Chapter 8

LK 9:46-4846 And an argument arose among them as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by him, 48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great."63.30Jesus Warns His Disciples against Spiritual ExclusivenessMK 9:38-4138 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name and we forbade him, because he was not one of us." 39 But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who does a miracle in my name can soon afterward speak evil of me. 40 For he who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, will by no means lose his reward.LK 9:49-5049 Now John answered, "Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us." 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he that is not against you is for you."63.30Temptation to SinMT 18:6-206 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of temptations to sin! For temptations must come, but woe to the man by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault,between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained yourbrother. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along withyou, so that 'every matter may be established by the word of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.18 "Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."MK 9:42-5042 "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, to the fire that shall never be quenched. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.' 49 For every one will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."63.40Exhortation to ForgivenessMT 18:21-3521 Then Peter came to him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the settlement, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And as he was not able to pay, his master ordered that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 The master of that servant took pity on him, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe.' 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.' 30 But he refused, and went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and went and told their master all that had happened. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to each of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."64.10The Samaritans Refuse to Receive Jesus.James and John are angry concerning this and Jesus RebukesThem.MT 19:11 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.MK 10:1a1 Then he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan.LK 9:51-5551 When the time drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him; 53 but the people did not receive him, because his face was set for Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" 55 But he turned and rebuked them, 56 and they went on to another village.64.20Crowds Follow JesusMT 19:22 And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.MK 10:1b1 And crowds gathered to him again; and again, as his customwas, he taught them.LK 9:56-6256 and they went on to another village.57 As they were going along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you             wherever you go." 58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of             the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." 59 To             another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my             father." 60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go             and proclaim the kingdom of God." 61 Still another said, "I will follow you,    Lord; but first let me go back and say farewell to those at my home." 62 Jesus   said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."Part 9 - PARABLES AND HEALINGS64.20Discourse on who shall be SavedLK 13:22-3322 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them, 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the owner of the house has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open for us.' He will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.' 26 Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' 27 But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!'28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. 29 And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."31 At that very time some Pharisees came, and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." 32 And he said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.' 33 Nevertheless I must journey today and tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.65.10Jesus Heals a Man of Dropsy on the SabbathLK 14:1-61 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they watched him. 2 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" 4 But they kept silent. And he took him and healed him, and let him go. 5 Then he said to them, "Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?" 6 And they could not reply to this.65.20Parable of the Great SupperLK 14:7-247 So he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noted how they chose the places of honor, saying to them: 8 "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest one more distinguished than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 12 Then he also said to the one who invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers, your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."15 When one of those who sat at table with him heard this, he said to him, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16 Then he said to him, "A certain man gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for all is now ready.' 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. I ask you to have me excused.' 19 And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.' 20 Still another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21 So the servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in the poor and the maimed, the blind and the lame.' 22 And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23 Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"66.10The Price of DiscipleshipLK 14:25-3525 Now great multitudes went with him; and he turned and said to them, 26 "If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build, and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks terms of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not give up all that he has cannot be my disciple.34 Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its taste, how shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill; men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"67.10The Lost Sheep ParableLK 15:1-71 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.67.20The Parable of the Lost SilverLK 15:8-108 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."67.30The Parable of the Prodigal SonLK 15:11-3211 Then he said: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' So he divided his living between them. 13 Not many days after, the younger son gathered together all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. 14 And when he had spent everything, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and here I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion for him, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.25 "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, 'Behold, these many years I have been serving you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.'"68.10The Parable of the Unjust StewardLK 16:1-181 He also said to his disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' 3 The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.' 5 So he called in each one of his master's debtors, and he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 6 And he said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' 7 Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' And he said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8 So the master commended the dishonest steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. 10 He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will trust you with the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another's, who will give you what is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they scoffed at him. 15 He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 16 The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one dot of the law to fail. 18 Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.68:20The Parable of Lazarus After DeathLK 16:19-3119 "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 longing to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.' 25 But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus received evil things; but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' 27 And he said, ' Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' 29 Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"69.10Discourse on Forgiveness, Faith and HumilityLK 17:1-101 Then he said to his disciples, "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Take heed to yourselves; if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times, and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.7 "Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? 8 Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare my supper, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink'? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what he was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"70.10The Cleansing of the Ten LepersLK 17:11-1911 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 When he saw them, he said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."71.10Jesus Foretells His Sufferings and His Second ComingLK 17:20-3720 Now when he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is within you." 22 Then he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, 'Look here!' or 'Look there!' Do not go after them or follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one part to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 So will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, let him who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away. And likewise let him who is in the field not turn back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding together; one will be taken and the other left." 37 And they said to him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."71.20The Parable of the Unrighteous JudgeLK 18:1-81 Then he told them a parable, to show that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said: "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her justice, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'" 6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you that he will bring about justice for them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"71.20The Parable of the Pharisee and the PublicanLK 18:9-149 Also he told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."Part 10 - LAZARUS RAISED72.10Jesus Discourses on Marriage and DivorceMT 19:3-123 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" 4 And he answered them, "Have you not read that he who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." 7 They said to him, "Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." 10 The disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry." 11 But he said to them, "Not all men can accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it."MK 10:2-122 The Pharisees came and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" 3 He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" 4 They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away." 5 But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 7 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 10 In the house his disciples also asked him again about this matter. 11 So he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."73.10Jesus Blesses Little ChildrenMT 19:13-1513 Then little children were brought to him that he might put his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." 15 And he laid his hands on them and went from there.MK 10:13-1613 And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it." 16 And he took them in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.LK 18:15-1715 Now they were also bringing infants to him that he might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it."74.10The Rich Young RulerMT 19:16-3016 Now behold, one came up and said to him, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?" 17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments." 18 He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, 19 honor your father and mother, and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" 20 The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." 27 Then Peter answered him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" 28 Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.MK 10:17-3117 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" 20 And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22 But he fell sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." 28 Peter began to say to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you." 29 Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time-house and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first."LK 18:18-3018 Now a certain ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 19 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" 21 And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." 22 When Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 23 But when he heard this, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.24 Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26 Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" 27 But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." 28 Then Peter said, "Behold, we have left all and followed you." 29 So he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life."74.20The Parable of the Laborers in the VineyardMT 20:1-161 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.' 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 So when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' 13 But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as I gave to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last."75.10Jesus a Third Time Foretells His Death and ResurrectionMT 20:17-1917 Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn him to death, 19 and deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."MK 10:32-3432 They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And he took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him. 33 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock him, and spit on him, and scourge him, and kill him. And after three days he will rise."LK 18:31-3431 Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written of the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33 They will scourge him and kill him, and on the third day he will rise again." 34 But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.75.10Jesus Answer to the Ambitious Request of James and JohnMT 20:20-2820 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to him with her sons and, kneeling down, asked something of him. 21 And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." 23 He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right or my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you must be your servant. 27 And whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave-28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."MK 10:35-4535 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask." 36 And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" 37 And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and the other at your left, in your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" 39 They said to him, "We are able." So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."76.10Jesus Heals Bartimaeus, a Blind Man, as He Enters JerichoMK 10:46-5246 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 So Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; rise, he is calling you." 50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Master, let me receive my sight." 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.LK 18:35-4335 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." 38 And he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39 And those who led the way rebuked him, telling him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 So Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, I want to receive my sight." 42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." 43 And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.77.10Jesus and ZacchaeusLK 19:1-101 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." 6 So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."77.20The Parable of the Ten PoundsLK 19:11-2711 As they heard these things, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 Therefore he said: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 So he called ten of his servants, gave them ten minas, and said to them, 'Do business till I come.' 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' 15 And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, ' Master, your mina has earned ten minas more.' 17 And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, be in authority over ten cities.' 18 And the second came, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned five minas.' 19 Likewise he said to him, 'You also be over five cities.' 20 Then another came, saying, 'Master, here is your mina, which I have kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.' 22 He said to him, 'I will judge you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a hard man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' 24 And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.' 25 And they said to him, 'Master, he has ten minas already!' 26 'I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.'"78.10Jesus Heals Two Blind Man as He Leaves JerichoMT 20:29-3429 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the roadside, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be quiet; but they cried out all the more, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 32 And Jesus stopped and called them, saying, "What do you want me to do for you? " 33 They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." 34 And Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.79.10I and the Father are OneJN 10:22-4222 Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple, walking in Solomon's Porch. 24 So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me; 26 but you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."31 The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" 33 The Jews answered him, "For a good work we do not stone you, but for blasphemy, and because you, being a man, make yourself God." 34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, you are gods'? 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? 37 If I do not do the works of my father, do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father." 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped from their hands.40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there he stayed. 41 And many came to him and they said, "John performed no sign, but all that John said about this man was true." 42 And many believed in him there.80.10Jesus Raises Lazarus from the DeadJN 11:1-571 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was this Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is sick." 4 When Jesus heard it, he said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." 8 The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?" 9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." 11 These things he said, and after that he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to wake him up." 12 His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will recover." 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 So then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead; 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." 16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."17 So when Jesus came, he found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary sat in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."28 And when she had said this, she went her way and called Mary her sister, saying, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." 29 When she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 The Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was and saw him, fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see."35 Jesus wept.36 Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" 37 But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been dead four days." 40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing by, that they may believe that you sent me." 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with grave clothes, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come to Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all! 50 You do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish." 51 He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that he would gather together into one the children of God who were scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they plotted to put him to death.

LK 9:46-48

46 And an argument arose among them as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by him, 48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great."

63.30Jesus Warns His Disciples against Spiritual Exclusiveness

MK 9:38-41

38 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name and we forbade him, because he was not one of us." 39 But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who does a miracle in my name can soon afterward speak evil of me. 40 For he who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, will by no means lose his reward.

LK 9:49-50

49 Now John answered, "Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us." 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he that is not against you is for you."

63.30Temptation to Sin

MT 18:6-20

6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of temptations to sin! For temptations must come, but woe to the man by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault,

between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your

brother. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along with

you, so that 'every matter may be established by the word of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

18 "Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

MK 9:42-50

42 "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, to the fire that shall never be quenched. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.' 49 For every one will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

63.40Exhortation to Forgiveness

MT 18:21-35

21 Then Peter came to him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the settlement, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And as he was not able to pay, his master ordered that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 The master of that servant took pity on him, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe.' 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.' 30 But he refused, and went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and went and told their master all that had happened. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to each of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

64.10The Samaritans Refuse to Receive Jesus.

James and John are angry concerning this and Jesus RebukesThem.

MT 19:1

1 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.

MK 10:1a

1 Then he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan.

LK 9:51-55

51 When the time drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him; 53 but the people did not receive him, because his face was set for Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" 55 But he turned and rebuked them, 56 and they went on to another village.

64.20Crowds Follow Jesus

MT 19:2

2 And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

MK 10:1b

1 And crowds gathered to him again; and again, as his custom

was, he taught them.

LK 9:56-62

56 and they went on to another village.

57 As they were going along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you             wherever you go." 58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of             the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." 59 To             another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my             father." 60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go             and proclaim the kingdom of God." 61 Still another said, "I will follow you,    Lord; but first let me go back and say farewell to those at my home." 62 Jesus   said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Part 9 - PARABLES AND HEALINGS

64.20Discourse on who shall be Saved

LK 13:22-33

22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them, 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the owner of the house has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open for us.' He will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.' 26 Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' 27 But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!'28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. 29 And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

31 At that very time some Pharisees came, and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." 32 And he said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.' 33 Nevertheless I must journey today and tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.

65.10Jesus Heals a Man of Dropsy on the Sabbath

LK 14:1-6

1 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they watched him. 2 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" 4 But they kept silent. And he took him and healed him, and let him go. 5 Then he said to them, "Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?" 6 And they could not reply to this.

65.20Parable of the Great Supper

LK 14:7-24

7 So he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noted how they chose the places of honor, saying to them: 8 "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest one more distinguished than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 12 Then he also said to the one who invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers, your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

15 When one of those who sat at table with him heard this, he said to him, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16 Then he said to him, "A certain man gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for all is now ready.' 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. I ask you to have me excused.' 19 And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.' 20 Still another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21 So the servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in the poor and the maimed, the blind and the lame.' 22 And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23 Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"

66.10The Price of Discipleship

LK 14:25-35

25 Now great multitudes went with him; and he turned and said to them, 26 "If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build, and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks terms of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not give up all that he has cannot be my disciple.

34 Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its taste, how shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill; men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

67.10The Lost Sheep Parable

LK 15:1-7

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

67.20The Parable of the Lost Silver

LK 15:8-10

8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

67.30The Parable of the Prodigal Son

LK 15:11-32

11 Then he said: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' So he divided his living between them. 13 Not many days after, the younger son gathered together all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. 14 And when he had spent everything, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and here I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion for him, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.

25 "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, 'Behold, these many years I have been serving you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.'"

68.10The Parable of the Unjust Steward

LK 16:1-18

1 He also said to his disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' 3 The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.' 5 So he called in each one of his master's debtors, and he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' 6 And he said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' 7 Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' And he said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8 So the master commended the dishonest steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. 10 He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will trust you with the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another's, who will give you what is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they scoffed at him. 15 He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 16 The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one dot of the law to fail. 18 Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

68:20The Parable of Lazarus After Death

LK 16:19-31

19 "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 longing to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.' 25 But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus received evil things; but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' 27 And he said, ' Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' 29 Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"

69.10Discourse on Forgiveness, Faith and Humility

LK 17:1-10

1 Then he said to his disciples, "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Take heed to yourselves; if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times, and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."

5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

7 "Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? 8 Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare my supper, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink'? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what he was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

70.10The Cleansing of the Ten Lepers

LK 17:11-19

11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 When he saw them, he said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."

71.10Jesus Foretells His Sufferings and His Second Coming

LK 17:20-37

20 Now when he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is within you." 22 Then he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, 'Look here!' or 'Look there!' Do not go after them or follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one part to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 So will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, let him who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away. And likewise let him who is in the field not turn back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding together; one will be taken and the other left." 37 And they said to him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."

71.20The Parable of the Unrighteous Judge

LK 18:1-8

1 Then he told them a parable, to show that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said: "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her justice, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'" 6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you that he will bring about justice for them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

71.20The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican

LK 18:9-14

9 Also he told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Part 10 - LAZARUS RAISED

72.10Jesus Discourses on Marriage and Divorce

MT 19:3-12

3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" 4 And he answered them, "Have you not read that he who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." 7 They said to him, "Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." 10 The disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry." 11 But he said to them, "Not all men can accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it."

MK 10:2-12

2 The Pharisees came and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" 3 He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" 4 They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away." 5 But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 7 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 10 In the house his disciples also asked him again about this matter. 11 So he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."

73.10Jesus Blesses Little Children

MT 19:13-15

13 Then little children were brought to him that he might put his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." 15 And he laid his hands on them and went from there.

MK 10:13-16

13 And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it." 16 And he took them in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

LK 18:15-17

15 Now they were also bringing infants to him that he might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it."

74.10The Rich Young Ruler

MT 19:16-30

16 Now behold, one came up and said to him, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?" 17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments." 18 He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, 19 honor your father and mother, and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" 20 The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." 27 Then Peter answered him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" 28 Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

MK 10:17-31

17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" 20 And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22 But he fell sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." 28 Peter began to say to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you." 29 Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time-house and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

LK 18:18-30

18 Now a certain ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 19 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" 21 And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." 22 When Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 23 But when he heard this, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

24 Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26 Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" 27 But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." 28 Then Peter said, "Behold, we have left all and followed you." 29 So he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life."

74.20The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard

MT 20:1-16

1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.' 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 So when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' 13 But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as I gave to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

75.10Jesus a Third Time Foretells His Death and Resurrection

MT 20:17-19

17 Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn him to death, 19 and deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."

MK 10:32-34

32 They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And he took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him. 33 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock him, and spit on him, and scourge him, and kill him. And after three days he will rise."

LK 18:31-34

31 Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written of the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33 They will scourge him and kill him, and on the third day he will rise again." 34 But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.

75.10Jesus Answer to the Ambitious Request of James and John

MT 20:20-28

20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to him with her sons and, kneeling down, asked something of him. 21 And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." 23 He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right or my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you must be your servant. 27 And whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave-28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

MK 10:35-45

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask." 36 And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" 37 And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and the other at your left, in your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" 39 They said to him, "We are able." So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

76.10Jesus Heals Bartimaeus, a Blind Man, as He Enters Jericho

MK 10:46-52

46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 So Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; rise, he is calling you." 50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Master, let me receive my sight." 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

LK 18:35-43

35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." 38 And he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39 And those who led the way rebuked him, telling him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 So Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, I want to receive my sight." 42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." 43 And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

77.10Jesus and Zacchaeus

LK 19:1-10

1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." 6 So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

77.20The Parable of the Ten Pounds

LK 19:11-27

11 As they heard these things, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 Therefore he said: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 So he called ten of his servants, gave them ten minas, and said to them, 'Do business till I come.' 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' 15 And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, ' Master, your mina has earned ten minas more.' 17 And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, be in authority over ten cities.' 18 And the second came, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned five minas.' 19 Likewise he said to him, 'You also be over five cities.' 20 Then another came, saying, 'Master, here is your mina, which I have kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.' 22 He said to him, 'I will judge you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a hard man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' 24 And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.' 25 And they said to him, 'Master, he has ten minas already!' 26 'I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.'"

78.10Jesus Heals Two Blind Man as He Leaves Jericho

MT 20:29-34

29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the roadside, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be quiet; but they cried out all the more, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 32 And Jesus stopped and called them, saying, "What do you want me to do for you? " 33 They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." 34 And Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

79.10I and the Father are One

JN 10:22-42

22 Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple, walking in Solomon's Porch. 24 So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me; 26 but you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."

31 The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" 33 The Jews answered him, "For a good work we do not stone you, but for blasphemy, and because you, being a man, make yourself God." 34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, you are gods'? 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? 37 If I do not do the works of my father, do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father." 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped from their hands.

40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there he stayed. 41 And many came to him and they said, "John performed no sign, but all that John said about this man was true." 42 And many believed in him there.

80.10Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead

JN 11:1-57

1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was this Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is sick." 4 When Jesus heard it, he said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." 8 The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?" 9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." 11 These things he said, and after that he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to wake him up." 12 His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will recover." 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 So then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead; 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." 16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

17 So when Jesus came, he found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary sat in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."

28 And when she had said this, she went her way and called Mary her sister, saying, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." 29 When she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 The Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was and saw him, fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see."

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" 37 But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been dead four days." 40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing by, that they may believe that you sent me." 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with grave clothes, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come to Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all! 50 You do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish." 51 He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that he would gather together into one the children of God who were scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they plotted to put him to death.


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