Part Four - From Passover 29 AD To Passover 30 AD

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149. PETER WALKS ON THE WATER TO JESUS
MATTHEW 14

28. Then Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, bid me to come to You upon the waters.”

29. And He said, “Come.” And after climbing down from the ship, Peter walked upon the waters to go to Jesus.

30. But when he saw how strong the wind was, he became afraid; and as he was beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31. And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

152. THE LESSON FOR THE THIRD PASSOVER: JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE
JOHN 6

22. On the next day, the multitude standing on the other side of the sea, who had observed that no other small ship was there besides the one into which the disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not gone into the small ship with His disciples, but that His disciples had departed alone;

23. (But other small ships had come from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread, after the Lord had given thanks;)

24. Accordingly, when the multitude saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also went in the ships and came to Capernaum, looking for Jesus.

25. And after finding Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”

26. Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly I say to you, you do not seek Me because you saw the miracles, but because you ate the bread and were satisfied.

27. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give to you; for Him has God the Father sealed.”

28. Therefore, they said to Him, “What shall we do, in order that we ourselves may do the works of God?”

29. Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God: that you believe in Him Whom He has sent.”

30. Therefore, they said to Him, “What sign will You perform, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do?

31. Our fathers ate manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread to eat that came down from heaven.’ ” ^a

32. Then Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven; but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

33. For the bread of God is He Who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34. Therefore, they said to Him, “Lord, give this bread to us always.”

35. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; the one who comes to Me shall never hunger; and the one who believes in Me shall never thirst at any time.”

a - Ex. 16:4; Psa. 78:24

153. JESUS CAME TO DO THE FATHER’S WILLJOHN 6

36. “But as I said to you, you also have seen Me, yet you do not believe.

37. All whom the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will in no wise cast out.

38. For I did not come down from heaven to do My own will, but the will of Him Who sent Me.

39. And this is the will of the Father, Who sent Me: that of all whom He has given Me, I should not lose any, but should raise them up in the last day.

40. And this is the will of Him Who sent Me: that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

154. THE JEWS DID NOT BELIEVE JESUS IS THE TRUE BREAD FROM HEAVEN
JOHN 6

41. Then the Jews were complaining against Him, because He said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”

42. And they were saying, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? Why then does He say, ‘I came down from heaven’? ”

43. For this reason, Jesus answered them and said, “Do not be complaining among one another.”

155. A PERSON CAN COME TO JESUS ONLY AS THE FATHER DRAWS HIM
JOHN 6

44. “No one can come to Me unless the Father, Who sent Me, draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

45. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore, everyone who has heard from the Father, and has learned, comes to Me. ^a

46. No one has seen the Father except He Who is from God; He has seen the Father.

47. Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me has eternal life.”

a - Isa. 54:13

156. JESUS IS THE LIVING BREAD FROM HEAVEN—A TRUE CHRISTIAN MUST SYMBOLICALLY EAT HIS FLESH AND DRINK HIS BLOOD BY PARTAKING OF THE PASSOVER
JOHN 6

48. “I am the bread of life.

49. Your fathers ate manna in the desert, but they died.

50. This is the bread which comes down from heaven so that anyone may eat of it and not die.

51. I am the living bread, which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread that I will give is even My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

52. Because of this, the Jews were arguing with one another, saying, “How is He able to give us His flesh to eat?”

53. Therefore, Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you do not have life in yourselves.

54. The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up in the last day;

JOHN 6

55. For My flesh is truly food, and My blood is truly drink.

56. The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood is dwelling in Me, and I in him.

57. As the living Father has sent Me, and I live by the Father; so also the one who eats Me shall live by Me.

58. This is the bread which came down from heaven; not as your fathers ate manna, and died. The one who eats this bread shall live forever.”

59. These things He said in the synagogue as He was teaching in Capernaum.

157. MANY DISCIPLES LEAVE, AND FOLLOW HIM NO MORE
JOHN 6

60. Therefore, after hearing these words, many of His disciples said, “This is a hard saying. Who is able to hear it?”

61. But Jesus, knowing that His disciples were complaining about this, said to them, “Does this offend you?

62. What if you shall see the Son of man ascending up where He was before?

63. It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life.

64. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who were the ones that did not believe, and who would betray Him.

65. And He said, “For this reason, I have said to you, no one can come to Me unless it has been given to him from My Father.”

66. From that time, many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him.

67. Therefore, Jesus said to the twelve, “Are you also desiring to go away?”

68. Then Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life;

69. And we have believed and have known that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

70. Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you twelve, and one of you is the devil?”

71. Now He spoke of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son; for he was about to betray Him, being one of the twelve.

JOHN 7

1. After these things, Jesus was sojourning in Galilee, for He did not desire to travel in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.

162. JESUS RETURNS TO GALILEE THROUGH DECAPOLISAND HEALS A DEAF MAN
MARK 7

31. And after departing from the district of Tyre and Sidon, and passing through the middle of the borders of Decapolis, He again came to the Sea of Galilee.

32. Then they brought to Him a deaf man who spoke with difficulty, and they requested of Him that He lay His hands on him.

33. And after taking him apart from the multitude, He put His fingers into his ears; and then He spit on His finger and touched his tongue;

34. And after looking up to heaven, He groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha”; that is, “Be opened!”

35. And immediately his ears were opened, and the band of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.

36. Then He commanded them not to tell anyone. But although He had ordered them to keep quiet, they proclaimed it more and more.

37. For they were astonished above measure, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak.”

163. JESUS HEALS MANY IN GALILEE
MATTHEW 15

29. Now after leaving there, Jesus came toward the Sea of Galilee; and He went up into the mountain and sat there.

30. Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, the blind, the dumb, the maimed, and many others; and they laid them at the feet of Jesus, and He healed them;

31. So that the multitudes were amazed, when they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

167. JESUS HEALS A BLIND MAN AT BATHSAIDA
MARK 8

22. And He came to Bethsaida, and they brought to Him a blind man and besought Him that He might touch him.

23. Then He took hold of the blind man’s hand and led him out of the village, and He spit on his eyes and laid His hands on him, and then He asked him if he saw anything.

24. And when he looked up, he said, “I see men as trees walking.”

25. Then He again laid His hands on his eyes and made him look up. And he was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

26. And He sent him to his house, saying, “You must not enter the village, nor tell it to anyone in the village.”

169. JESUS DELEGATES BINDING AND LOOSINGAUTHORITY TO HIS APOSTLES
MATTHEW 16

19. And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you may bind on the earth will have already been bound in heaven; and whatever you may loose on the earth will have already been loosed in heaven.” ^a

20. Then He charged His disciples not to tell anyone that He was Jesus the Christ.

a - Isa. 22:22; Rev. 3:7-8

178. THE GREAT FEAST OF TABERNACLES IN JERUSALEM—JESUS COMMANDS HIS FAMILY TO GO UP TO THE FEAST
JOHN 7

2. Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was near. ^a

3. For this reason, His brothers said to Him, “Leave this place and go into Judea, so that Your disciples may see the works that You are doing;

4. Because no one does anything in secret, but seeks to be seen in public. If You do these things, reveal Yourself to the world.”

5. For neither did His brothers believe in Him.

6. Therefore, Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.

7. The world cannot hate you; but it hates Me because I testify concerning it, that its works are evil.”

a - Lev. 23:33-44

JOHN 7

8. “You go up to this feast. I am not going up to this feast now, for My time has not yet been fulfilled.”

179. JESUS GOES TO THE FEAST SECRETLY
JOHN 7

9. And after saying these things to them, He remained in Galilee.

10. But after His brothers had gone up, then Jesus also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

180. THE JEWS LOOK FOR JESUS AT THE FEAST
JOHN 7

11. As a result, the Jews were seeking Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?”

12. Now there was much debating about Him among the people. Some said, “He is a good Man.” But others said, “No, but He is deceiving the people.”

13. However, no one spoke publicly about Him for fear of the Jews.

181. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FEAST, JESUSSHOWS HIMSELF OPENLY AND TEACHES IN THE TEMPLE
JOHN 7

14. But then, about the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and was teaching.

15. And the Jews were amazed, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never been schooled?”

16. Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His Who sent Me.

17. If anyone desires to do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it is from God, or whether I speak from My own self.

18. The one who speaks of himself is seeking his own glory; but He Who seeks the glory of Him Who sent Him is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

19. Did not Moses give you the law, and not one of you is practicing the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”

20. The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”

21. Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you were all amazed.

22. Now then, Moses gave you circumcision—not that it was from Moses, but from the fathers—and on the Sabbath you circumcise a man.

23. If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with Me because I made a man entirely whole on the Sabbath?

24. Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

25. Then some of those from Jerusalem said, “Is not this the one Whom they seek to kill?

26. But look, He is speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to Him. Can it be that the authorities have recognized that this man truly is the Christ?

27. Now this man, we know where He comes from. But the Christ, whenever He may appear, no one knows where He comes from.”

28. Then Jesus spoke out, teaching in the temple and saying, “You know Me, and you also know where I come from; yet I have not come of Myself; but He Who sent Me is true, Whom you do not know.

29. But I know Him because I am from Him, and He sent Me.”

JOHN 7

30. Because of this saying, they were looking for a way to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him because His time had not yet come.

31. Then many of the people believed in Him, saying, “When the Christ comes, will He do more miracles than those that this Man has done?”

32. The Pharisees heard the crowds debating these things about Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to arrest Him.

182. LATER THE JEWS WOULD SEEK JESUS
JOHN 7

33. Then Jesus said to them, “I am with you yet a little while, and then I go to Him Who sent Me.

34. You shall seek Me, but shall not find Me; and where I am going, you are not able to come.”

35. Therefore, the Jews said among themselves, “Where is He about to go, that we shall not find Him? Is He about to go to the Diaspora among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?

36. What is this saying that He said, ‘You shall seek Me, but shall not find Me’; and, ‘Where I am going, you are not able to come’? ”

183. ON THE LAST GREAT DAY IN THE EVENING AS THE DAY BEGINS, JESUS TEACHES ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
JOHN 7

37. Now in the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and called out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

38. The one who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” ^a

39. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, which those who believed in Him would soon receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified.

a - Prov. 18:4; Rev. 22:1

184. A DISPUTE ABOUT JESUS BEING THE CHRIST
JOHN 7

40. Now after hearing these words, many of the people said, “This is truly the Prophet.”

41. Others said, “This is the Christ.” But others said, “Does the Christ then come out of Galilee?

42. Does not the scripture say that the Christ comes from the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the town where David was?” ^a

43. Therefore, a division arose among the people because of Him.

44. Now some of them desired to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

45. As a result, when the officers came to the chief priests and the Pharisees, they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?”

46. The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken like this man.”

47. Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also being deceived?

48. Has even one of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in Him?

49. But these people who do not know the law are accursed.”

50. Then Nicodemus (being one of them, the one who came to Him by night) said to them,

51. “Does our law judge any man without first hearing from him in person, and knowing what he does?”

52. They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and see, for no prophet has ever come out of Galilee.”

53. And each one went to his house.

a - II Sam. 7:12-16; Isa. 11:1; Mic. 5:2

185. JESUS TEACHES AT THE TEMPLE ON THEDAY PORTION OF THE LAST GREAT DAY
JOHN 8

1. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

2. And at dawn He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.

186. A WOMAN CAUGHT IN AN ACT OF ADULTRY IS AN EXAMPLE OF JUDGMENT
JOHN 8

3. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought to Him a woman who had been taken in adultery; and after setting her in the center,

4. They said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.

5. And in the law, Moses commanded us that those who commit such a sin should be stoned. ^a Therefore, what do You say?”

6. Now they said this to tempt Him, so that they might have cause to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger.

7. And as they continued to ask Him, He lifted Himself up and said to them, “Let the sinless one among you cast the first stone at her.”

8. And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9. But after hearing this, they were convicted each by his own conscience, and went out one by one, beginning with the older ones until the last. And Jesus was left alone, with the woman standing in the center.

a - Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22-24

187. JESUS LETS THE WOMAN GO WITH A WARNING TO SIN NO MORE
JOHN 8

10. And when Jesus lifted Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Did anyone condemn you?”

11. And she said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.”

188. PHARISEES LAUNCH A VERBAL ATTACK AGAINST JESUS
JOHN 8

12. Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world; the one who follows Me shall never walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

13. Therefore, the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.”

14. Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, because I know where I have come from and where I am going. But you do not know where I come from and where I go.

15. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.

16. Yet if I do judge, My judgment is true, for I am not alone; but I and the Father Who sent Me.

17. And it is written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. ^a

18. I am One Who bears witness of Myself, and the Father, Who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

19. Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would also have known My Father.”

20. Jesus spoke these words in the treasury while teaching in the temple; but no one arrested Him because His time had not yet come.

a - Deut. 17:6; 19:15

189. PHARISEES ARE OF THIS WORLD AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND JESUS’ WORDS
JOHN 8

21. Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away; and you shall seek Me, but you shall die in your sin. Where I am going, you are not able to come.”

22. Therefore, the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself? Is that why He says, ‘Where I am going, you are not able to come’? ”

23. And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

24. That is why I said to you that you shall die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I AM, you shall die in your sins.”

25. Then they said to Him, “Who are You?” And Jesus said to them, “The One that I said to you from the beginning.

26. I have many things to say and to judge concerning you; but He Who sent Me is true, and what I have heard from Him, these things I speak to the world.”

27. But they did not know that He was speaking to them of the Father.

28. Then Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you yourselves shall know that I AM, and that I do nothing of Myself. But as the Father taught Me, these things I speak.

29. And He Who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone because I always do the things that please Him.”

190. OBEYING THE TRUTH MAKES YOU FREE FROM SIN
JOHN 8

30. As He spoke these things, many believed in Him.

31. Therefore, Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.

32. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

33. They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s seed, and have never been in bondage to anyone. What do You mean by saying, ‘You shall become free’?”

34. Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a servant of sin.

35. And the servant does not live in the house forever; but the Son lives forever.

36. Therefore, if the Son shall set you free, you shall truly be free.”

191. PHARISEES ARE OF THEIR SPIRITUAL FATHER, THE DEVIL
JOHN 8

37. “I know that you are Abraham’s seed; but you are seeking to kill Me, because My words do not enter into your minds.

38. I speak the things that I have seen from My Father, and you do the things that you have seen from your father.”

39. They answered and said to Him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. ^a

40. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has spoken the truth to you, which I have heard from God; Abraham did not do this.

41. You are doing the works of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We have not been born of fornication. We have one Father, and that is God.”

42. Therefore, Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, because I proceeded forth and came from God. For I have not come of Myself, but He sent Me.

43. Why don’t you understand My speech? Because you cannot bear to hear My words.”

a - Gen. 12:1-4; 17:1-8; 26:5

JOHN 8

44. “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you desire to practice. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has not stood in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he is speaking from his own self; for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45. And because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me.

46. Which one of you can convict Me of sin? But if I speak the truth, why don’t you believe Me?

47. The one who is of God hears the words of God. For this reason you do not hear, because you are not of God.”

48. Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Are we not right in saying that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

49. Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon. But I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.

50. Yet I do not seek My own glory; there is One Who seeks and judges.

51. Truly, truly I say to you, if anyone keeps My words, he shall not see death forever.”

52. Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham and the prophets died; yet You say, ‘If anyone keeps My words, he shall not taste of death forever.’

53. Are You greater than our father Abraham who died? And the prophets, who died? Whom do You make Yourself to be?”

54. Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing. It is My Father Who glorifies Me, of Whom you say that He is your God.

55. Yet you have not known Him; but I know Him. And if I say that I do not know Him, I shall be a liar, like you. But I know Him, and I keep His Word.

56. Abraham your father was overjoyed to see My day; and he saw it, and rejoiced.”

57. Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not even fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?”

58. Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.”

192. JESUS ESCAPES FROM BEING STONED
JOHN 8

59. Then they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus concealed Himself and went out of the temple, passing through the midst of them, and in this manner departed.

193. JESUS HEALS A MAN WHO WAS BORN BLIND
JOHN 9

1. Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.

2. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3. Jesus answered, “Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; rather, this blindness came so that the works of God might be manifested in him.

4. I must work the works of Him Who sent Me while it is still day. When the night comes, no one is able to work.

5. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6. After saying these things, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to the eyes of the blind man.

7. And He said to him, “Go and wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is, by interpretation, “Sent”). Then he went and washed, and came from there seeing.

8. Therefore, the neighbors and those who had seen him before, and knew that he was blind, said, “Isn’t he the one who was sitting and begging?”

9. Some said, “It is he.” But others said, “He is like him.” He said, “I am the one.”

10. Then they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”

JOHN 9

11. He answered and said, “A man called Jesus made clay, and applied it to my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash’; and after I went and washed, I received sight.”

12. Then they said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.”

13. They brought him who was once blind to the Pharisees.

14. Now it was the Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.

15. Therefore, the Pharisees in turn also asked him how he had received sight. And he said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed; and now I see.”

16. Then some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God because He does not keep the Sabbath.” * Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such miracles?” And there was a division among them.

17. They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him since He opened your eyes?” And he said, “He is a prophet.”

18. However, the Jews did not believe this about him, that he was blind and had received sight, until they called the parents of the one who had received sight.

19. And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”

20. His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind.

21. But how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.”

22. His parents said these things because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed among themselves that if anyone confessed Him to be the Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.

23. For this reason, his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24. Therefore, they called a second time for the man who had been born blind, and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.”

25. Then he answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know, that I was blind, and now I see.”

26. And they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?”

27. He answered them, “I have already told you, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you desire to become His disciples, too?”

28. Then they railed at him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples.

29. We know that God spoke to Moses. As for this man, we do not know where He has come from.”

30. The man answered and said to them, “This is truly an amazing thing, that you do not know where He has come from, yet He has opened my eyes.

31. Now we know that God does not hear sinners. But if anyone is God-fearing and is doing His will, He hears him.

32. From the beginning of the world it has never been heard of that anyone has opened the eyes of one who was born blind.

33. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.”

34. They answered and said to him, “You were born wholly in sin, and you are teaching us?” And they cast him out.

35. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”

36. He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?”

_________________________
*The Pharisees were judging Jesus’ action of making the clay on the Sabbath as a sin. Because in their view He was laboring, they condemned Jesus and claimed that He did not keep the Sabbath. But Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath day and never broke the command to refrain from servile work on the Sabbath. The records of the New Testament make it explicitly clear that Jesus never sinned by breaking any of the Ten Commandments, including the Fourth Commandment, which sanctifies the Sabbath day.

JOHN 9

37. And Jesus said to him, “You have seen Him, and He is the one Who is even now speaking to you.”

38. Then he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him.

39. And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world so that those who do not see might see, and those who see might become blind.”

40. And those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things; and they said to Him, “Are we also blind?”

41. Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore, your sin remains.”

194. JESUS IS THE ONLY TRUE SHEPHERD
JOHN 10

1. “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who does not enter the sheepfold through the door, but climbs up some other way, that one is a thief and a robber.

2. But the one who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

4. When he brings the sheep out, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

5. But they will never follow a stranger for they will flee from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

6. Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they did not understand what He was saying to them.

7. Therefore, Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

8. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.

9. I am the door. If anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and shall find pasture.

10. The thief does not come except to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly.

11. I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

12. But the one who is a hireling, and who is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep, and flees. And the wolf seizes the sheep and scatters them.

13. Now the hireling flees because he is a hireling and has no concern for the sheep.

14. I am the good Shepherd, and I know those who are Mine, and am known of those who are Mine.

15. Just as the Father knows Me, I also know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

16. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring those also, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd. ^a

17. On account of this, the Father loves Me: because I lay down My life, that I may receive it back again.

18. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have authority to lay it down and authority to receive it back again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

19. Therefore, there was a division again among the Jews because of these words.

20. And many of them said, “He has a demon and is crazy. Why do you listen to Him?”

21. Others said, “These sayings are not those of one who is possessed by a demon. Does a demon have the power to open the eyes of the blind?”

a - Matt. 10:6; II Kings 17:23; Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24

195. BACK IN CAPERNAUM: JESUS PAYS TAXESWITH A COIN FROM A FISH
MATTHEW 17

24. Now after coming to Capernaum, those who received the tribute money came to Peter and said, “Does not your Master pay tribute?”

25. And he said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus, anticipating his question, said, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive custom or tribute? From their own children, or from strangers?”

26. Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the children are indeed free.

27. Nevertheless, so that we may not offend them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you have opened its mouth, you shall find a coin. Take that, and give it to them for Me and you.”

199. WHAT TO DO WHEN A BROTHER SINS AGAINST A BROTHER
MATTHEW 18

15. So then, if your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault between you and him alone. If he is willing to hear you, you have gained your brother.

16. But if he will not listen, take with you one or two others, so that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. ^a

17. And if he fails to listen to them, tell it to the church. But if he also fails to listen to the church, let him be to you as the heathen and the tax collector.

a - Deut. 19:15

200. JESUS GIVES AUTHORITY TO BIND AND LOOSE TO SETTLE DISPUTES
MATTHEW 18

18. “Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on the earth will have already been bound in heaven; and whatever you shall loose on the earth will have already been loosed in heaven.

19. Again I say to you, that if two of you on earth shall agree concerning any matter that they wish to request, it shall be done for them by My Father, Who is in heaven.

20. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

201. THE LESSON OF FORGIVENESS:FORGIVE UNTIL 70 x 7 (SYMBOLIC OF NO LIMITATION)
MATTHEW 18

21. Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Until seven times?”

22. Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you until seven times, but until seventy times seven.”

202. THE PARABLE OF THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT
MATTHEW 18

23. “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is compared to a man, a certain king, who would take account with his servants.

24. And after he began to reckon, there was brought to him one debtor who owed him ten thousand talents.

25. But since he did not have anything to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26. Because of this, the servant fell down and worshiped him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’

27. And being moved with compassion, the lord of that servant released him, and forgave him the debt.

MATTHEW 18

28. Then that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him a hundred silver coins; and after seizing him, he choked him, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe.’

29. As a result, his fellow servant fell down at his feet and pleaded with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’

30. But he would not listen; instead, he went and cast him into prison, until he should pay the amount that he owed.

31. Now when his fellow servants saw the things that had taken place, they were greatly distressed; and they went to their lord and related all that had taken place.

32. Then his lord called him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you implored me.

33. Were you not also obligated to have compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had compassion on you?’

34. And in anger, his lord delivered him up to the tormentors, until he should pay all that he owed to him.

35. Likewise shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother’s offenses from the heart.”

204. LET THE DEAD BURY THE DEAD—PUT YOUR HAND TO THE PLOW AND DON’T LOOK BACK

LUKE 9

57. Now it came to pass that as they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You may go, Lord.”

58. But Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of heaven have nests; but the Son of man does not have any place to lay His head.”

59. Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” And he said, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”

60. But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”

61. And another also said, “I will follow You, Lord, but allow me first to bid farewell to those who are at my house.”

62. But Jesus said to him, “No one who sets his hand to the plow, and looks back at the things behind, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

205. JESUS APPOINTS SEVENTY MORE TO PREPARE THE WAYTHROUGH EVERY VILLAGE AND CITY
LUKE 10

1. Now after these things, the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them two by two before His face, into every city and place where He Himself was about to come.

2. And so He said to them, “The harvest is indeed great, but the workmen are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest that He may send out workmen into His harvest.

3. Go forth! Behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

4. Carry no purse, nor provision bag, nor sandals, and do not salute anyone on the way.

5. But whatever house you may enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’

6. And if indeed a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it; but if, on the other hand, it be not so, your peace shall return to you.

7. And lodge in the same house, eating and drinking that which is supplied by them; for the workman is worthy of his hire. Do not move from house to house.

8. And whatever city you may enter, and they receive you, eat the things set before you,

9. And heal the sick in it, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.’

10. But whatever city you may enter, and they do not receive you, go into the streets and say,

11. ‘Even the dust of your city, which clings to us, we wipe off against you; yet know this, that the kingdom of God has drawn near to you.’

12. For I tell you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom in that day than for that city. ^a

13. Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which have been taking place in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.

15. And you, Capernaum, who have been lifted up to heaven, shall be brought down to the grave.

16. The one who hears you hears Me; and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and the one who rejects Me rejects Him Who sent Me.”

a - Gen. 19:24

206. THE SEVENTY RETURN JOYOUSLY BECAUSE THEDEMONS ARE SUBJECT TO THEM THROUGH JESUS’ NAME
LUKE 10

17. Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us through Your name.”

18. And He said to them, “I beheld Satan fall as lightning from heaven.

19. Behold, I give you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you in any way.

20. Yet do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

207. THE DISCIPLES ARE BLESSED FORHEARING AND SEEING GOD’S WAY
LUKE 10

21. In the same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You did hide these things from the wise and intelligent, and did reveal them to babes. Yes, Father, for it was well pleasing in Your sight to do so.”

22. Then He turned to the disciples and said, “All things were delivered to Me by My Father; and no one knows Who the Son is, except the Father; and Who the Father is, except the Son, and the one to whom the Son personally chooses to reveal Him.”

23. And He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that have seen the things that you see.

24. For I tell you, many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things that you hear, and have not heard them.”

208. THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN
LUKE 10

25. Now a certain doctor of the law suddenly stood up, tempting Him and saying, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

26. And He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”

27. Then he answered and said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” ^a

28. And He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you shall live.”

29. But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30. And taking it up, Jesus said, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and was encircled by thieves; and after they had stripped him of his goods and inflicted himwith wounds, they went away, leaving him half dead.

31. Now by coincidence, a certain priest went down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

32. And in like manner also, a Levite, when he was at the place, came and saw him, and passed by on the opposite side.

33. But a certain Samaritan, as he was journeying, came to him; and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion.

34. And he went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he put him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35. And when he left on the next day, he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him, and whatever you may expend above this, I will repay you when I come back.’

a - Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18

LUKE 10

36. Therefore, which of these three seems to you to have been a neighbor of him who fell among the thieves?”

37. And he said, “The one who showed compassion toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “You go and do likewise.”

209. MARTHA FRETS AT MARY
LUKE 10

38. Now it came to pass as they were going that He came into a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.

39. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat down at Jesus’ feet and was listening to His message.

40. But Martha was distracted because of much serving; and she came to Jesus and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Now then, speak to her, so that she will help me.”

41. Then Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are full of care and troubled about many things;

42. But there is one need above all else; and Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken from her.”

210. JESUS TEACHES THE DISCIPLES HOW TO PRAY
LUKE 11

1. Now it came to pass that as He was praying in a certain place, when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us how to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

2. And He said to them, “When you pray, say, ‘Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name; Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as in heaven, so also upon the earth.

3. Give us our bread as needed day by day;

4. And forgive us our sins, as we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.’ ”

211. THE FATHER GIVES THE HOLY SPIRITTO THOSE WHO ASK HIM
LUKE 11

5. Then He said to them, “Who among you has a friend that he shall go to at midnight, and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves;

6. For a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I do not have anything to set before him’;

7. And from within he shall answer, saying, ‘Do not disturb me. The door has already been shut, and my children are in bed with me. I cannot get up to give to you.’

8. I say to you, even if he will not rise to give to him on account of being his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as much as he needs.

9. And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.

10. For everyone who asks receives; and the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, it shall be opened.

11. But which of you who is a father, if a son shall ask for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent instead of a fish?

12. Or if he shall ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

13. Therefore if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father Who is in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

212. JESUS IS ACCUSED OF CASTING OUT DEMONSTHROUGH THE POWER OF BEELZEBUB
LUKE 11

14. Now He was casting out a demon, and it was dumb; but it came to pass that when the demon had gone out, the one who had been dumb spoke. And the multitudes were amazed.

15. But some of them said, “He is casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, prince of the demons.”

16. And others, tempting Him, were seeking a sign from heaven.

17. But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falls.

18. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? Considernow, because you are saying that I cast out demons by Beelzebub.

19. And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Because of this, they shall be your judges.

20. But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

21. When a strong man who is armed guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe.

22. But when a stronger man than he comes upon him, he overcomes him, and takes away his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoil.

23. The one who is not with Me is against Me, and the one who does not gather with Me scatters.”

213. DEMON REPOSSESSION SEVEN TIMES WORSE
LUKE 11

24. “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it goes through waterless places, seeking rest; and when it does not find any, it says, ‘I will return to the house from which I came out.’

25. And when it comes, it finds it swept and adorned.

26. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

214. A BLESSING FOR THOSE WHO HEARAND KEEP GOD’S WORD
LUKE 11

27. And it came to pass that as He spoke these things, a certain woman lifted up her voice from the multitude and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts that You sucked.”

28. And He said, “Yes, rather, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.”

215. THE SIGN OF JONAH WOULD BE THE ONLY SIGN GIVEN
LUKE 11

29. Now when the multitudes had crowded around even more, He began to say, “This is an evil generation, seeking after a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. ^a

30. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, in the same way also shall the Son of man be asign to this generation.

31. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here. ^b

32. The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s proclamation; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.” ^c

a - Jonah 1:17; b - I Kings 10:1-13; II Chron. 9:1-12; c - Jonah 3:5-10

216. YOU MUST LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
LUKE 11

33. “Now no one who lights a lamp sets it in a secret place or under a bushelbasket, but on a lampstand, so that those who are entering may see the light.

34. The light of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is without guile, your whole body is light; but when your eye is evil, your body also is dark.

35. Therefore, beware that the light that is in you is not darkness.

36. Now then, if your whole body is light, not having any part dark, it shall be full of light, as when a lamp shining brightly gives you light.”

217. A WARNING TO THE PHARISEES BECAUSE OF THEIR SINS
LUKE 11

37. Now while He was speaking, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him; and He went in and sat down.

38. But the Pharisee, seeing this, wondered why He had not first washed before dinner.

39. Then the Lord said to him, “Now, you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are full of greediness and wickedness.

40. Fools, did not He Who made the outside also make the inside?

41. Rather, give alms from the things that are within; and behold, all things are clean to you.

42. But woe to you, Pharisees! For you pay tithes ^a of mint and rue and every herb, but you pass over the judgment and the love of God. ^b It is obligatory for you to do these things, and not to set aside those lesser things.

43. Woe to you, Pharisees! For you love the chief seat in the synagogues and the salutations in the marketplaces.

44. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are as unseen tombs, and men who walk over them do not know it.”

a - Num. 18:8, 21-24; b - II Chron. 19:5-7; Deut. 16:18-20

218. A WARNING TO THE LAWYERS BECAUSE OF THEIR SINS
LUKE 11

45. And one of the doctors of the law answered and said to Him, “Teacher, by saying these things You are also insulting us.”

46. And He said, “Woe to you also, doctors of the law! For you weigh men down with burdens heavy to bear, but you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.

47. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, whom your fathers killed.

48. Therefore, you are bearing witness and consenting to the works of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs.

49. Because of this, the wisdom of God also said, ‘I will send prophets and apostles to them; and some of them they shall kill, and others they shall drive out

50. So that the blood of all the prophets, poured out from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation

51. From the blood of Abel ^a to the blood of Zacharias, ^b who perished between the altar and the house of God.’ Yes, I tell you, it shall be required of this generation.

52. Woe to you, doctors of the law! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you prevented those who were entering.”

a - Gen. 4:8; b - II Chron. 24:20-22

219. THE PHARISEES AND SCRIBES SEEK TO MAKEAN ACCUSATION AGAINST JESUS
LUKE 11

53. And as He was saying these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began vehemently to press and provoke Him to speak about many things,

54. While they kept a close watch on Him, seeking to catch something out of His mouth so that they might accuse Him.

220. THE HYPOCRISY OF THE PHARISEES TO BEEXPOSED AND JUDGED
LUKE 12

1. During this time, an innumerable multitude was gathering, crowding so close together that they were stepping on one another. First of all He began to speak to His disciples, saying, “Guard yourselves from the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy;

2. For there is nothing covered that shall not be uncovered, nor hidden that shall not be known.

3. Therefore, whatever you have spoken in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what you have spoken in the ear in closed rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.” ^a

a - Isa. 58:1

221. DON’T FEAR ANYONE WHO CAN KILL YOU,BUT FEAR GOD WHO CAN TAKE AWAY YOUR LIFE FOREVER
LUKE 12

4. “But I tell you, My friends, you should not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that are not able to do anything more.

5. But I will show you Whom you should fear. Fear Him Who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into the fire of Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!

6. Are not five sparrows sold for two coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.

7. But even the hairs of your head have all been numbered. Therefore, do not be afraid; you are of greater value than many sparrows.”

222. THE UNPARDONABLE SIN IS BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT
LUKE 12

8. “And I tell you, everyone who shall confess Me before men shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God;

9. But the one who has denied Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

10. And everyone who shall say a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but the one who has blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven.”

223. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH YOUDURING TIME OF PERSECUTION
LUKE 12

11. “But when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how or what you should reply in defense, or what you should say;

12. For the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that same hour what needs to be said.”

224. LIFE IS MORE THAN PHYSICAL POSSESSIONS ALONE
LUKE 12

13. Then one from the multitude said to Him, “Master, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14. But He said to him, “Man, who has appointed Me a judge or a divider over you?”

15. And He said to them, “Watch out, and keep yourselves from covetousness, for no one’s life is in the abundance of the things that he possesses.”

16. Then He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly.

17. And he was reasoning within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to lay up my fruit?’

18. And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my granaries and build greater ones, and there will I lay up all my produce and my good things.

19. Then I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many good things laid up for many years; take your rest, eat, drink, and be merry.” ’

20. But God said to him, ‘Fool, this night your soul shall be required of you; and to whom will you leave what you have prepared for yourself?’

21. So shall it be to the one who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

225. SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD FIRST,AND YOU WILL HAVE SUFFICIENT
LUKE 12

22. And He said to His disciples, “Because of this, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat; nor about your body, what you shall put on.

23. The life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

24. Consider the ravens; for they do not sow, nor reap; neither have they a storehouse or granary; but God feeds them. Of how much greater value are you than the birds?

25. And which one of you, by taking careful thought, has the power to add one cubit to his stature?

26. Therefore, if you do not have the power to do even the least, why are you anxious about the rest?

27. Consider the lilies, how they grow; they do not labor, nor do they spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.

28. But if God so adorns the grass that today is in the field, and tomorrow is cast into an oven, how much more shall He clothe you, O you of little faith?

29. Then do not be seeking what you shall eat or what you shall drink, and do not be anxious.

30. For all the nations of the world seek after these things; and your Father knows that you have need of these things.

31. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

32. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father delights in giving you the kingdom.”

226. WHERE YOUR HEART IS, THERE WILLYOUR TREASURE BE ALSO
LUKE 12

33. “Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make for yourselves purses that do not grow old, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief can come near, and no moth can destroy.

34. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

227. ALWAYS BE READY AND WATCHING FORCHRIST’S RETURN
LUKE 12

35. “Let your loins be girded about and your lamps burning,

36. And you yourselves be like men who are waiting for their lord, whenever he shall return from the wedding feast; so that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.

37. Blessed are those servants whom the lord, when he comes, shall find watching. Truly I say to you, he will gird himself, and will make them sit down, and will come and serve them.

38. And if he comes in the second watch, or comes in the third watch, and finds them watching, blessed are those servants.

39. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

40. Now you, therefore, be ready; for the Son of man is coming in an hour that you do not think.”

41. Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You speaking this parable to us only, or also to all?”

42. And the Lord said, “Who then is the wise and faithful steward, whom the lord shall put in charge of his household, to give to each one the portion of food in season?

43. Blessed is that servant whom the lord, when he comes, shall find so doing.

44. Of a truth, I tell you, he will set him over all his possessions.

45. But if that servant shall say in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’ and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to be gluttonous and become drunk,

46. The lord of that servant will come in a day that he does not expect, and in an hour that he does not know, and will cut him asunder, and will appoint his portion with the unbelievers.

47. And that servant who knew the will of his lord, but did not prepare, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes;

48. But the one who did not know, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For to whomever much has been given, from him shall much be required; and to whom much has been committed, from him they will demand the more.”

228. JESUS DID NOT COME TO BRING PEACE, BUT DIVISION
LUKE 12

49. “I came to cast fire into the earth, and what will I, if it already be kindled?

50. For I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how burdened I am until it be accomplished!

51. Do you think that I came to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division;

52. Because from this time forward there shall be five in one house divided, three against two and two against three.

53. Father shall be divided against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” ^a

a - Mic. 7:6

229. THE MULTITUDES CAN DISCERN THE WEATHER,BUT NOT THE TIMES
LUKE 12

54. Then He also said to the multitudes, “When you see a cloud rising up from the west, immediately you say, ‘A rainstorm is coming.’ And so it happens.

55. And when a south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It will be hot.’ And it happens.

56. Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the earth and the sky; how then do you not discern this time?

57. And why even among yourselves do you not judge what is right?”

230. AGREE WITH YOUR ADVERSARY
LUKE 12

58. “For as you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, be diligent to settle with him while you are on the way; lest he drag you off to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer cast you into prison.

59. I tell you, there is no way that you shall come out of there until you have paid the very last coin.”

231. YOU MUST REPENT OF YOUR SINS, OR PERISH
LUKE 13

1. Now at the same time, there were present some who were telling Him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

2. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were sinners above all Galileans, because they suffered such things?

3. No, I tell you; but if you do not repent, you shall all likewise perish.

4. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, do you suppose that these were debtors above all men who dwelt in Jerusalem?

5. No, I tell you; but if you do not repent, you shall all likewise perish.”

232. THE PARABLE OF THE UNFRUITFUL FIG TREE
LUKE 13

6. And He spoke this parable: “A certain man had planted a fig tree in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it, but he did not find any.

7. Then he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look here! For three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and have not found any. Cut it down. Why should it continue to waste space in the ground?’

8. But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it and put in manure,

9. And see if in fact it will bear fruit; but if not, after that you shall cut it down.’ ”

233. JESUS HEALS A WOMAN OF AN 18-YEAR INFIRMITY ON A SABBATH
LUKE 13

10. Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on one of the Sabbaths;

11. And lo, there was a woman who had been afflicted with a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years, and she was bent over and unable to straighten herself up.

12. And when He saw her, Jesus called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you have been loosed from your infirmity.”

13. Then He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.

14. But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, and said to the people, “There are six days in which men are obligated to work; therefore, during those days come and be healed, but not on the Sabbath day.”

15. Therefore, the Lord answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to drink?

16. And is it not just as necessary for this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo, eighteen years, to be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”

17. And after He said these things, all those who opposed Him were ashamed; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were being done by Him.

234. THE PARABLES OF THE MUSTARD SEED AND HIDDEN LEAVEN
LUKE 13

18. Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

19. It is like a tiny mustard seed, which a man took and cast into his garden; and it grew and developed into a great tree, and the birds of heaven roosted in its branches.”

20. And again He said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

21. It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour until all was leavened.”

235. JESUS WENT CITY BY CITY AND VILLAGE BY VILLAGE ON HIS WAY TO JERUSALEM
LUKE 13

22. Now He was going through the cities and villages teaching, while making progress toward Jerusalem.

236. ENTER IN THROUGH THE NARROW GATEOR YOU WILL BE REJECTED BY GOD
LUKE 13

23. And one said to Him, “Lord, are those who are being saved few?” Then He said to them,

24. “Strive with your whole being to enter in through the narrow gate; for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, but shall not be able.

25. Once the Master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside the door and knock, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us’; then shall He answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you or where you are from.’

26. And you shall begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You have taught in our streets.’

27. And He shall say, ‘I tell you, I do not know you or where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of unrighteousness.’ ^a

28. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are cast out.

29. Then they shall come from the east and the west, and from the north and the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. ^b

30. And behold, there are the last who shall be first, and the first who shall be last.”

a - Psa. 6:8 b - Psa. 107:3

237. JESUS PROPHESIES HE WILL DIE LATER IN JERUSALEM
LUKE 13

31. On the same day certain Pharisees came to Him, saying, “Go out and depart from this place because Herod desires to kill You.”

32. And He said to them, “Go and say to that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and complete healings today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected;

33. But it is necessary for Me to proceed today and tomorrow and the following day; because it is not possible for a prophet to perish outside of Jerusalem.’

34. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who have been sent to you; how often would I have gathered your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you refused!

35. Behold, your house is left to you desolate. And truly I say to you, you shall not see Me at all until the time comes that you say, ‘Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”

238. IN JERUSALEM AT THE FEAST OF DEDICATION,JESUS ESCAPES ANOTHER STONING
JOHN 10

22. Now it was winter, and the feast of dedication was taking place at Jerusalem.

23. And Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

24. Then the Jews encircled Him and said to Him, “How long are You going to hold us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

25. Jesus answered them, “I have told you, but you do not believe. The works that I am doing in My Father’s name, these bear witness of Me.

26. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

JOHN 10

27. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

28. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; and no one shall take them out of My hand.

29. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one has the power to seize them from My Father’s hand.

30. I and the Father are one.”

31. Then the Jews again picked up stones so that they might stone Him.

32. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have showed you from My Father. For which of them are you about to stone Me?”

33. The Jews answered Him, saying, “We will not stone You for a good work, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a man, are making Yourself God.” ^a

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 Scriptures cannot be broken),

36. Why do you say of Him Whom the Father has 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, even if you do not believe Me, believe the works; so that you may perceive and may believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”

39. Then they again sought to take Him; but He escaped out of their hands,

a - Psa. 82:6

239. JESUS LEAVES JERUSALEM ANDRETURNS AGAIN TO THE AREA BEYOND JORDAN
JOHN 10

40. And departed again beyond Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing; and He remained there.

41. And many came to Him and said, “John did not do even one miracle, but everything that John said concerning this Man is true.”

42. And many believed in Him there.

240. JESUS HEALS A MAN OF DROPSY ATA PHARISEE’S HOUSE ON A SABBATH
LUKE 14

1. Now it came to pass, when He went into a house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, that they were watching Him.

2. And behold, there was a certain man who had dropsy standing in front of Him.

3. Then Jesus answered and spoke to the doctors of the law and to the Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

4. But they were silent. And after taking hold of him, He healed him and then let him go.

5. And He answered and said to them, “Who among you shall have a donkey or an ox fall into a pit, and will not immediately pull it out on the Sabbath day?”

6. But again, they were not able to answer Him concerning these things.

241. THOSE WHO EXALT THEMSELVES SHALL BE ABASED
LUKE 14

7. Then, observing how those who were invited were choosing out the chief places, He spoke a parable to them, saying,
LUKE 14

8. “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit in the chief place, lest someone more honorable than you has been invited by him.

9. For the one who invited you and him shall come to you and say, ‘Give place to this one,’ and then shall you begin with shame to take the last place.

10. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the last place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, come up higher.’ Then shall you have honor in the presence of those who are sitting at the table with you.

11. For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and the one who humbles himself shall be exalted.”

242. PARABLE OF GOD’S GREAT SUPPER
LUKE 14

12. And He also said to him who had invited Him, “When you make a dinner or supper, do not call your friends, nor your brethren, nor your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and a recompense be made to you.

13. But when you make a feast, call the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind;

14. And you shall be blessed, for they do not have the means to repay you. But you shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”

15. Then one of those who sat at the table with Him, after hearing these things, said to Him, “Blessed is the one who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.”

16. But He said to him, “A certain man made a great supper, and invited many.

17. And he sent his servants at supper time to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

18. But everyone with one consent began to excuse himself. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go out to see it; I beg you to have me excused.’

19. And another said, ‘I have bought five pairs of oxen, and I am going to try them out; I beg you to have me excused.’

20. And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and because of this I am unable to come.’

21. And that servant came and reported these things to his lord. Then the master of the house was angry; and he said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind.’

22. And the servant said, ‘Sir, it has been done as you commanded, and there is still room.’

23. Then the lord said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.

24. For I tell you, not one of those men who were invited shall taste of my supper.’ ”

243. EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO BE A CHRISTIANMUST COUNT THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST
LUKE 14

25. And great multitudes were going with Him; and He turned and said to them,

26. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers and sisters, and, in addition, his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

27. And whoever does not carry his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple;

LUKE 14

28. For which one of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has sufficient for its completion;

29. Lest perhaps, after he has laid its 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, when he goes out to engage another king in war, does not first sit down and take counsel, whether he will be able with ten thousand to meet him who is coming against him with twenty thousand?

32. But if not, while his enemy is still far off, he sends ambassadors and desires the terms for peace.

33. In the same way also, each one of you who does not forsake all that he possesses cannot be My disciple.

34. Salt is good; but if the salt becomes tasteless, with what shall it be seasoned?

35. It is fit neither for the land, nor for the manure; but they cast it out. The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

244. THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP THAT IS FOUND
LUKE 15

1. Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were drawing near to hear Him;

2. And the Pharisees and the scribes criticized Him, saying, “This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3. Then He spoke this parable to them, saying,

4. “Which man of you who has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost, searching until he finds it?

5. And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing;

6. And after coming to his house, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’

7. I tell you that likewise, there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance.

245. THE PARABLE OF A LOST COIN THAT IS FOUND
LUKE 15

8. Or what woman who has ten coins, if she should lose one, does not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search diligently until she finds it?

9. And after finding it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I lost.’

10. I tell you that in like manner, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

246. THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON
LUKE 15

11. Then He said, “A certain man had two sons;

12. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me that portion of the property which falls to me.’ And he divided to them his living.

13. And not many days after, the younger son gathered everything together and departed into a distant country. And there he wasted all his substance, living in debauchery.

14. But after he had spent everything, there arose a severe famine throughout that country, and he began to be in need.

LUKE 15

15. Then he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16. And he was longing to fill his stomach with the husks that the swine were eating, but no one gave anything to him.

17. And when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have an abundance of bread, and I am dying of hunger?

18. I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;

19. And I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired servants.” ’

20. And he arose and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran and embraced him, and ardently kissed him.

21. And his son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22. But the father said to his servant, ‘Bring out a robe, the best robe, and clothe him, and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet;

23. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.

24. For this my son was dead, but is alive again; and he was lost, but is found.’ And they began to be merry.

25. But his elder son was in a field; and when he was coming back, and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.

26. And after calling one of the servants nearby, he inquired what these things might be.

27. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come home, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him safe and well.’

28. Then he was angry and would not go in. As a result, his father came out and pleaded with him.

29. But he answered and said to his father, ‘Behold, I have served you so many years, and never did I transgress your commandment; yet you never gave me a kid, so 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 the fattened calf for him.’

31. Then he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

32. But it was fitting to make merry and rejoice because your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, but is found.’ ”

247. THE PARABLE OF THE UNJUST STEWARD
LUKE 16

1. And He also said to His disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and he was accused of wasting his master’s goods.

2. And after calling him, he said to him, ‘What is this I hear concerning you? Render an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’

3. Now the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do, for my lord is taking away the stewardship from me? I am not able to dig; I am ashamed to beg.

4. I know what I will do, that, when I have been removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’

5. And after calling each one of his lord’s debtors to him, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my lord?’

LUKE 16

6. And he said, ‘A hundred baths of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down immediately and write fifty.’

7. Then to another he said, ‘And how much do you owe?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill and write eighty.’

8. And the lord praised the unrighteous steward, because he had acted prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in their own generation than the children of light.

9. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; so that, when you fail, they may receive you into the everlasting dwellings.”

248. ONE MUST BE FAITHFUL IN THE LITTLE THINGSTO BE TRUSTED WITH THE TRUE RICHES OF GOD’S GLORY
LUKE 16

10. “The one who is faithful in the things that are least is also faithful in much; and the one who is unrighteous in the things that are least is also unrighteous in much.

11. Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches?

12. And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give to you your own?”

249. NO ONE IS CAPABLE OF SERVING TWO MASTERS
LUKE 16

13. “No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and he will love the other; or he will hold to the one and will despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

14. Now the Pharisees who were also covetous, heard all these things; and they ridiculed Him.

15. And He said to them, “You are those who justify themselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination before God.

16. The Law and the Prophets were until John; from that time the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone zealously strives to enter it.

17. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

18. Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and everyone who marries a woman who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.”

250. THE PARABLE OF LAZARUS AND THE RICH MAN
LUKE 16

19. “Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, and daily indulged himself in luxury.

20. And there was a certain poor man named Lazarus, who was laid at his porch, full of sores.

21. And he longed to be nourished with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table; and the dogs even came and licked his sores.

22. Now it came to pass that the poor man died, and he was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. And the rich man also died and was buried.

23. And in the grave he lifted up his eyes and was in torment, for he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

LUKE 16

24. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have compassion on me and send Lazarus, so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am suffering because of this flame.’

25. Then Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that in your lifetime you received good things to the full, and likewise Lazarus evil things. But now he is comforted, and you are suffering.

26. And besides all these things, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed; so that those who desire to pass from here to you are not able, nor can those from there pass to us.’

27. And he said, ‘I beseech you then, father, that you would send him to my father’s house,

28. For I have five brothers; so that he may earnestly testify to them, in order that they also may not come to this place of torment.’

29. Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them hear them.’

30. But he said, ‘No, Father Abraham, but if one from the dead would go to them, they would repent.’

31. And he said to him, ‘If they will not hear Moses and the prophets, they would not be persuaded even if one rose from the dead.’ ”

251. A WARNING AGAINST OFFENDINGLITTLE ONES IN JESUS
LUKE 17

1. Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses will come, but woe to theone by whom they come!

2. It is better for him that a millstone be put around his neck and he be cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to offend.”

252. FORGIVE YOUR BROTHER’S TRESPASSESSEVEN TIMES A DAY
LUKE 17

3. “Watch yourselves; and if your brother commits a sin against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

4. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

253. INCREASE YOUR FAITHBY GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
LUKE 17

5. Then the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

6. But the Lord said, “If you had faith as a tiny mustard seed, you might say to this sycamine tree, ‘Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

7. But which of you having a servant plowing or shepherding will immediately say to himwhen he comes in from the field, ‘Come and sit down and eat’?

8. Rather, will he not say to him, ‘Prepare what I may eat, and gird yourself, and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterwards you may eat and drink’?

9. Is he thankful to that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.

10. Likewise you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants, because we have done that which we were obligated to do.’ ”

254. JESUS ON HIS WAY BACK TO JERUSALEMPASSES THROUGH GALILEE AND SAMARIA
LUKE 17

11. Now it came to pass that as He was going up to Jerusalem, He passed through the middle of Samaria and Galilee.

255. JESUS HEALS TEN LEPERS, BUT ONLY ONEGLORIFIES GOD AND THANKS JESUS
LUKE 17

12. And as He went into a certain village, He was met by ten leprous men, who stood at a distance.

13. And they lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14. And when He saw them, He said to them, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” ^a And it came to pass that while they were going, they were cleansed.

15. Then one of them, seeing that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice;

16. And he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him; and he was a Samaritan.

17. And answering, Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? But where are the other nine?

18. Are not any found returning to give glory to God except this stranger?”

19. Then He said to him, “Arise and go. Your faith has healed you.”

a - Lev. 14:1-32

256. THE KINGDOM OF GODCOMES NOT THROUGH OBSERVATION
LUKE 17

20. Now when the Pharisees demanded of Him when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation;

21. Neither shall they say, ‘Behold, it is here!’ Or, ‘Behold, it is there!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is standing in the midst of you.”

257. SOME OF THE SIGNS OF JESUS’ RETURN
LUKE 17

22. Then He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and shall not see it.

23. And they shall say to you, ‘Look here,’ or, ‘Look there.’ Do not go, neither follow them.

258. JESUS WILL RETURN SHINING AS A GREAT LIGHT
LUKE 17

24. “For as the light of day, whose light shines from one end under heaven to the other end under heaven, so also shall the Son of man be in His day.

25. But first it is necessary for Him to suffer many things and to be rejected by this generation.”

259. THE END TIMES WILL BE THE SAMEAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH
LUKE 17

26. “Now as it was in the days of Noah, so also shall it be in the days of the Son of man. ^a

27. They were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah went into the ark, and the Flood came and destroyed them all.”

a - Gen. 6:5-13

260. THE END TIMES WILL ALSO BE THE SAMEAS THE DAYS OF LOT IN SODOM

LUKE 17

28. “And it was the same way in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building;

29. But on the day that Lot went out from Sodom, ^a it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed them all.

30. This is how it shall be in the day that the Son of man is revealed.

31. In that day, let not the one who is on the housetop, and his goods in the house, come down to take them away; and likewise, let not the one who is in the field return to the things behind.

32. Remember Lot’s wife. ^b

33. Whoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.”

a - Gen. 18:20-24; 19:24-25; b - Gen. 19:26

261. TWO TOGETHER: ONE IS TAKEN, ONE IS LEFT
LUKE 17

34. “I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bed; one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

35. Two women shall be grinding together; one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

36. Two men shall be in the field; one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.”

37. And they answered, saying to Him, “Where, Lord?” And He said to them, “Where the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together.”

262. THE PARABLE OF THE UNJUST JUDGE
LUKE 18

1. And He also spoke a parable to them to show that it is necessary to pray always, and not to give up,

2. Saying, “There was in a certain city a certain judge who neither feared God nor respected man.

3. And there was a widow in that city; and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Avenge me of my adversary.’

4. Now for a time he would not; but afterwards he said within himself, ‘Although I do not fear God and do not respect man,

5. Yet because this widow is causing me trouble, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming.’ ”

6. Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

7. And shall not God execute vengeance for His elect, who cry out to Him day and night, and patiently watch over them?

8. I tell you that He will execute vengeance for them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, shall He find the true faith on the earth?”

263. THE PARABLE OF A SINFUL PUBLICANAND A SELF-RIGHTEOUS PHARISEE
LUKE 18

9. And to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others, He also spoke this parable:

10. “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11. The Pharisee stood and prayed with himself in this manner: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers—or even as this tax collector.

12. I fast twice in the week, and I give a tithe of everything that I gain.’

13. And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat himself on the chest, 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 shall be humbled; and the one who humbles himself shall be exalted.”

264. THE RAISING OF LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD
JOHN 11

1. Now there was a certain man who was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, which was the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

2. And it was Mary who later anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.

3. Therefore, the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, take notice: the one whom You love is sick.”

4. But after hearing this, Jesus said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.”

5. Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

6. But when He heard that he was sick, He deliberately remained in the same place two days.

7. And after this, He said to the disciples, “Let us go into Judea again.”

8. The disciples said to Him, “Master, the Jews were just seeking to stone You, and You are 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 the world.

10. But if anyone 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 am going so that I may awaken him.”

12. Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”

13. Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of the rest of sleep.

JOHN 11

14. For this reason, Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus has died.

15. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, in order that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

16. Then Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go also, so that we may die with Him.”

17. And so, when Jesus came, He found that he had already been lying in the tomb for four days.

18. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs away,

19. And many of the Jews had come to join those around Martha and Mary, so that they might console them concerning their brother.

20. And when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met Him. But Mary was sitting in the house.

21. And 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 shall 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, shall live again;

26. And everyone who lives and believes in Me shall not die forever. Do you believe this? ”

27. She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, Who was to come into the world.”

28. And after saying these things, she went away and secretly called her sister Mary, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.”

29. When she heard this, she rose up quickly and came to Him.

30. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha had met Him.

31. Therefore, when the Jews who were with Mary in the house, consoling her, saw that she had quickly risen up and gone out, they followed her, saying, “She is 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. As a result, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in spirit and was Himself inwardly moved.

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 much He loved him!”

37. But some of them said, “Could not this man, Who had the power to open the eyes of the blind, also have caused this one not to die?”

38. Because of this, Jesus again groaned within Himself as He came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was laid over the opening.

39. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who had died, said to Him, “Lord, he already stinks, for it has been four days.”

40. Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you will believe, you shall see the glory of God?”

41. Then they removed the stone from the tomb where the dead man had been laid. And Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

42. And I know that You hear Me always; but because of the people who stand around I say this, so that they may believe that You did send Me.”

43. And after He had spoken these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.”

44. And he who had been dead came forth, his feet and hands bound with grave clothes, and his face bound up with a napkin. Jesus said to them, “Loose him and let him go.”

45. Then many of the Jews who had come to console Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in Him.

265. THE PHARISEES AND PRIESTS PLOT JESUS’ DEATH
JOHN 11

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 shall we do? For this man does many miracles.

48. If we allow Him to continue in this manner, all will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away from us both this place and the nation.”

49. But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You have no understanding,

50. Nor consider that it is better for us that one man die for the people, than that the whole nation should perish.”

51. Now he did not say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation;

52. And not for the nation only, but also that He might gather together into one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

53. Therefore, from that day they took counsel together, so that they might kill Him.

266. JESUS ESCAPES TO THE CITY OF EPHRAIM
JOHN 11

54. For this reason, Jesus no longer walked publicly among the Jews, but went away from there into the country near the desert to a city called Ephraim; and He stayed there with His disciples.

268. THE CLASSIFICATION OF IMPOTENT MEN
MATTHEW 19

10. His disciples said to Him, “If that is the case of a man with a wife, it is better not to marry.”

11. But He said to them, “Not everyone can receive this word, 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. The one who is able to receive it, let him receive it.”

273. THE PARABLE OF THE WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD
MATTHEW 20

1. “The kingdom of heaven shall be compared to a man, a master of a house, who went out early in the morning to hire workmen for his vineyard.

2. And after agreeing with the workmen on a silver coin for the day’s wage, he sent them into his vineyard.

3. And when he went out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace;

4. And he said to them, ‘Go also into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’

5. And they went. Again, after going out about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did likewise.

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 the day?’

7. They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘Go also into my vineyard, and whatever is right you shall receive.’

8. And when evening came, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the workmen and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.’

9. And when those who were hired about the eleventh hour came, they each received a silver coin.

10. But when the first ones came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a silver coin.

11. And after receiving it, they complained against the master of the house,

12. Saying, ‘These who came last have worked one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have carried the burden and the heat of the day.’

13. But he answered and said to them, ‘Friend, I am not doing you wrong. Did you not agree with me on a silver coin for the day?

14. Take what is yours and go, for I also desire to give to the last ones exactly as I gave to you.

15. And is it not lawful for me to do what I will with that which is my own? Is your eye evil because I am good?’

16. So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last; for many are called, but few are chosen.”

277. JESUS HEALS A BLIND MAN AS HE COMES TO JERICHO
LUKE 18

35. Now it came to pass that as He drew near to Jericho, there was a certain blind man who sat begging beside the road.

36. And hearing a multitude passing by him, he asked what this might be.

37. And they told him, “Jesus the Nazarean is passing by.”

38. Then he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”

39. And those who were going in front rebuked him, so that he would be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me.”

40. Then Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he came near, He asked him,

41. Saying, “What do you desire to have Me do for you?” And he said, “Lord, that I may receive sight.”

42. Then Jesus said to him, “Receive sight. Your faith has healed you.”

43. And immediately he received sight; and he followed Him, glorifying God. Now after seeing this, all the people gave praise to God.

278. JESUS AT ZACCHEUS’ HOUSE IN JERICHO
LUKE 19

1. Then Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.

2. And behold, a man named Zaccheus was there. Now he was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.

3. And he was seeking to see Jesus, Who He was; but he was not able because of the multitude, for he was a man of small stature.

4. But after running ahead, in front of the multitude, he climbed up into a sycamore tree so that he might see Him; for He was about to pass that way.

5. And when He came to the place, Jesus looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zaccheus, make haste to come down, for today it is necessary for Me to stay at your house.”

6. And he came down in haste and received Him joyfully.

7. But after seeing this, everyone began to criticize, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a sinful man.”

8. Then Zaccheus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, the half of my possessions, Lord, I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I return fourfold.” ^a

9. And Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, inasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

10. For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.”

a - Ex. 22:1

280. THE PARABLE OF THE POUNDS
LUKE 19

11. Now as they were listening to these things, He went on to speak a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.

12. Therefore, He said, “A certain nobleman set out to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and to return.

13. And after calling ten of his servants, he gave to them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Trade until I come back.’

14. But his citizens hated him and sent an ambassador after him, saying, ‘We are not willing to have this man reign over us.’

15. And it came to pass that when he returned after receiving the kingdom, he directed that those servants to whom he had given the money be called to him, in order that he might know what each one had gained by trading.

16. And the first one came up, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has produced ten pounds.’

17. Then he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’

18. And the second one came, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’

19. Then he also said to this one, ‘And you be over five cities.’

20. But another came, saying, ‘Lord, behold your pound, which I kept laid up in a handkerchief.

21. For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You take up what you did not lay down, and you reap what you did not sow.’

22. Then he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant! You knew that I am a harsh man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow.

23. Then why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank, so that at my coming I might have received it with interest?’

24. And he said to those who were standing by, ‘Take the pound from him, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’

25. (And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds.’)

26. For I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given; but the one who does not have, even what he has shall be taken from him.

27. Moreover, bring my enemies, those who were not willing for me to reign over them, and slay them here before me.’ ”

28. And after saying these things, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

281. JESUS’ LAST PASSOVER APPROACHES
JOHN 11

55. Now the Passover ^a of the Jews was near, and many went up out of the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, so that they might purify themselves.

56. Then they were watching for Jesus, and were saying to one another while standing in the temple, “What do you think, that He will not come to the feast at all?”

57. For both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command that if anyone knew where He was, he should reveal it, so that they might seize Him.

a - Ex. 12:4-14; Lev. 23:5

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