the wedding garment that was provided. The king said to him, Friend, why did you come in here without the wedding garment? The man made no answer. So the king told his servants, Bind him hand and foot. Then take him away and cast him into outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for many are called but few are chosen.
Then the Pharisees met to discuss how they might trap Jesus in His words. They sent some of their people along with the herodians to question Jesus. They said, Master, we know that thou art true and teach the way of God in truth. Tell us, therefore, what thou think. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?
Jesus, perceiving their wicked motive, said, Why test me, ye hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. They brought a coin to Him. Jesus asked, Whose image and superscription is this? They said, Caesar's. Jesus said, Render, therefore, unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's. When they heard these words, they marvelled, and left Him to go their way.
The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked, Master, Moses said if a man dies and has no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother. Likewise, the second also, and the third, up to the seventh brother. Then, finally the woman died also. Now, according to the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the seven since they all had her?
Jesus said, Ye err. You do not know the scriptures nor the power of God. In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Concerning the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
When the multitude heard this, they were astonished at His doctrine. But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus put the Sadducees to silence, they gathered together. One of them, a lawyer, tested Jesus with this question, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus answered, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments rests all the law and the prophets.
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He? They said, The son of David. Jesus then asked, How, then, does David, in spirit, call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David calls him Lord, how is he his son? No man was able to answer a word, nor dare any man from that day forth ask Jesus any more questions.
23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowd and to His followers. He said, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' place. Whatsoever they bid you to observe and do, ye shall observe and do. But do not follow after their works because what they say, they do not do themselves. They bind heavy burdens, grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders. But they, themselves, will not even lay so much as a finger on one of them. All their works they do for show to other men. They love the uppermost rooms at feasts and the chief seats in the synagogues. They like greetings in the markets and to be called out to, Rabbi, Rabbi.
But be ye not called Rabbi. Only one is your teacher, even Christ; and ye are all brethren. Call no man on earth your father, for only one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters, for only one is your Master, even Christ. Also, he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall be humbled shall be exalted.
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye shut men out of the kingdom of heaven, ye enter not in yourselves, and you do not allow others to attempt to enter in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye devour widows' houses and, for a pretence, make long prayers. Therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye venture over sea and land for one proselyte and, when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides who say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, is worth nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, makes a good pledge! Ye fools and blind men. What is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
And ye say, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, is worth nothing; but whosoever swears by the gift that is upon it, is worthy of praise. Ye fools and blind men. What is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? Whoso, therefore, shall swear by the altar, swears by it and by all things upon it. And whoso shall swear by the temple, swears by it and by Him that dwells therein. And He that shall swear by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him that sits thereon.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, but ye have ignored the weightier matters of the law; judgment, mercy, and faith. Ye blind guides who strain from your drink a gnat and swallow a camel.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye make the outside of the cup and platter clean, but inside they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee. Cleanse first that which is inside the cup and platter so the outside may be clean also.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye are like whited sepulchres, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and uncleanness. Even if ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, inside ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites! Ye build the tombs for the prophets and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous. Ye say, If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Be witnesses unto yourselves. Ye are the children of those who killed the prophets and ye measure up to your fathers.
Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? I send prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them ye shall kill and crucify. Some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues and persecute them from city to city. On your hands shall be the blood of all the righteous shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. All these things shall come upon this generation.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killed the prophets, and stoned those sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not have it! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. Ye shall not see me again until ye shall say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
24 Jesus went outside and His disciples came to show Him the buildings of the temple. Jesus said, Take note of all these things. There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down. On the mount of Olives, the disciples said, Tell us, when will these things happen? What shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?
Jesus answered, Take heed that no man deceive you. Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ and they shall deceive many. Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye are not troubled. All these things must come to pass but the end is not come yet. Nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There shall be famines, pestilence, and earthquakes in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows. They will deliver you up to be afflicted. They shall kill you. Ye shall be hated by all nations for my name's sake. Many will be offended and will betray and hate one another. False prophets shall arise and deceive. And, because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will wax cold. But those who endure unto the end shall be saved.
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached all around the world as a witness to all nations. Then the end shall come. When ye see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet, Daniel, stand in the holy place; understand the prophecy.
Let those who are in Judaea flee into the mountains. Let him stay who is on the housetop and not come down to take anything out of his house. Neither let he who is in the field return to get his clothing. Woe unto the women who are with child.
Pray that your flight be not in the winter or on the sabbath day. There shall be great tribulation, such as was not seen from the beginning of the world until now and will never be seen again. Unless those days are numbered, no flesh shall be saved. But, for the elect's sake, those days shall be numbered.
Thus, if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ, or there He is; believe it not. There shall arise false Christs and false prophets. They will show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it be possible, they will deceive the very elect.
Behold, I tell you all this beforehand. So, if they say to you, Behold, He is in the desert, do not go forth. Or, behold, He is in the secret chambers, believe it not. For, just as the lightning comes out of the east and shines over unto the west, so also shall be the coming of the Son of man.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened. The moon will not reflect light. The stars will fall from heaven. The powers of the heavens shall be shaken. All the people of the earth shall mourn.
Then the sign of the Son of man will appear. They shall see Him coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet. His angels will gather together His elect from the four winds and from one end of heaven to the other.
Now learn a parable about the fig tree. When its branch is yet tender and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is near. So, likewise, when ye see all these things, know what is near.
This generation shall not pass away until all these things are fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But, of the day and the hour no man knows, no, not the angels of heaven, but only my Father.
The coming of the Son of man shall be like in the days of Noah. Before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. They knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away. So shall also be the coming of the Son of man.
At that time, two shall be in the field. One shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill. One shall be taken and the other left. Watch, for ye know not what hour your Lord comes.
Know this, If the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have guarded and would not have suffered his house to be broken into. Therefore, be ready. At an hour that ye think the Son of man will not come, then He will come.
It is a faithful and wise servant who, his lord having given him charge over the household, prepares the foods in due season. Blessed is that servant who, when his lord arrives, shall find him doing so. He shall make the servant ruler over all his goods.
It is an evil servant who says, My lord delays his coming so I shall take advantage. He smites his fellowservants and eats and drinks until drunken. The lord of that servant shall come in a day when the servant does not expect him. At a time when the servant is unaware, he shall be cut asunder and thrown out with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
25 The kingdom of heaven is likened unto ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise. Five were foolish. The foolish took their lamps but no extra oil with them. The wise took oil in their vessels along with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered. At midnight there was a cry, Behold, the bridegroom is coming. Go out to meet Him.
All the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, No, there will be not enough for us and you. Go to them that sell oil and buy some.
While they went to buy the oil, the bridegroom came. Those who were ready went in with him to the marriage and the door was shut. Much later, the other virgins arrived and called, Lord, Lord, open the door to us. But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I do not know you. Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes.
The kingdom of heaven is like a man who travels into a far country. Before he leaves he calls his servants and turns his goods over to them. To one he gives five talents. To another he gives two talents. To another he gives one. He gives to every man according to his ability.
The servant who received the five talents traded and made another five talents. He who received two, gained another two. But the servant that received one, dug a hole in the earth and hid his lord's money.
After a long time, the lord returned from his journey and reckoned with his servants. He who received five talents came and brought another five talents. He said, Lord, thou delivered five talents to me. Behold, I have gained five more talents besides them. His lord said, Well done. Thou has been faithful over a few things so I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of thy lord!
He who received two talents came and said, Lord, thou delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained two more talents beside them. His lord said, Well done. Thou has been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of thy lord!
Then the servant who received the one talent came and said, Lord, I know that thou art a hard man who reaps where he has not sown and gathers where he has not toiled. I was afraid, so I hid thy talent in the earth. Here, now thou has what is thine.
His lord cried, Thou wicked and slothful servant. Thou knew that I reap where I sow not and gather where I do not toil. Thou ought to have, at least, put my money out to the exchangers so, upon my return, I should have received my own money with interest. Take the talent and give it to the one who has ten talents.
To the one who uses his talent wisely, more shall be given, and he shall have abundance. But to the one who does not, any talent he has shall be taken away. The unprofitable servant shall be cast into outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
When the Son of man comes with His holy angels, He shall sit upon the throne of His glory. Before Him shall be gathered all nations. He shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divides his sheep from his goats. He shall set the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on the left.
Then the King shall say to those on His right, Come, ye blessed of my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry and ye gave me food. I was thirsty and ye gave me drink. I was a stranger and ye took me in. I was naked and ye clothed me. I was sick and ye visited me. I was in prison and ye came to me.
Then the righteous shall ask Him, Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee? Or thirsty and gave thee drink? When did we see thee a stranger and take thee in? Or naked and clothe thee? When did we see thee sick, or in prison and come to thee? The King shall answer, Verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it to me.
Then He shall say to those on the left, Depart from me into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. I was hungry and ye gave me no food. I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink. I was a stranger and ye did not take me in. I was naked and ye did not clothe me. I was sick and in prison and ye did not visit me.
Then they shall also ask Him, Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and not minister unto thee? He shall answer them, Inasmuch as ye did not do these things to one of the least of my brethren, ye did not do it to me. These shall go to everlasting punishment. And the righteous shall have life eternal.
26It came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings He said toHis disciples, In two days is the feast of the passover. The Son of manwill be betrayed and crucified.
At the same time the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people held a meeting in the palace of the high priest, Caiaphas. They discussed how they might take Jesus by stealth and kill Him. But they said, It cannot happen on the feast day lest there be an uproar among the people.
Jesus was now in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper. There He was approached by a woman carrying an alabaster box containing very precious ointment. She, then, annointed His head as He sat at dinner.
When His disciples saw it they were indignant and said, To what purpose is this waste? This ointment could have been sold for much and the money given to the poor. When Jesus overheard them He said, Why bother this woman? She has wrought a good work upon me. The poor ye have always with you; but me ye have not always. In annointing me, she prepared me for my burial. Anywhere in the world this gospel is preached it shall also be told what this woman has done.
Then, one of the twelve, Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests. He asked, What will ye give me if I will deliver Jesus unto you? They agreed on thirty pieces of silver and, from that time, Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Him.
On the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, Where shall we prepare for thee to eat the passover? Jesus told them to go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Master says His time is at hand. Tell this man that He will keep the passover there with His disciples. Then the disciples did as Jesus had appointed and they prepared the passover.
When it was evening, Jesus sat down with the twelve. While they ate He said, Verily I say unto you, one of you shall betray me. The disciples heard this with great sorrow and, all at the same time uttered, Lord, is it me? Jesus only said, He that dips his hand in the dish with me shall betray me.
It is written: Woe unto the one by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been better for him if he had not been born. Then Judas, who betrayed Him, asked, Master, is it me? Jesus turned to him and quietly said, Thou has said right.
While they ate, Jesus took up the bread and blessed it. He then broke it and gave it to the disciples saying, Take this and eat for this is my body. Then He took the cup and gave thanks. He passed it to them saying, Drink ye all from this for this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins. I say unto you, I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it with you in my Father's kingdom. Following the meal, they sang hymns and went out into the mount of Olives.
Jesus said to the disciples, Ye shall all be offended this night because of me for it is written: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But, after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Peter said to Him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, I will never be offended. Jesus answered Peter, This night, before the cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter replied, Though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. Then all the disciples said the same.
Jesus took them into a place called Gethsemane and said, Sit here whileI go yonder to pray. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee withHim. He said to these three, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful and heavyunto death. Stay here and watch with me.
He went off a little farther and fell on His face. Jesus prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, be it not as I will, but as Thou wilt.
Then He went to the three disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, Could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray so ye do not give in to this temptation again because, while the spirit may be willing, the flesh is weak.
He went away a second time and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me unless I drink it, then Thy will be done. Returning to the three, He, again, found that they had been asleep for their eyes were heavy. He left them and went to pray a third time, saying the same words.
When Jesus went back to all the disciples He said, Behold, the hour is at hand. The Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. The one who betrays me is at hand.
While He spoke, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came with a great multitude. They were armed with swords and staves from the chief priests and elders of the people. Judas had agreed on a sign saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He. Hold Him fast. Judas approached Jesus, greeted Him; then kissed Him. Jesus said to him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then they came and took hold of Jesus.
Behold, one who was with Jesus drew his sword, and, striking out at one of the high priest's servants, smote off his ear. Jesus said to him, Put thy sword back into its place. All who take to the sword shall perish by the sword. Think thou that I cannot pray to my Father and He shall give me more than twelve legions of angels? But, then, how shall the scriptures be fulfilled that this is the way it must be?
Jesus said to this multitude, Do ye come at me as against a thief with swords and staves to take me? Daily I sat with you teaching in the temple and ye did not lay hold of me. This was done so the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.
When they took hold of Jesus, all the disciples left Him and fled. They led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest where the scribes and elders were assembled. But Peter followed far behind to the high priest's palace. He went in and sat with the servants.
The chief priests, elders, and all the council sought false witness against Jesus in order to put Him to death. At last, two false witnesses came and said, This one said He was able to destroy the temple of God and build it up again in three days.
The high priest arose and said to Jesus, Answerest thou nothing? What is it that they witness against thee? But Jesus said nothing. Then the high priest said to Him, I adjure thee, by the living God, tell us whether thou are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus replied, Thou has said so. I say unto you, hereafter, ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and appearing in the clouds of heaven.
Then the high priest cried, He has spoken blasphemy. What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard His blasphemy. What think ye? They answered, He is guilty of death. Then they spit in His face. Others struck Him with the palms of their hands and said, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that struck thee?
During this, Peter sat outside the palace. A damsel came up to him and said, Thou also was with Jesus of Galilee. But Peter denied this and he went out on the porch. Another maid saw him and said to the others standing there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. Peter denied this with an oath and said, I do not know the man.
Later, one of the bystanders came up to Peter and said, Surely, by thy voice I know thou art one of them. Peter began to curse and swear and said, I know not the man. Then the cock crowed. Peter remembered the words of Jesus to him: Before the cock crows, thou shall deny me thrice. He went out and wept bitterly.
27The next morning all the chief priests and elders met concerning Jesus.They agreed to put Him to death. They bound Him, led Him away, anddelivered Him to Pontius Pilate, the governor.
When Judas realized that Jesus was condemned, he repented. He took the thirty pieces of silver back to the chief priests and elders. He said, I have sinned. I have betrayed the innocent. They retorted, What is that to us? So Judas cast down the pieces of silver in the temple. Immediately he went away and hung himself.
At the same time, the chief priests took up the silver pieces and said, It is not lawful to put this into the treasury because it is blood money. After they took counsel, they bought the potter's field for the burial of strangers, which became known as The Field of Blood. The prophecy of Jeremy was fulfilled: They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price for Him that was valued of the children of Israel, and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed.
Jesus now stood before Pilate, the governor. Pilate asked Him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus replied, Thou sayest so. When Jesus was accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him, Hearest thou the things they witness against thee? Jesus said never a word. At this the governor marvelled greatly.
The custom at the passover feast was for the governor to release a prisoner of the people's choosing. A notable prisoner named Barabbas was in the prison. Therefore, when the people were gathered together, Pilate said, Whom will ye that I release, Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ?
While he was seated on the judgment seat, Pilate's wife sent a message to him that said, Have nothing to do with that just man. Today I have suffered many things in a dream because of Him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude to choose Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
When Pilate, the governor, asked which of the two they chose they said,Barabbas. Pilate asked, What shall I do then with Jesus who is calledChrist? They all said, Let Him be crucified.
The governor asked, Why, what evil has He done? But they cried out the more and shouted, Let Him be crucified. Pilate realized he could not prevail without making a tumult among the people. So he took water, washed his hands before the multitude, and said, I am innocent of the blood of this just person. See ye to it. The people said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then Pilate released Barabbas. He had Jesus scourged and delivered Him to be crucified.
Pilate's soldiers took Jesus into the common hall where the whole band of soldiers gathered around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. They platted a crown of thorns and put it on His head. Then they put a reed in His right hand. Bowing down, they mocked Him saying, Hail, King of the Jews! They spit on Him, took the reed, and struck Him on the head. As they were leading Him away to be crucified, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and compelled him to carry the cross for Jesus.
They took Him to a place called Golgotha, or the place of a skull. There they gave Him vinegar to drink mixed with gall. When Jesus tasted it, He would not drink it. They crucified Him and parted out His garments by casting lots. Thus the prophecy was fulfilled: They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. Then the soldiers placed a written accusation over His head. It read: This Is Jesus, The King Of The Jews.
Two thieves were crucified alongside Jesus, one on His right hand and the other on His left. As people passed by they reviled Him and called out: Thou that destroys the temple and builds it again in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
The chief priests, along with the scribes and elders, mocked Him. They said, He saved others but He cannot save Himself. If He is the King of Israel, let Him come down from the cross and we will believe Him. He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now, if God will have Him, for He said, I am the Son of God.
From the sixth until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. At about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
When some of those standing by heard this, they said, This man calls for Elias. Presently, one of them ran to get a sponge. He filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, Leave it alone. Let us see whether Elias will come to save Him. Then Jesus cried again in a loud voice and yielded Himself up.
Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split apart. Graves were opened. The bodies of many saints who slept rose up and, after His resurrection, went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurions who were watching Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that were done, they became afraid and said, Truly this was the Son of God.
Many of the women who followed Jesus of Galilee and ministered to Him were there looking on. Among them was Mary Magdalene; another Mary; and the mother of Zebedee's children. When evening came, a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who was also Jesus' disciple arrived. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb which was hewn out of rock. He rolled a great stone across the door of the sepulchre and departed. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat alongside the sepulchre.
The next day following the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and said, Sir, that deceiver, while he was yet alive, said that, in three days, He would rise up again. Command that the sepulchre be made secure until the third day lest His disciples come by night, steal Him away, and tell the people that He is risen from the dead. Then the last error will be worse than the first.
Pilate said to them, Ye have a watch. Go your way. Make it as secure as ye can. The chief priests and the Pharisees went and made the sepulchre secure by sealing the stone and setting guards to watch.
28 After the sabbath, near dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the sepulchre. Behold, there was a great earthquake. An angel of the Lord descended from heaven, came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning with raiment white as snow. The guards shook with fear of Him and became as dead men.
The angel said to the women, Fear not for I know that ye seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here for, as He said, He is risen. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead. Behold, He goes before you into Galilee. There ye shall see Him. Lo, I have told you.
The women quickly left the sepulchre filled with both fear and great joy. They ran to bring word to Jesus' disciples. As they went along Jesus met them and greeted them. They went to Him, held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him. Then Jesus said to them, Be not afraid. Go and tell my brethren to go into Galilee and there they shall see me.
Some of the guards on watch went into the city and told the chief priests the things that were done. After an assembly of the elders the soldiers were offered a large amount of money to say that Jesus' disciples came by night and stole Him away while they slept. The soldiers were assured they would be protected if this came to the governor's ears. They took the money and did as they were told. This report is common among the Jews until this day.
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain appointed by Jesus. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him. Jesus came to them and said, All power is given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and teach all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teach them to observe all the things I have commanded you.
I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Amen.
———————- 11-2002 edited by Lightheart PracticeGodsPresence.com
End of Project Gutenberg's The Gospel of Matthew for Readers, by Lightheart