Part 5
49 Then one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said, "You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is more to your advantage to have one man die for the people than for the whole nation to perish." 51 (Now he did not say this on his own, but because he was high priest that year, he prophesied that
Jesus was going to die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not for the Jewish nation only, but to gather together into one the children of God who are scattered.) 53 So from that day they planned together to kill him.
54 Thus Jesus no longer went around publicly among the Judeans, but went away from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim,a and stayed there with his disciples.
JERICHO AREA
The Rich Young Ruler (Mt 19:16-26; Mk 10:17-27; Lk 18:18-27) Mk 10:17 Now as Jesus was starting out on his way, a certain ruler ran up to him, fell on his knees, and said, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. Mt 19:17 But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. Mk 10:19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother,b Mt 19:19 and love your neighbor as yourself.' "c
Mk 10:20 The young man said to him, "Teacher, I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws since my youth. Mt
19:20 What do I still lack?" Mk 10:21 As Jesus looked at him, he felt love for him and said, "You lack one thing. Mt 19:21 If you wish to be perfect, go, sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Mk 10:22 But at this statement, the man looked sad and went away sorrowful, for he was very rich. 23 When Jesus noticed this, he looked around and said to his disciples, Mt 19:23 "I tell you the truth, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God!" Mk 10:24 The disciples were astonished at these words. But again Jesus said to them, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."
Mt 19:25 The disciples were even more astonished when they heard this and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?"
26 Jesus looked at them and replied, "This is impossible for mere humans, but not for God; all things are possible for God."
Rewards: Vineyard Workers (Mt 19:27-30; 20:1-16; Mk 10:28-31; Lk 18:28-30) Mt 19:27 Then Peter said to him, "Look, we have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?" 28 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth: In the age when all things are renewed, 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. Mk 10:29 There is no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel and God's kingdom 30 who will not receive in this age a hundred times as much—homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, fields, all with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Mt 20:1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 And after agreeing with the workers for the standard wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When it was about nine o'clock in the morning, he went out again and saw others standing around in the marketplace without work. 4 He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too, and I will give you whatever is right.' 5 So they went. When he went out again about noon and three o'clock that afternoon, he did the same thing. 6 About five o'clock that afternoon he went out and found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why are you standing here all day without work?'
7 "They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.'
a Unknown location. Perhaps 12-15 miles north of Jerusalem.
b Ex 20:12, 15; Dt 5:16, 20
c Lv 19:18
"He said to them, 'You go and work in the vineyard too.' 8 "When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the workers and give the pay starting with the last hired until the first.' 9 When those hired about five o'clock came, each received a full day's pay. 10 And when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more. But each one also received the standard wage. 11 When they received it, they began to complain against the landowner, 12 saying, 'These last fellows worked one hour, and you have made them equal to us who bore the hardship and burning heat of the day.'
13 "The landowner replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am not treating you unfairly. Didn't you agree with me to work for the standard wage? 14 Take what is yours and go. I want to give to this last man the same as I gave to you. 15 Am I not permitted to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?'
16 "So the last will be first, and the first last." Jesus Again Predicts His Death & Resurrection (Mk 10:32-34; Mt 20:17-19; Lk 18:31-34) Mk 10:32 They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem. Jesus was going ahead of them, and they were amazed, but those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside privately again and began to tell them what was going to happen to him. Lk 18:31 "Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. Mt 20:18 He will be handed over to the chief priests and experts in the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, spit on and flogged severely, and crucified. Yet on the third day, he will be raised."
Lk 18:34 But the twelve understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what Jesus meant.
James & John: Serving vs. Ruling (Mt 20:20-28; Mk 10:35-45)
Mt 20:20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, and kneeling down she asked him for a favor, Mk 10:35 saying, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask."
Mt 20:21 He said to her, "What do you want?" She replied, "Permit these two sons of mine to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in the glory of your kingdom."
Mk 10:38 But Jesus said to them, "You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I experience?"
39 They said to him, "We are able." Then Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I experience, 40 but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give. It is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
41 Now when the other ten heard this, they became angry with James and John. 42 Jesus called them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions use their authority over them. 43 But it is not this way among you. Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the 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."
Blind Men Healed – Jericho (Lk 18:35-43; Mt 20:29-34; Mk 10:46-52)a
Mk 10:46 As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd Lk 18:35 drew near Jericho, Mt 20:30 two blind men were sitting by the road, [including] Mk 10:46 Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar. Lk 18:36 Hearing a crowd passing by, they inquired what this meant. 37 "Jesus the Nazarene is passing by," they told them.
Mk 10:47 When they heard it was Jesus the Nazarene passing by, they began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!" Lk 18:39 Then those in front Mt 20:31 of the crowd scolded them to get them to be quiet. But they shouted even more loudly, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!"
a See Appendix VI. "Harmonizing the Healing of Blind Men at Jericho."
40 So Jesus stopped and ordered the beggars be brought to Him, Mk 10:49 saying, "Call them." Mk 10:49 So they called the blind men and said to them, "Have courage! Get up! He is calling you." 50 Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, they jumped up, and came to Jesus. When they drew near, Jesus asked them, 41 "What do you want Me to do for you?" Mk 10:51 They replied, "Rabbi (Lord), let us see again, Mt 20:33 let our eyes be opened." 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes Mk 10:52 and said to them, Lk 18:42 "Receive your sight! Mk
10:52 Go, your faith has healed you." Lk 18:43 Instantly they could see, and began to follow Him Mk 10:52 on the road, Lk
18:43 glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Jesus and Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-10) Lk 19:1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 Now a man named Zacchaeus was there; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to get a look at Jesus, but being a short man he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, because Jesus was going to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to that place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, because I must stay at your house today." 6 So he came down quickly and welcomed Jesus joyfully. 7 And when the people saw it, they all complained, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner."
8 But Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, half of my possessions I now give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone of anything, I am paying back four times as much!"
9 Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this household, because he too is a son of Abraham! 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Parable of the Ten Minas (Lk 19:11-28) Lk 19:11 While the people were listening to these things, Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. 12 Therefore he said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 And he summoned ten of his slaves, gave them ten minas, and said to them, 'Do business with these until I come back.' 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to be king over us!'
15 "When he returned after receiving the kingdom, he summoned these slaves to whom he had given the money. He wanted to know how much they had earned by trading. 16 So the first one came before him and said, 'Sir, your mina has made ten minas more.' 17 And the king said to him, 'Well done, good slave! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you will have authority over ten cities.'
18 "Then the second one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has made five minas.' 19 So the king said to him, 'And you are to be over five cities.'
20 "Then another slave came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina that I put away for safekeeping in a piece of cloth. 21 For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.'
22 "The king said to him, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! So you knew, did you, that I was a severe man, withdrawing what I didn't deposit and reaping what I didn't sow? 23 Why then didn't you put my money in the bank, so that when I returned I could have collected it with interest?'
24 "And he said to his attendants, 'Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has ten.' 25 "But they said to him, 'Sir, he has ten minas already!' 26 "'I tell you that everyone who has will be given more, but from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king, bring them here and slaughter them in front of me!' "
28 After Jesus had said this, he continued on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
LAST DAYS ON EARTH [AD 33] SATURDAYa – Approaching Jerusalem
Jesus Anointed by Mary – Bethany (Jn 11:55-12:11; Mt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9) Jn 11:55 Now the Jewish feast of Passover was near, and many people went up to Jerusalem from the rural areas before the Passover to cleanse themselves ritually. 56 Thus they were looking for Jesus, and saying to one another as they stood in the temple courts, "What do you think? That he won't come to the feast?" 57 (Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesus was should report it, so that they could arrest him.)
Jn 12:1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom he had raised from the dead. Mk 14:3 While Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, Jn 12:2 they prepared a dinner for him there. Martha was serving, and Lazarus was among those present at the table with him.
Mk 14:3 Then Mary came with an alabaster jar of Jn 12:3 three quarters of a pound of expensive aromatic oil from pure nard. Mk 14:3 After breaking open the jar, Mt 26:7 she poured it on his head Jn 12:3 and anointed his feet, Mt 26:6 as Jesus was at the table. Jn 12:3 She then wiped his feet dry with her hair. (Now the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfumed oil.)
Mk 14:4 But some who were present indignantly said to one another, "Why this waste of expensive ointment? Mt 26:9 It could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor!" Mk 14:5 So they spoke angrily to her.
Jn 12:4 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was going to betray him) said, 5 "Why wasn't this oil sold for three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor?" 6 (Now Judas said this not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money box, he used to steal what was put into it.)
Mt 26:10 When Jesus learned of this, he said to them, Mk 14:6 "Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a good service for me. 7 For you will always have the poor with you, and you can do good for them whenever you want. But you will not always have me! She did what she could. Mt 26:12 When she poured this oil on my body, she did it to Mk 14:8 anoint my body beforehand Mt 26:12 and prepare me for the day of my burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."
Jn 12:9 Now a large crowd of Judeans learned that Jesus was there, and so they came not only because of him but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests planned to kill Lazarus too, 11 for on account of him many of the Jewish people from Jerusalem were going away and believing in Jesus. SUNDAY – Entering Jerusalem
The Triumphal Procession – Bethany to Jerusalem & back (Mt 21:1-9; Mk 11:1-10; Lk 19:28-44; Jn 12:12-16)
Jn 12:12 The next day, Mk 11:1 as they approached Jerusalem, near Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 and said to them, "Go to the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it you will find a donkey tied there, Mt 21:2 and a colt with her Mk 11:2 that has never been ridden. Untie them and bring them here to me. Mk 11:3 If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say 'The Lord needs them and he will send them back here soon,' Mt 21:3 and he will send them at once."
Mt 21:6 So the disciples who were sent ahead went and did as Jesus had instructed them. Mk 11:4 They found a colt tied at a door, outside in the street, Lk 19:32 exactly as Jesus had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners, who were standing there, asked them, "Why are you untying that colt?"
a These are general time references, since the Jewish day began at sundown: Their Sunday began on our Saturday evening.
Mk 11:6 They replied as Jesus had told them, Lk 19:34 "The Lord needs it," Mk 11:6 and the owners let them go. Mt
21:7 Then the disciples brought the donkey and the colt to Jesus, placed their cloaks on them and had Jesus get on.a
Mt 21:4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet:
5 "Tell the people of Zion, Jn 12:15 'Do not be afraid.
Mt 21:5 Look, your king is coming to you, unassuming and seated on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "b
Jn 12:12 The large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So Lk 19:36 as he rode along, Mt 21:8 they spread their cloaks on the road. Others cut branches from the trees Mk 11:8 they had cut in the fields and Mt 21:8 spread them on the road.
Lk 19:37 As Jesus approached the road leading down from the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen. Mt 21:9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those following kept shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!c Jn 12:13 Blessed is the king of Israel! Mk 11:10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our Father David! Hosanna in the highest! Lk 19:38 Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
Lk 19:39 But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." 40 He answered, "I tell you, if they keep silent, the very stones will cry out!"
Jn 12:16 (Jesus' disciples did not understand these things when they first happened, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him and that these things had happened to him.)
Lk 19:41 Now when Jesus approached and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, "If you had only known on this day, even you, the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and surround you and close in on you from every side. 44 They will demolish you—you and your children within your walls—and they will not leave within you one stone on top of another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God."
Jesus Enters Jerusalem (Mt 21:10-11; Jn 12:17-19; Mk 11:11)
Mt 21:10 As he entered Jerusalem the whole city was thrown into an uproar, saying, "Who is this?" 11 And the crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee."
Jn 12:17 So the crowd who had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead were continuing to testify about it. 18 Because they had heard that Jesus had performed this miraculous sign, the crowd went out to meet him. 19 Thus the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you can do nothing. Look, the world has run off after him!"
Mk 11:11 Then Jesus went to the temple. And after looking around at everything, he went out to Bethany with the twelve since it was already late.
a Matthew mentions a donkey in addition to the colt, and reports that the disciples brought both of them to Jesus, placed their cloaks on them, and sat on them—which better fits the Zec 9:9 prophecy of the coming king seated on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
b Zec 9:9
c Ps 118:25-26
MONDAY
Cursing the Fig Tree (Mk 11:12-14; Mt 21:18-19a) Mt 21:18 Now early in the morning Mk 11:12 the next day, as they went out from Bethany Mt 21:18 and returned to the city, Jesus was hungry. Mk 11:13 After noticing in the distance by the road a fig tree with leaves, he went to see if he could find any fruit on it. When he came to it he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again. Mt 21:19 Never again will there be fruit from you!" And his disciples heard it.a
Cleansing the Temple (Mk 11:15-19; Mt 21:12-17; Lk 19:45-46) Mk 11:15 Then they came to Jerusalem. Jesus entered the temple area and began to drive out those who were selling and buying in the temple courts. He turned over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.
17 Then Jesus began to teach them and said, "Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'?b But you have turned it into a den of robbers!"c
Mt 21:14 The blind and lame came to him in the temple courts, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the experts in the law saw the wonderful things he did and heard the children crying out in the temple courts, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they became indignant 16 and said to him, "Do you hear what they are saying?"
Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of children and nursing infants you have prepared praise for yourself'?"d Mk 11:18 The chief priests and the experts in the law heard it and they considered how they could assassinate him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed by his teaching.
19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city Mt 21:17 to Bethany and spent the night there. TUESDAY
The Withered Fig Tree (Mk 11:20-24; Mt 21:20-22) Mk 11:20 In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered." Mt 21:20 When the disciples saw it they were amazed, saying, "How did it wither so quickly?"
Mk 11:22 Jesus said to them, "Have faith in God. Mt 21:21 I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' Mk 11:23 and do not doubt in your heart but believe that what you say will happen, it will be done for you. 24 For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
a Mt 21:19 adds, "And the fig tree withered at once," and jumps ahead to Mark's account (11:20-21) of how the disciples didn't notice the withered tree until the next morning.
b Isa 56:7
c Jer 7:11
d Ps 8:2
Jesus' Authority Challenged (Mt 21:23-27; Mk 11:27-33; Lk 19:47-20:8) Mk 11:27 They came again to Jerusalem Lk 19:47 and Jesus was teaching daily in the temple courts. The chief priests and the experts in the law and the prominent leaders among the people were seeking to assassinate him, 48 but they could not find a way to do it, for all the people hung on his words. Lk 20:1 As Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and the experts in the law with the elders of the people came up 2 and said to him, "Tell us: By what authority are you doing these things? Or who is it who gave you this authority?"
Mt 21:24 Jesus answered them, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things: Mk 11:30 John's baptism—was it from heaven or from people? Answer me."
5 So they discussed it with one another, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why did you not believe him?' Mt 21:26 But if we say, 'From people,' we fear the crowd—Lk 20:6 all the people will stone us—because they are convinced that John was a prophet." Mt 20:27 So they answered Jesus, "We don't know where it came from."
Then Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." Parable of the Two Sons (Mt 21:28-32; Mk 12:1a) Mk12:1 Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables. Mt 21:28 "What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29 The boy answered, 'I will not.' But later he had a change of heart and went. 30 The father went to the other son and said the same thing. This boy answered, 'I will, sir,' but did not go. 31 Which of the two did his father's will?"
They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, tax collectors and prostitutes will go ahead of you into the kingdom of God! 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe. Although you saw this, you did not later change your minds and believe him."
Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Mt 21:33-46; Mk 12:1-12; Lk 20:9-19) Lk 20:9 Then Jesus began to tell the people this parable: Mk 12:1 "A man planted a vineyard. He put a fence around it, dug a pit for its winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went on a journey. 2 At harvest time he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his portion of the crop. 3 But those tenants seized his slave, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed.
4 "So he sent another slave to them again. Lk 20:11 They beat this one too and treated him outrageously. Mt 21:35 They stoned him, Mk 12:4 struck him on the head, Lk 20:11 and sent him away empty-handed. Lk 20:12 So he sent still a third. They even wounded this one, and threw him out. Mk 12:5 He sent another, and that one they killed. This happened to many others, some of whom were beaten, others killed.
Lk 20:13 "Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What should I do?' Mk 12:6 He had one left, his one dear son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, Lk 20:13 'I will send my one dear son; perhaps they will respect him.'
Mt 21:38 "But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and get his inheritance!' 39 So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
40 "Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" 41 They said to him, "He will utterly destroy those evil men! Then he will lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his portion at the harvest."
Lk 20:16 Jesus said, "Yes, he will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others. Mt 21:43 For this reason I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit."
When the people heard this, they said, "May this never happen!" 17 But Jesus looked straight at them and said, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written? Mt
21:42 Have you never read in the scriptures:
'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?a
44 "The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, and the one on whom it falls will be crushed." 45 When the experts in the law, the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. 46 They wanted to arrest him that very hour, but they were afraid of the crowds, because the crowds regarded him as a prophet. Mk 12:12 So they left him and went away. Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Mt 22:1-14)
Mt 22:1 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 "The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his slaves to summon those who had been invited to the banquet, but they would not come.
4 "Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited, "Look! The feast I have prepared for you is ready. My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet." ' 5 But they were indifferent and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his slaves, insolently mistreated them, and killed them.
7 "The king was furious! He sent his soldiers, and they put those murderers to death and set their city on fire. 8 Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but the ones who had been invited were not worthy. 9 So go into the main streets and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.' 10 And those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all they found, both bad and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11 "But when the king came in to see the wedding guests, he saw a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' But he had nothing to say. 13 Then the king said to his attendants, 'Tie him up hand and foot and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!'
14 "For many are called, but few are chosen." Paying Taxes to Caesar (Mt 22:15-22: Mk 12:13-17; Lk 20:20-26)
Mk 12:13 Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians out and planned together to entrap Jesus with his own words. Lk 20:20 They watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They wanted to take advantage of what he might say so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.
Mk 12:14 When they came they said to him, Lk 20:21 "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and speak and teach correctly. Mk 12:14 You do not court anyone's favor because you show no partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay tribute taxes to Caesar or not?"
15 But Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and perceived their deceit and evil intentions and said to them, Mt
22:18 "Hypocrites! Why are you testing me? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax. Mk 12:15 Bring me a denarius and let me look at it. 16 So they brought him a denarius and he said to them, "Whose image and inscription are on it?"
They replied, "Caesar's." 17 Then Jesus said to them, "Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
Mt 22:22 Now when they heard this they Mk 12:17 were utterly amazed at him, Lk 20:26 and were unable in the presence of the people to trap him with his own words. Stunned by his answer, they fell silent, Mt 22:22 and left him and went away.
Marriage and the Resurrection (Mt 22:23-33; Mk 12:18-27; Lk 20:27-40)
Mt 22:23 The same day Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to him and asked him, Mk
12:19 "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, his brother must marry the
a Ps 188:22-23
widow and father children for his brother.'a Mt 22:25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children he left his wife to his brother. Mk 12:21 The second married her and died without any children. Lk 20:31 Then the third married her, and in this same way all seven died, leaving no children. Mt 22:27 Last of all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her."
Mk 12:24 Jesus said to them, "Aren't you deceived for this reason, because you don't know the scriptures or the power of God? Lk 20:34 The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are regarded as worthy to share in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 In fact, they can no longer die, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, since they are sons of the resurrection.
Mt 22:31 "Now as for the resurrection of the dead, Lk 20:37 even Moses revealed that the dead are raised in the passage about the bush, Mk 12:26 where God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'b Lk 20:38 Now he is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live before him. Mk 12:27 You are badly mistaken!"
Mt 22:33 When the crowds heard this, they were amazed at his teaching. Lk 20:39 Some of the experts in the law answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well!" 40 For they did not dare any longer to ask him anything.
The Greatest Commandment (Mk 12:28-34a; Mt 22:34-40) Mk 12:28 Now one of the experts in religious law came and heard them debating. When he saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him Mt 22:35 a question to test him, "Teacher, which commandment is the greatest, the most important of all?"
Mk 12:29 Jesus answered him, "The most important is: 'Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' Mt 22:38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'c 40 All the law and prophets depend on these two commandments. Mk 12:31 There is no other commandment greater than these."
32 The expert in the law said to him, "That is true, Teacher; you are right to say that he is one, and there is no one else besides him.d 33 And to love him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strengthe and to love your neighbor as yourselff is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered thoughtfully, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
Whose Son Is the Messiah? (Mt 22:41-46; Mk 12:34b-37; Lk 20:41-44) Mk 12:35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts Mt 22:41 and the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus asked them a question: 42 "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?"
They said, "The son of David." Mk 12:35 He said to them, "How is it that you experts in the law say that the Christ is David's son? David himself, by the Holy Spirit Mt 22:43 calls him 'Lord,' Lk 20:42 and says in the book of Psalms,
a Dt 25:5-6
b Ex 3:6
c Dt 6:4-5; Lv 19:18
d Dt 4:35
e Dt 6:5
f Lv 19:18
43 'The Lord said to my lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."'a
Mk 12:37 If David himself calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?"
Mt 22:46 No one was able to answer him a word, and from that day on no one dared to question him any longer.b Mk 12:37 But the large crowd was listening to him with delight.
Beware of Hypocritical Religious Leaders (Mt 23:1-3, 5-12; Mk 12:38-40; Lk 20:45-47)c Lk 20:45 As all the people were listening to his teaching, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 "Beware of the experts in the law Mt 23:2 and the Pharisees who sit on Moses' seat. 3 Pay attention to what they tell you and do it. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they teach. Lk 20:47 They devour widows' property and will receive a more severe punishment.
Mt 23:5 "They do all their deeds to be seen by people, Lk 20:45 for they like walking around in long robes, Mt 23:5 with their phylacteries wide and their tassels long, Lk 20:47 and as a show make long prayers. Mt 23:6 They love the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues,7 and elaborate greetings in the marketplaces, and to have people call them 'Rabbi.'
8 "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have one Teacher and you are all brothers. 9 And call no one your 'father' on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one teacher, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Widow's Offering (Mk 12:41-44; Lk 21:1-4) Mk 12:41 Then Jesus sat down opposite the offering box, and watched the crowd putting coins into it. Many rich people were throwing their gifts of large amounts into the offering box. Lk 21:2 He also saw a poor widow come and put in two small copper coins, Mk 12:42 worth less than a penny.
43 He called his disciples and said to them, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others. 44 For they all offered their gifts out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in what she had to live on, everything she had."
Jesus Will Be Glorified Through His Death (Jn 12:20-36) Jn 12:20 Now some Greeks were among those who had gone up to worship at the feast. 21 So these approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went and told Andrew, and they both went and told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, "The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the solemn truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 The one who loves his life destroys it, and the one who hates his life in this world guards it for eternal life. 26 If anyone wants to serve me, he must follow me, and where I am, my servant will be too. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
27 "Now my soul is greatly distressed. And what should I say? 'Father, deliver me from this hour'? No, but for this very reason I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name."
Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." 29 The crowd that stood there and heard the voice said that it had thundered. Others said that an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, "This voice has not come for my benefit but for yours. 31 Now is the judgment of this
a Ps 110:1
b Mark has the statement, "No one dared any longer to question him" coming after the most important command question, while Luke has it coming after the marriage and resurrection question.
c As noted previously, some of Jesus' rebuke of the hypocritical religious leaders reported in Matthew 23 have been included in Luke's earlier rebuke (Lk 11).
world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." 33 (Now he said this to indicate clearly what kind of death he was going to die.)
34 Then the crowd responded, "We have heard from the law that the Christ will remain forever.a How can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"
35 Jesus replied, "The light is with you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become sons of light."
When Jesus had said these things, he went away and hid himself from them. Response to Jesus: Rejection or Belief (Jn 12:37-50) Jn 12:37 Although Jesus had performed so many miraculous signs before them, they still refused to believe in him, 38 so that the word of Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled. He said, "Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"b 39 For this reason they could not believe, because again Isaiah said,
40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and understand with their heart, and turn to me, and I would heal them."c
41 Isaiah said these things because he saw Christ's glory, and spoke about him. 42 Nevertheless, even among the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they would not confess Jesus to be the Christ, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue. 43 For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
44 But Jesus shouted out, "The one who believes in me does not believe in me, but in the one who sent me, 45 and the one who sees me sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not obey them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not accept my words has a judge; the word I have spoken will judge him at the last day.
49 "For I have not spoken from my own authority, but the Father himself who sent me has commanded me what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. Thus the things I say, I say just as the Father has told me."
Jesus Foretells the Futured Destruction of the Temple/End of the Age – Mt of Olives (Lk 21:5-11; Mk 13:1-8; Mt 24:1-8)
Mt 24:1 Now as Jesus was going out of the temple courts and walking away, his disciples came to show him the temple buildings, Lk 21:5 how it was adorned with beautiful stones and offerings. Mk 13:1 One of his disciples said to him, "Teacher, look at these tremendous stones and buildings!"
Mk 13:2 Jesus said to him, "Do you see all these things, these great buildings Lk 21:6 that you are gazing at? Mt 24:2 I tell you the truth, Lk 21:6 the days will come when not one stone will be left on another. All will be torn down!"
Mk 13:3 So while he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, 4 "Teacher, tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that all these things are about to take place, Mt 24:3 your coming and the end of the age?"
a An allusion to Ps 89:35, 37
b Isa 53:1
c Isa 6:10
d See Appendix VII. "Harmonizing Jesus' Predictions of the Future."
4 Jesus answered them, "Watch out that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' Lk 21:8 and 'The time is near,' Mk 13:6 and they will mislead many. Lk 21:8 Do not follow them!
Lk 21:10 Then he said to them, Mk 13:7 "When you hear of wars, rebellions and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Lk 21:10 Nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven. Mk 13:7 These things must happen first, but the end is still to come, Lk 21:9 it will not come at once. Mt 24:8 All these things are but the beginning of birth pains."
Persecution and Reward (Mt 24:9-14; 10:21; Mk 13:9-13; Lk 21:12-19) Lk 21:12 "But before all this, Mk 13:9 you must watch out for yourselves. Lk 21:12 They will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought to stand before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses to them.
Mk 13:11 "When they arrest you and hand you over for trial, do not worry about what to speak. Lk 21:14 Be resolved not to rehearse ahead of time how to make your defense, Mk 13:11 but say whatever is given you at that time. Lk 21:15 For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. Mk 13:11 For it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
Mt 24:9 "You will be hated by all the nations (everyone) because of my name. 10 Then many will be led into sin, and they will betray one another and hate one another. Lk 21:16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. Mk 13:12 Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against parents and have them put to death.
Mt 24:11 "And many false prophets will appear and deceive many, 12 and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold. Lk 21:18 Yet not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance to the end you will gain your lives and be saved.
Mt 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom must first be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come."
"Abomination of Desolation" (Lk 21:20-24; 17:31; Mk 13:14-20; Mt 24:15-22) Lk 21:20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Mt
24:15 And when you see the abomination of desolationa—spoken about by Daniel the prophet—standing in the holy place Mk 13:14 where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Lk 21:21 Those who are inside the city must depart. Those who are out in the country must not enter it.
Lk 17:31 "On that day, anyone who is on the roof, with his goods in the house, must not come down Mk 13:15 or go inside to take anything out of his house. 16 And likewise the one in the field must not turn back to get his cloak, Lk 21:22 because these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.
Lk 21:23 "Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led away as captives among all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Mt 24:20 "Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For in those days there will be great suffering unlike anything that has happened from the beginning of the world that God created until now, or ever will happen. Mk 13:20 And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect whom he chose, he has cut them short."
"Look, Here is the Christ!" (Mk 13:21–23; Mt 24:23-28; Lk 17:22-25, 37) Lk 17:22 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 Then people will say to you, Mk 13:21 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe him. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and
a Dan 9:27
wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 Be careful and remember! I have told you everything ahead of time.
Mt 24:26 "So then, if someone says to you, 'Look he is in the wilderness!' Lk 17:23 do not go out or chase after them, or Mt 24:26 'Look, here he is in the inner rooms!' do not believe him. Lk 17:24 For just like the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, Mt 24:27 coming from the east to the west, so the coming of the Son of Man will be in his day. Lk 17:25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation."
Lk 17:37 Then the disciples said to him, "Where, Lord?" He replied to them, "Where the dead body is, there the vultures will gather."
Arrival of the Son of Man (Mt 24:29-31; Mk 13:24-27; Lk 21:25-28) Mt 24:29 "Immediately after the suffering of those days, Lk 21:25 there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth nations will be in distress, anxious over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves. 26 People will be fainting from fear and from the expectation of what is coming on the world. Mt 24:29 The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken.a
Mt 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heavenb with power and great glory. Lk 21:28 But when these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Mt 24:31 The Son of Man will send his angels with a loud trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
Parable of the Fig Tree (Mt 24:32-36; Mk 13:28-33; Lk 21:29-36) Lk 21:29 Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the other trees. Mt 24:32 Whenever their branches become tender Lk 21:30 and they sprout leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 So also you, when you see all these things, know that the kingdom of God is near, Mt 24:33 right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Mk 13:32 "But as for that day or hour no one knows it—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son—except the Father. 33 Therefore watch out! Stay alert! For you do not know when the time will come. Lk 21:34 Be on your guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day close down upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will overtake all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must happen, and to stand before the Son of Man."
Like the Days of Noah & Lot (Mt 24:37-41; Lk 17:26-30; 32-35) Lk 17:26 "For just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days Mt 24:37 of the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, Lk
17:27 right up to the day Noah entered the ark. Mt 24:39 And they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away. It will be the same at the coming of the Son of Man.
Lk 17:28 "Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot, people were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; 29 but on the day Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 It will be the same on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
Lk 17:32 "Remember Lot's wife! 33 Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.
a Allusion to Isa 13:10; 34:4 LXX; Joel 2:10
b Allusion to Dan 7:13
34 "I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding grain together with a mill; one will be taken and the other left. Mt 24:40 There will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one left."
Be Ready, As a Faithful Servant (Mt 24:42-51; Lk 12:35-48; 21:37; Mk 13:34-37) Lk 12:35 "Get dressed for service and keep your lamps burning; 36 be like people waiting for their master to come back from the wedding celebration, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom their master finds alert when he returns! I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, have them take their place at the table, and will come and wait on them! 38 Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, blessed are those slaves!
Mt 24:42 "Therefore stay alert, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have been alert and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Lk 12:41 Then Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?" Lk 12:42 The Lord replied, Mk 13:34 "It is like a man going on a journey. He left his house and put his slaves in charge, assigning to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to stay alert. Lk 12:42 Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his household servants, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds at work when he returns. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions.
45 "But if that evil slave should say to himself, 'My master is delayed in returning, Mt 24:48 and is staying away a long time,' Lk 12:45 and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, both men and women, and to eat, drink, and get drunk, 46 then the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not foresee, and will cut him in two, and assign him a place with the unfaithful Mt 24:51 hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Lk 12:47 "That servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or do what his master asked will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know his master's will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.
Mk 13:35 "Stay alert, then, because you do not know when the owner of the house will return—whether during evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or at dawn— 36 or else he might find you asleep when he returns suddenly. 37 What I say to you I say to everyone: Stay alert!"
Lk 21:37 Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, but at night he went and stayed on the Mount of Olives [Bethanya].
WEDNESDAYb
Parable of the 10 Virgins (Mt 25:1-13; Lk 21:38)
Lk 21:38 All the people came to Jesus early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts: Mt 25:1 "The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them. 4 But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps.
5 "When the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.'
a Bethany is identified with the Mount of Olives (Mk 11:1).
b While some believe Jesus did not return into Jerusalem on Wednesday, twice it is reported that during this week he taught daily or every day in the temple courts (Lk 19:47; 21:37). It was probably Wednesday when Jesus said, "After two days the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread are coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified"—on Friday (Mt 26:2).
7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.'
9 "'No,' they replied. 'There won't be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
10 "But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then the door was shut. 11 Later, the other virgins came too, saying, 'Lord, lord! Let us in!'
12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I do not know you!' 13 "Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour." The Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30) Mt 25:14 "For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
16 "The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. 18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money in it.
19 "After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, 'Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
21 "His master answered, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.'
22 "The one with the two talents also came and said, 'Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.'
23 "His master answered, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.'
24 "Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, 'Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.'
26 "But his master answered, 'Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn't sow and gather where I didn't scatter? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "
The Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) Mt 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 "Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
40 "And the king will answer them, 'I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.'
41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels! 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. 43 I was a stranger and you did not receive me as a guest, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'
44 "Then they too will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not give you whatever you needed?'
45 "Then he will answer them, 'I tell you the truth, just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.' 46 And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Lk 21:38 All the people came to Jesus early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts. The Plot to Kill Jesus (Mt 26:1-5; 14-16; Mk 14:1-2, 10-11; Lk 22:1-6) Mt 26:1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he told his disciples, 2 "You know that after two days the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread are coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people met together in the palace of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas. 4 They planned to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, "Not during the feast, so that there won't be a riot among the people." Lk 22:2 For they were afraid of the people.
Lk 22:3 Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve. 4 He went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard how he might betray Jesus, handing him over to them. Mt 26:15 He said, "What will you give me to betray him into your hands?" They were delighted and gave him thirty silver coins. Lk 22:6 So Judas agreed and from that time on he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus when no crowd was present.
THURSDAY
Preparing for Feast of Unleavened Bread & Passovera – Bethany into Jerusalem (Lk 22:7-13; Mk 14:12-16; Mt 26:17-19) Lk 22:7 Then the first day for the feast of Unleavened Bread came, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us to eat."
9 They said to him, "Where do you want us to prepare it?" 10 He said to them, "Listen, go into the city, and when you have entered it, a certain man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters, 11 and tell the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, Mt 26:18 "My time is near. Lk 22:11 Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"' 12 Then he will show you a large furnished room upstairs. Make preparations for us there." Mk 14:16 So they left, went into the city, and found things just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
The "Upper Room" – Thursday Evening
The Meal Begins (Lk 22:14-18; Mk 14:17, 25; Mt 26:20, 29; Jn 13:1-2) Jn 13:1 Before the Passover feast, Jesus knew that his time had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now loved them to the very end. Lk 22:14 Now when the hour came Mk 14:17 and it was evening, Jesus came to the house Lk 22:14 and took his place at the table and the twelve apostles joined him.
Lk 22:15 Jesus said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you the truth that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine Mt 26:29 until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
a See Appendix VII. "Harmonizing Upper Room to Gethsemane."
Jn 13:2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, that he should betray Jesus.
Greatness = Serving & Loving (Lk 22:24-30; Jn 13:3-17, 34) Lk 22:24 A dispute started among them over which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 So Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called 'benefactors.' 26 Not so with you; instead the one who is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is seated at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
28 "You are the ones who have remained with me in my trials. 29 Thus I grant to you a kingdom, just as my Father granted to me, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."