Bible verse by verse

[_LittleNipper]

Matthew 18:1-35

Then the disciples came forward and asked Jesus, Who is [really] the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

And Jesus beckoned a small child to Himself and placed him at the center of them,

And said, Honestly I tell you you, unless you repent and become like little children, you can never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little one is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And whoever receives and accepts and welcomes one little child like this for My sake and in My name receives and accepts and welcomes Me.

But whoever causes one of these little ones who accepts and acknowledges and clings to Me to trip-up and commit sin, it would be advantageous for him to have a large millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the ocean.

Misery to the world for such temptations to sin and influences to behave wrong! It a sinful world and temptations come, but misery to the person who influenced or brought the tempation!

And if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble and sin, cut it off and toss it away from you; it is more wholesome for you to enter life eternal maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and be consumed in fire forever.

And if your eye causes you to fail and sin, pluck it out and toss it away from you; it is more wholesome for you to enter life a cyclops than to have two eyes and be tossed into fiery hell.

Beware that you do not despise or feel scornful toward or ignore the children, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always are in the presence of and look upon the face of My Father Who is in heaven.

For the Son of man came to save from the penalty of eternal death that which was lost.

What do you imagine if a man has a 100 sheep, and one of them has wandered off and gets lost, will he not leave the 99 on the mountain and go in search of the one that is missing?

And if it should occur that he discovers it, honestly I tell you, he rejoices more over it than over the 99 that stayed put.

Just so it is not the will of My Father Who is in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost and perish.

If your brother wrongs you, go and show him his fault, between you and him privately. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother.

But if he does not listen, take along with you one or several others, so that every word may be confirmed and upheld by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

If he refuses to listen and obey, inform the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a pagan and a tax collector.

Honestly I inform you, whatever you forbid and set aside as being improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already accepted in heaven.

Again I tell you, if two of you on earth are in agreement about anything and everything they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.

For wherever 2 or 3 are drawn together as My followers --- I Am in the middle.

Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go ---- up to seven times?

Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to 7 times, but 70 times 7!

The kingdom of heaven is like a human king who wished to settle accounts with his attendants.

When he began the accounting, one was brought to him who owed him 10 million dollars,

And because he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife and his children and everything that he possessed, and payment to be made.

So the attendant fell on his knees, begging him, Have patience with me and I will pay you everything.

And his master became pompassionate, and he released him and cancelled the debt.

But that same attendant went out, found one of his fellow attendants who owed him a $20.00; and he grabbed him by the throat and said, Give me my money!

So his fellow attendant fell down and begged him earnestly, Give me time, and I swear I'll pay you!

But he was unwilling, and he went out and had him thrown into prison till he would pay the debt.

When the other attendants saw what occurred, they were totally upset, and they went and told everything that had happened to their master.

Then his master called him and said to him, You contemptible conniving wretch! I forgave and cancelled all that great debt of yours because you begged me to.

And should you not have had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you?

And in disgust his master turned him over to torturers, till he might pay all that he owed.

And this is how My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not earnestly forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.

New International Version (NIV)

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.

3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Causing to Stumble
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!

8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.

9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

The Parable of the Wandering Sheep
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven,

11 for the Son of Man did come to save the lost. (From Luke)

12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?

13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Dealing With Sin in the Church
15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’

17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[e] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[h] was brought to him.

25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’

27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[i] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.

31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.

33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’

34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

[_LittleNipper]

Matthew 19:1-30

When Jesus finished saying these things, He departed Galilee and went into the part of Judea located beyond the Jordan;

And large crowds accompanied Him, and He healed them there.

And Pharisees came to Him and quizzed Jesus by asking, Is it lawful and right to dismiss, condemn and divorce one’s wife for any and every cause?

Jesus replied, Have you never read that He Who created them from the very beginning designed them male and female,

And said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined inseparably to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?

So they are no longer separate, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.

The Pharisees asked Jesus, Why would Moses command us to hand a certificate of divorce and thus to dismiss and condemn a wife?

Jesus told them, "Because of the stubbornness of your hearts Moses permitted you to dismiss and condemn and divorce your wives; but from the start it was not ordained.

I tell you: whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman is an adulterer.

The disciples said to Jesus, If this be the case regarding a man with his wife, it is neither profitable nor advisable to marry.

But Jesus said to them, Not all men can accept this saying, but it is for those to whom the ability has been provided.

For there are eunuchs who have been born unable to consummate a marriage; and there are eunuchs who have been castrated; and there are eunuchs who deny marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let him who is able to accept this accept it."

Then little children were brought to Jesus, that He might bless them and pray; but the disciples reprimanded those who brought them.

But Jesus insisted, "Leave the children alone! Allow the little ones to come to Me, and do not forbid, restrain, or hinder them, for like these is the kingdom of heaven composed.

And Jesus blessed them, and then continued along.

And so a young man came up to Jesus, saying, Teacher, what excellent, perfect essential good deed must I do to gain eternal life?

And Jesus replied to him, "Why do you ask Me about the perfect and necessary good? There is only One Who is perfectly good—God. If you would enter into the Life, you must absolutely keep the commandments.

He said to Jesus, "Which ones?" And Jesus answered, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,

Honor your father and your mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

The young man said, "I have observed all these from my youth; what do I lack?"

Jesus answered him, If you would have that spiritual maturity which accompanies self-sacrificing character, go and sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; and come, be My disciple.

But when the young man heard this, he went away distressed, for he had many things.

And Jesus said to His disciples, "Honestly I tell you, it will be difficult for a rich man to get into the kingdom of heaven.

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go into the kingdom of heaven.

When the disciples heard this, they were utterly beside themselves, saying, Who then can be saved from eternal damnation?

But Jesus looked at them and said, With men such is an impossibility, but all things are possible with God.

Then Peter answered Him, saying, Behold, we have left all and have become Your disciples. What then shall we get?

Jesus answered them, "Honestly I tell you, at the re-establishment, when the Son of Man shall sit down on the throne of His glory, you who have become My disciples and follow Me will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

And anyone and everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, lands for My name’s sake will receive many times more and will inherit eternal life.

But many who presently are first will be last at that time, and many who presently are last will be first then.
New International Version (NIV)

Divorce
1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan.

2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’

5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?

6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.

9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.

12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

The Little Children and Jesus
13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony,

19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

[_LittleNipper]

Matthew 20:1-34

For the kingdom of heaven is like the master of an estate who went out immediately in the morning to hire workmen for his vineyard.

After an agreement with the laborers at a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

And going out about the 3rd hour (9 AM), he saw others not working standing about the marketplace;

And he told them to go also into the vineyard, and whatever is right he will pay. And they went.

He went out again around the 6th hour (noon), and the 9th hour (3 PM) he did the same.

And about the 11th hour (5 PM) he went out and found still others standing about, and said to them, Why do you stand here idle all day?

They answered, "Because nobody has hired us. He told them, You go out into the vineyard also to work...

When evening fell, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, Call the workmen and pay them their wages, beginning with the last and ending with the first.

And those who had been hired at the 11th hour (5PM) came and received a denarius each.

Now when the first came, they supposed they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.

And when they were handed it, they murmured at the owner of the estate,

Saying, These laborers who came last worked no more than an hour, and yet you have made them our equal who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.

But he replied to one of them, "Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree to work for a denarius?

Take your things and go. I choose to give to this man hired last the very same as I give to you.

Am I not legally allowed to do what I choose with what I own? Do you begrudge my generosity?

So those who presently are last will be first someday, and those who presently are first will be last someday.

And as Jesus was headed up to Jerusalem, He took the 12 disciples aside along the way and told them,

Note that we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be given over to the chief priests and scribes; and they will sentence Him to die,

and give Him to Gentiles to be mocked and whipped and crucified, and He will be raised on the 3rd day.

Then the mother of Zebedee’s children came up to Jesus with her boys and, kneeling, worshiped Him and asked Jesus for a favor.

And He asked her, "What do you desire?" She replied, "Give orders that these two sons of mine may sit, one at Your right hand and one at Your left in Your kingdom."

But Jesus replied, "You have no idea what your are asking. Are you able to take what I'm about to take and to be immersed with the immersion with which I am plunged?" They answered, "Certainly."

He said to them, "You will drink My cup, but seats at My right hand and at My left are not Mine to give, but they are for those for whom they have been established and prepared by My Father."

But when the ten other disciples heard this, they were appalled at the two brothers.

And Jesus called them to Him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord over them, and their great men hold them in subjection.

It's not that way among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant,

And whoever desires to be first among you must be your slave—

exactly as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life in ransom for many.

And as they left Jericho, a great crowd accompanied Him.

And of note, two blind men were seated along the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was coming along, they cried out, "Lord, take pity and mercy on us, Son of David!"

The crowds reprimanded them and told them to be quiet; but they cried out all even louder, "Lord, take pity and mercy on us, Son of David!

And Jesus stopped and called them, and asked, "What is it you want Me to perform for you?"

They answered Him, "Lord, we want our eyes to see!

And Jesus, in pity, touched their eyes; and instantly they received their sight and followed Him


New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.

2 He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.

4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’

5 So they went.“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing.

6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius.

10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius.

11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.

12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius?

14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you.

15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time
17 Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them,

18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death

19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

A Mother’s Request
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered.

23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.

25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Two Blind Men Receive Sight
29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him.

30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

[_LittleNipper]

Matthew 21:1-46

 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem --- nearing the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead to the village.

“Just as you enter,” Jesus said, “you will find a donkey tied there, with its colt alongside. Untie them and bring them here.

If anyone asks you what you're about, just say, ‘The Master needs them,’ and he will let them go.”

This was done to fulfill the ancient prophecy,

“Tell Jerusalem her King is coming, riding humbly on a donkey’s colt!”

The two disciples did as Jesus requested,

and bringing the animals to Jesus and they threw their garments over the colt for him to ride on.

And some in the crowd strew their coats along the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them out before him.

Then the crowds surged on ahead and pressed along behind, shouting, “God bless King David’s Son!” . . . “God’s Man has arrived! . . . “Bless him, Lord!” . . . “Praise God in highest!”

The entire city of Jerusalem was stirred as he entered, asking, “Who is this?”

And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Jesus went into the Temple, driving out the merchants, and knocking over the money changers’ tables and the stalls of those selling doves.

“The Scriptures say my Temple is a place of prayer,” Jesus said, “but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

And now the blind and crippled came to Jesus, and he healed them there in the Temple.

But when the chief priests and other Jewish leaders saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the little children in the Temple shouting, “God bless the Son of David,” they were perturbed and asked him, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Didn’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘Even little babies shall praise him!’”

Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.

In the morning, as Jesus was headed back to Jerusalem and was hungry

and noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then Jesus said to it, “Never bear fruit again!” And the fig tree shriveled up.

The disciples were dumbfounded and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

Then Jesus told them, “Truly, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this Mount of Olives, ‘Fall into the ocean,’ and it will.

You can get anything—anything you ask for in prayer—if you believe.”

When Jesus returned to the Temple and resumed teaching, the chief priests and other Jewish leaders came up to him and demanded to know by whose authority he had thrown out the merchants the day before.

“I’ll tell you if you answer one question first,” Jesus replied.

“Was John the Baptist sent from God or not?”

They reasoned among themselves. “If we say, ‘From God, then Jesus will ask why we didn’t believe what John said.

And if we deny that God sent him, we’ll be attacked, for the crowd all believe he was a prophet.”

So they finally replied, “We don’t know!”

And Jesus said, “Then I won’t answer your question.

“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work on the farm today.’

‘No way,’ he replied, but later he reconsidered and went.

Then the father told the youngest, ‘You go!’ and the youngest said, ‘Sure, sir, I will.’ But he never did.

Which of the two was obeying his father?” They replied, “The first, of course.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “Surely evil men and prostitutes will enter the Kingdom sooner than you.

For John the Baptist told you to repent and turn to God, and you wouldn’t, while very evil men and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to repent, and so you couldn’t believe.

“Now listen to this story: A certain landowner planted a vineyard with a hedge around it, and built a platform for the watchman, then leased the vineyard to some farmers on a sharecrop basis, and went away to live in another country.

“At the time of the grape harvest he sent his agents to the farmers to collect his share.

But the farmers attacked his servant, beating one, murdering one, and stoning another.

Then he sent a larger group of his men to collect for him, but the results were the same.

Finally the owner sent his son, thinking they would surely respect him.

“But when these farmers saw the son coming, they schemed, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate; come on, let’s kill him and keep it ourselves!’

So they dragged him out of the vineyard and murdered him.

“When the owner returns, what do you think he will do to those farmers?”

The Jewish leaders replied, “He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to those who will pay him promptly.”

Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone rejected by the builders has been made the honored cornerstone; how fantastic! what an awesome thing the Lord has done’?

“What I mean is that the Kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and given to a nation that will give God his share of the crop.

All who stumble on this rock of truth shall be broken, but those it falls on will be squished.”

When the chief priests and other Jewish leaders realized that Jesus was referring them (they were the farmers in his story), they wanted to have Jesus arrested but were fearful due to the crowds accepting Jesus as a prophet.

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,

2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.

3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.

7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.

8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Jesus at the Temple
12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.

13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.

15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”

17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree
18 Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.

19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

21 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.

22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

The Authority of Jesus Questioned
23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’

26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.

32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

The Parable of the Tenants
33 “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place.

34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

35 “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.

36 Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way.

37 Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

38 “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’

39 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

41 “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:“‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’[h]?

43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them.

46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.

[_LittleNipper]

Matthew 22:1-46

Jesus told them a parable,

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.

And he sent his servants to remind those invited to the wedding feast, but the invited guests refused to come.

Then he sent out additional servants, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fattened calves are butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.”’

But they ignored the invitation, treating it with contempt and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.

The rest of the invited guests seized, insulting and humiliating and killed the servants.

The king was outraged, and sent his soldiers and killed those murderers and burned their city.

Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those originally invited were not worthy.

So go to the main thoroughfares that lead out of town, and invite to the wedding feast as many as you come upon.’

Those servants went out into the streets and gathered together all the people they came across, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.

“But when the king came in to see the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed appropriately,

and he said, ‘Sir, how did you come in here without wearing the wedding clothes provided?’ And the man was speechless and without excuse.

Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and toss him into the darkness outside; in that place there will be sorrow and pain and distress and anger.’

For many are called invited, but few are chosen.”

Then the Pharisees conspired together plotting how to trap Jesus by distorting what He said.

They sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are sincere and that You teach the way of God honestly, without regard for what anyone thinks; for You are impartial and do not seek anyone’s favor and You treat all people alike, regardless of status.

Tell us, what do You think? Is it permissible according to Jewish law to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”

But Jesus, aware of their deceit, asked, “Why are you hypocrites testing Me?

Show me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius a day’s wage.

And Jesus asked them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”

They responded, “Caesar’s.” Then He responded, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

When they heard this, they were surprised, and they left Him alone.

That day some Sadducees, who didn't believe in the resurrection of the dead, came to Jesus and asked Him,

“Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, leaving no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his widow, and raise children for his brother.’

Now say there were seven brothers; the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother.

The second also died childless, and the third, down to the seventh.

Last of all, the woman died.

So in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be --- being they all had married her.”

Jesus replied to them, “You are totally wrong because you do not accept the Scriptures nor the ability of God to raise the dead.

For when the resurrection happens men are not married nor are women presented to remain married, but they are like angels in heaven who do not marry nor produce children.

But regarding the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you:

‘I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

When the crowds heard this, they were awed at His illustration.

Now when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.

One of them, an expert in Mosaic Law, asked Jesus a question, to test Him:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus responded, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

This is the first and greatest commandment.

The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

The whole Law and the writings of the Prophets rest on these two commandments.”

Now while the Pharisees were still gathered together, Jesus asked them a question:

“What do you think of the Messiah? Whose Son is He?” They responded to Him, “The son of David.”

Jesus asked them, “How is it then that David through inspiration of the Spirit, calls Him ‘Lord,’ saying,

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, until I put Your enemies under submission”’?

So then, if David calls the Messiah ‘Lord,’ how is He David’s son?”

From that day on, no one was able to either answer Jesus nor dare question Him again.

New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
1 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:

2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.

3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

4 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

5 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business.

6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.

7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.

9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’

10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.

12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar
15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.

16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.

17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius,

20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

Marriage at the Resurrection
23 That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question.

24 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.

25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother.

26 The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh.

27 Finally, the woman died.

28 Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?”

29 Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

31 But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”

33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

The Greatest Commandment
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.

35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Whose Son Is the Messiah?
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

42 “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied.

43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,

44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”

45 If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”

46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

[_LittleNipper]

Matthew 23:1-39

Then Jesus addressed the crowds and His disciples,

saying: “The scribes and Pharisees have positioned themselves in Moses’ chair of authority regarding Law.

So practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not act as them, for they preach, but do not apply it to themselves.

The scribes and Pharisees bind heavy loads and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not offer any assistance.

They perform deeds to be observed; for they make their phylacteries [Judaism. either of two small, black, leather cubes containing a piece of parchment inscribed with verses 4–9 of Deut. 6, 13–21 of Deut. 11, and 1–16 of Ex. 13: one is attached with straps to the left arm and the other to the forehead during weekday morning prayers] more conspicuous and make their tassels showy.

They love the place of distinction and honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues [those on the platform near the scrolls of the Law, facing the congregation],

and to be greeted respectfully in the market places and public forums, and to have people call them rabbi/teacher.

But do not be called Teacher; for One is your Teacher, and you are equals.

Do not call any earthly ruler father; for One is your Father, who is in heaven.

Do not let yourselves be called leaders or teachers; for One is your Leader, the Christ/Messiah.

But the important among you will be your servant.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be honored.

But judgement upon you, self-righteous scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you close the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are trying to enter to do so.

Judgement upon you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you grab up widows’ houses, and to cover it up you make long winded prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.

Judgement upon you, self-righteous scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel over sea and land to make a single disciple, and when he converts, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

Judgement upon you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever makes an oath by the sanctuary of the temple, that doesn't count; but whoever pledges an oath by the gold of the temple is obligated to keep his promise.’

You blind fools! Which is more important, the gold or the sanctuary of the temple that sanctified the gold?

And, ‘Whoever swears an oath by the altar, that doesn't count, but whoever swears by the offering on it, he is obligated to fulfill his vow.’

You spiritually blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering?

Therefore, whoever makes an oath by the altar, swears both by it and by everything upon it.

And whoever makes an oath by the sanctuary of the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells within it.

And whoever swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.

Judgement upon you, self-righteous scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you give a tenth of your mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the more important moral and spiritual provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; for these are the important things you ought to have done without neglecting the others.

You spiritually blind guides, who are penny wise but pound foolish --- ignoring and violating God’s precepts!

Judgement upon you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence.

You spiritually blind Pharisee, first clean the inside to conform to God’s precepts, so that the outside presentation may be clean also.

Judgement upon you, self-righteous scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like painted tombs which look beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of carrion and everything putrid.

As so you outwardly seem to be just and upright to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Judgement upon you, self-righteous scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets and decorate and adorn the monuments of the righteous,

and you say, ‘If we only had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have joined them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’

So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.

Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers’ sins.

You snakes, you spawn of vipers, how can you escape the penalty of hell?

“Therefore, note, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and even crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues, and chase and persecute from city to city,

so upon you will fall the guilt of all the blood of the righteous shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Adam's son Abel to the blood of Berechiah's son priest Zechariah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

I assure you solemnly, all these vile and murderous deeds will come upon this generation

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who murders the prophets and stones messengers sent to her by God! How many times I desired to gather your children around Me, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling.

Listen fully: your house is being left to you abandoned by God and depleted of His protection!

For I say to you, you will not see Me ministering to you publicly until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the Lord's name!’”

New International Version (NIV)

A Warning Against Hypocrisy
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:

2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.

3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long;

6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.

9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.

10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.

11 The greatest among you will be your servant.

12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Seven Woes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees
13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you swallow up widows’ houses, and to cover it up you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.

15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’

17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?

18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’

19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.

21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it.

22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.

23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.

28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous.

30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’

31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.

32 Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!

33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?

34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.

35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

36 Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.

37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.

38 Look, your house is left to you desolate.

39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

[Guest]

Matthew 24:1-50

Presently Jesus was departing the temple already to leave. His disciples arrived to note to him the various temple structures.

He responded, “Do you see all this? I assure you that no stone will be left upon another. Everything will be demolished.”

Now while Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came ask him privately, “Tell us, when these things will occur? What will be the sign of your coming and the end of this age?”

Jesus replied, “Be sure that no one deceives you.

Many will come saying they are "Christians". They will deceive many people.

You will hear about wars and reports of wars. Don’t get upset. These things must happen, but the end hasn't arrived just yet.

Nations and kingdoms will war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in all kinds of places.

But all these things are just the beginning of the sufferings associated with the finale.

They will arrest you, abuse you, and they will murder you. All nations will hate you because of my name.

At that time many will change. They will betray each other and hate each other.

Many false prophets will show up and corrupt many people.

Because disobedience will increase, the love of many will fade.

But those who remains steadfast to the end will be saved.

This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the planet as a testimony to all the nations. Then the end will happen.

When you see the disgusting and destructive thing that Daniel revealed positioned in the Holy of Holies,

then those in Judea must run for the hills.

Those upon the roof shouldn’t come down to grab things from inside their houses.

Those in the field shouldn’t return to grab their clothes.

How terrible it will be at that time for women who are pregnant and for women who are nursing babied.

Pray that it doesn’t occur during winter or on the Sabbath day.

There will be great suffering such as the world has never before witnessed and will never witness again.

If that moment wasn't shortened, nobody would be rescued. But for the sake of the ones whom God chose, that time will abruptly end.

Then if somebody says to you, ‘Look, here’s the Messiah,’ or ‘He’s over here,’ don’t accept it.

False Messiahs and false prophets will appear, and they will offer great signs and events in order to deceive, if possible, even those whom God has selected.

Understand, I’ve told you before hand.

So when you are told, 'See, the "Messiah" is in the desert,’ don’t go out. And if told, ‘Look, the "Messiah" is in a secret room deep inside the house,’ don’t accept it.

Just as the lightning flashes from the east to the west, so it will be with the coming of the Human One.

The vultures gather wherever there’s carrion.

Now immediately following the suffering of that time the sun will darken, and the moon won’t shine. The stars will disappear from the sky and the planets and other heavenly bodies will be moved.

Then the sign of the Human One will appear in the sky. At that time all the families upon earth will be full of sadness, and they will observe the Human One coming in the heavenly clouds with power and marvelous splendor.

He will send his angels with the sound of a great trumpet, and they will gather His the selected from everywhere, from one end of the sky to the other.

Understand this parable from the fig tree. After its branch becomes tender and it sprouts new leaves, you realize that summer is approaching.

Likewise, when you observe all these things, you know that the Human One is just about to enter.

I assure you that this particular generation won’t pass away until all these things happen.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but what I say will rest assuredly not.

But nobody knows when that day or moment will arrive, not the heavenly angels and not the Son. Only the Father has possess this information.

Like in Noah's day, so it will be at the coming of the Human One.

In those days prior to the Flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, right up until Noah entered the ark.

They didn’t realize what was occurring until the flood arrived and swept them all away. The coming of the Human One will be like that.

At that time there will be two men in the field. One will be taken and the other left.

Two women will be working. One will be taken and the other left.

So, stay alert! You don’t know what day the Lord is coming.

But you understand that if the owner of the house knew at what moment the thief would arrive, he would remain alert and wouldn’t allow the thief to break into his house.

Therefore, you also should be prepared, because the Human One will come at a time you cannot know.

Who then are the faithful and wise servants whom their master puts in charge of presenting food at the right time to those residing in his house?

Happy are those servants whom the master finds fulfilling their duties when he comes.

I assure you that he will put them in charge of everything he owns.

But suppose those bad servants should say to themselves, My master won’t come until later.

And suppose they attack their fellow servants and eat and drink with drunks?

The master of those servants will come on a day when they are not expecting him, at a time they had no clue of.

He will slice them to pieces and dump them in a place with the hypocrites. People there will be wailing and totally miserable.


New International Version (NIV)

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings.

2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.

5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.

6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,

11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—

16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house.

18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak.

19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!

20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.

21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.

22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.

24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

25 See, I have told you ahead of time.

26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.

27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

29 “Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.

31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.

33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[e] is near, right at the door.

34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;

39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.

41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?

46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’

49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.

50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

[_Brackite]

Matthew 22 (NKJV)

29 Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.


Matthew 22 (NIV)

29 Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.


Matthew 22 (NASB)

29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.



LDS Response:

Latter-day Saints believe that the faithful will live in family units in Heaven. We believe that this world is patterned after the Heavenly world, and we are simply practicing in this life that which will be eternally enjoyed. (See Eternal Marriage)

Objections to this belief are usually based on Matthew 22:30: "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." Notice, it does not say matrimonial relationships do not exist in Heaven, but that no one marries in Heaven. Mormons do not believe that anyone actually marries in Heaven. We believe marriage is an earthly ordinance and must be done here. We believe those who were sealed in the Temple here on earth, and live faithful to their covenants with God, continue their family relationships in Heaven.

We believe that if you to choose to wait until after the resurrection to seek eternal marriage, it is too late and you will spend eternity as a serving angel. For those who did not have the opportunity for eternal marriage in mortality, God will make allowances. Therefore, LDS beliefs are in accordance with this interpretation of scripture. However, there is additional evidence of the concept of eternal marriage contained within the Bible. It is important to recognize that one verse of scripture does not define all eternal truth. To properly understand the scriptures, it is crucial that we bring all relevant passages into the discussion so that our understanding is placed into proper context.

...

As final point on Matthew 22:30, please keep in mind that Christ is addressing this statement of doctrine to the Sadducees. Jesus made his response to the Sadducees after they asked him the trick question concerning the brothers and the woman. Remember that the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, immortality, or eternal marriage. His answer to them must be understood in that context.

http://web.archive.org/web/201012200110 ... rriage.htm

[_LittleNipper]

Matthew 10:33-37

33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

35 For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—

36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

The following regards Salvation. Adam and Eve were to populate the earth. In the Resurrection the new earth will have a population of all saints.
“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on Earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on Earth shall be loosed in heaven”

[_LittleNipper]

Matthew 25:1-46

“The Kingdom of Heaven at that moment will be like 10 bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the Groom.

5 of them were fools and five were sensible.

The fool ones took lamps with them but no oil,

whereas the others took flasks of oil with their lamps.

Now the Bridegroom was late, so they all fell asleep.

It was midnight when the cry came, ‘The Bridegroom is here! Go out to meet him!’

The girls all woke up and prepared their lamps for lighting.

The fools said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

‘No,’ they replied, ‘there is not enough for both you and us. Go to the oil dealers and buy some for yourselves.’

But as they left to buy, the Bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready left with Him for the wedding party, and the door was closed.

Later, the other bridesmaids arrived. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they cried, ‘Let us in!’

But He responded, ‘Really! I say that I don’t know you!’

So be watchful, because you know neither the day or the hour.

For it will be like a man about to leave home for a time, who entrusted his possessions to his servants.

To one he handed 5 talents [about a hundred years’ wages]; to another, 5 talents; and to another, 1 talent — to each according to his ability. Then he left.

The one who was handed 5 talents immediately went out, invested it and earned 5 more.

Similarly, the 1 handed 2 earned 2 more.

But the 1 handed 1 talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.

After a long time, the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them.

The one handed 5 talents came forward bringing the other 5 and said, ‘Sir, you gave me 5 talents; here, I have earned 5 more.’

His master said to him, ‘Excellent! You are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been faithful with a small amount, so I will put you in charge of a greater amount. Come and reap your master’s happiness!’

Also the 1 handed 2 came forward and said, ‘Sir, you gave me 2 talents; here, I have earned 2 more.’

His master said to him, ‘Excellent! you are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been faithful with a small amount, so I will put you in charge of a greater amount. Come and reap your master’s happiness!’

Now the 1 handed 1 talent came forward and said, ‘I knew you are persistent. You harvest where you didn’t plant and gather where you didn’t sow seed.

I was afraid, so I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here! Take what belongs to you!’

‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ said his master, ‘So you surmised, that I harvest where I haven’t planted? and that I gather where I didn’t sow seed?

Then you should have placed my money in the bank, so that when I returned, I would at least have gotten back interest with my capital!

Take the talent from him and give it to the one with 10.

For everyone who has something will be given more, so that he will have more than enough; but from anyone with nothing, even what he does have will be taken away.

As for this worthless servant, throw him out in the dark, where people will wailing and remorse!’

When the Son of Man arrives in His glory, accompanied by all the angels, He will sit on His glorious throne.

All the nations will be assembled before Him, and He shall separate the people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats.

The ‘sheep’ He will place at His right hand and the ‘goats’ at His left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you from the Creation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me your guest,

I needed clothes and you provided them, I was sick and you took care of Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’

Then the people who have done what God wants will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, thirsty and give You something to drink, a stranger and make You our guest, needing clothes and provide them? When did we see You sick or in prison, and visit You?’

The King will reply, ‘Yes! I tell you that whenever you did these things for one of the least significant of these brothers of mine, you did them for Me!’

Then He will also speak to those on His left, saying, ‘Get away from me, you who are cursed! Go off into the fire prepared for Satan and his angels!

For I was hungry and You didn't feed Me, thirsty and you provided Me nothing to drink, a stranger and you did not welcome Me, needing clothing and you did not provide Me any, sick and in prison and you Never visited Me.’

Then they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, thirsty, a stranger, needing clothes, sick or in prison, and not care for You?’

And He will reply to them, ‘Yes! I tell you that whenever you refused to do it for the least significant of these people, you refused Me!’

They will go off to eternal punishment, but those who have done what God wants will go to eternal life.

New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.

4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

The Parable of the Bags of Gold
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.

15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.

17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.

18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.

20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags.

29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

The Sheep and the Goats
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.

32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?

38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,

43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”