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20 One day Jesus was teaching the people in the temple. He was telling them God's good news. The chief priests and the scribes came to him with the leaders.

They said to him, `Tell us what right you have to do these things. Who gave you the right to do them?'

He answered, `I will ask you a question also. Tell me this.

Who gave John the right to baptise people? Did God or did men give it to him?'

They talked it over together. They said, `If we say, "God gave John the right to do it," he will say, "Then why did you not believe him?"

But if we say, "Men gave him the right to do it," then the people will kill us with stones. They believe that John was a prophet of God.'

So they answered Jesus, `We do not know who gave him the right to do it.'

Then Jesus said to them, `Neither will I tell you what right I have to do these things.'

Then Jesus began to tell the people this story. `A man planted a farm. He let some men use the farm. They paid him money for the rent. Then he went to a country far away and stayed a long time.

10 `At harvest time the owner sent one of his servants to the men who used the farm. He wanted to have some fruit from the farm. But the men beat the servant and sent him away without any fruit.

11 So he sent another servant. They beat this one also, and did wrong things to him. And they sent him away without any fruit.

12 He sent a servant the third time. They hurt this one also and threw him out of the farm.

13 `Then the man who owned the farm said, "What shall I do? I will send my dear son. Maybe they will respect him."

14 `But when the men saw him they said to each other, "This is the one who will have everything when his father dies. Let us kill him. Then everything will belong to us."

15 They dragged him off the farm and killed him. `What will the man who owned the farm do to them?

16 He will come back and kill those men. And he will give the farm to other men to use.' When the chief priests and scribes heard this, they said, `May it not be so!'

17 `But Jesus looked right at them. He said, `What about this writing then? "The stone which the builders would not use is now the chief corner stone."

18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces. But if that stone falls on anyone, it will crush him.'

19 The scribes and the chief priests wanted to catch Jesus right then but they feared the people. They understood that he had told this story against them.

20 So they watched for a chance to catch him. And they sent men to spy on him. These men acted as if they were good men. They did this because they wanted to catch him in something that he said. They wanted to give him over to the ruler who would judge and punish him.

21 So they asked Jesus, `Teacher, we know that you talk and teach what is right. You do not fear any person. But you teach the true way of God.

22 Is it right to pay money as taxes to Caesar or is it not?'

23 He knew they were trying to get him into trouble.

24 So he said, `Show me a piece of money. Whose picture and name are on it?' They said, `Caesar's'

25 Then he said to them, `So give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.'

26 They were not able to catch him in anything he said in front of the people. They were surprised at his answer and they could not say anything.

27 Some of the Sadducees came to Jesus. (They say that people do not rise from death.)

28 They came to ask Jesus a question. `Teacher,' they said, `Moses gave us this law: "If a man dies and leaves a wife but no children, then his brother must marry the wife and raise a family for his brother."

29 There were seven brothers. The first one married. He died and left no children.

30 The second one married the wife.

31 Then the third one married her. All seven brothers married her. They all had no children and they died.

32 Last of all, the woman died also.

33 Now then, when people rise from death, whose wife will she be? All seven of them had married her.'

34 Jesus said to them, `Men and women in this world marry.

35 But men and women who are good enough to have a place in the next world and to be raised from death do not marry.

36 They cannot die again. They are like angels. They are God's children because they have been raised from death.

37 Even Moses showed that people do rise from death. It is in his book where we read about the small tree which burned. Moses says that the Lord is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

38 He is not the God of dead people, but of living people. All people are alive to him.'

39 Some of the scribes said to him, `Teacher, what you say is right.'

40 After that, people were afraid to ask him any more questions.

41 But Jesus asked them, `How can people say that Christ is David's son?

43 David himself says in the book of the Psalms, "The Lord said to my Lord, sit beside me until I make you master over your enemies."

44 So David calls Christ his Lord. How can Christ be David's son?'

45 Then Jesus talked to his disciples while all the people could hear him.

46 He said, `Take care. Do not let the scribes fool you. They like to walk about dressed in long gowns. They want people to greet them in the market. They want to have the front seats in the meeting houses. They want to sit in the best places at feasts.

47 They take away the homes of women whose husbands are dead. They cover up their wrong ways by talking to God a long time. They will be punished more!'

21 Jesus looked around in the temple. He saw the place where the people put in their money. Rich people were putting in their money.

And he saw a poor woman whose husband was dead. She put in two small pieces of money.

Jesus said, `I tell you the truth. This poor woman has given more than all the other people.

All these people had plenty of money and they gave only a part of it. She was poor and she gave everything she had. She has nothing left to live on.'

Some people were talking about how nice the temple looked. They talked about the fine stones and the things people gave to make the temple.

Jesus said, `You see these things. Not one stone here will be left on top of another. They will all be thrown down!'

They asked him, `Teacher, when will this happen? What will be the sign when these things are going to be done?

He said, `Take care. Do not let anyone fool you. Many men will come in my name. They will say, "I am Christ." And they will say, "The time is now." Do not go after them.

When you hear about wars and fighting, do not fear. These things must happen first, but it is not the end right away.'

10 Then he said, `One tribe will fight against another tribe. And one country will fight against another country.

11 In some places the earth will shake very much. In many places the people will have no food to eat. And many people will be sick. There will be things to make people fear. There will be big signs in the sky.

12 `But before all these things happen, people will catch you and trouble you. They will take you to the meeting houses to be judged. They will put you in prison. They will take you to kings and rulers because you are true to me.

13 This will be a chance for you to talk about me.

14 So do not trouble your minds about what you will say.

15 I will give you words and sense. All those who are against you will not be able to answer your words or say they are not true.

16 Even your parents, brothers, family people, and friends will give you over to trouble. They will kill some of you.

17 All people will hate you because you are true to me.

18 But you will not lose one hair from your heads.

19 If you keep on being true to me, you will live for ever.'

20 `When you see soldiers all around Jerusalem, then you will know that it will soon be broken down.

21 Then the people in Judea must go quickly to the hills. Those who are in the city must leave it. Those who are in the country must not come into the city.

22 Those will be days of punishment. All that has been written in the holy writings must happen.

23 In those days it will be very hard for women who are to have a child. It will be very hard for mothers who have babies. There will be big trouble on the earth. God will show his anger to these people.

24 They will be killed by swords or long knives. They will be taken away as prisoners to every country. Jerusalem will be broken down by people who are not Jews. They will walk over it until the end of their allowed time.'

25 `There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And there will be much trouble for the people on earth. They will not know what to do. It will be like the sound of big waves of the sea.

26 Men will be weak with fear. They will be afraid of the things that will be happening to the world. The powers in the sky will be shaken.

27 Then people will see the sign of the Son of Man in a cloud. He will have much power and will be very great.

28 When these things begin to happen, look up. Lift up your heads. You will soon be free.'

29 Jesus told them a story. He said, `Look at a fig tree. Look at all the trees.

30 As soon as you see the leaves coming, you know that it will soon be the warm time of the year.

31 It is the same way when you see all these things happening. You will know that the kingdom of God is near.

32 I tell you the truth. People who are living then will not die before all these things happen.

33 The sky and the earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.'

34 `But take care. Do not think too much about eating, drinking, and things in this life. If you do, that day will come and catch you like a trap.

35 That day will come to all people who are living on the whole earth.

36 Watch all the time. Ask God to make you strong to do right so that you will not go through all these things that are going to happen. Ask him to make you able to stand in front of the Son of Man.'

37 Jesus taught in the temple every day. But at night he went out and stayed on the hill called the Mount of Olives.

38 Early in the morning all the people came to hear him in the temple.

22 It was near the time for the feast with bread that has no yeast in it. This is called the Passover Feast.

The chief priests and the scribes planned how to kill Jesus. But they feared the people.

Satan came into the heart of Judas. Judas was one of the twelve disciples. His other name was Iscariot.

Judas went away and talked things over with the chief priests and captains. He told them how he could help them catch Jesus.

They were glad, and they said they would give him money for it.

He agreed. He watched for a good way to help them catch Jesus when there were not too many people around.

It was the day of the feast with bread that has no yeast in it. The sheep had to be killed for the Passover Feast,

So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying to them, `Go and get the Passover Feast ready for us to eat.'

They asked, `Where do you want us to get it ready?'

10 He said, `When you go into the city, a man carrying a pot of water will meet you. Follow him into the house where he goes.

11 Tell the master of the house, "The Teacher says, `Where is the room where I can eat the Passover Feast with my disciples?' "

12 He will show you a large room upstairs. It will be all fixed up. Make it ready there.'

13 So they went and found everything just the way Jesus had said. Then they made the Passover food ready.

14 When it was time to eat, he sat down at the table and the apostles sat down with him.

15 He said to them, `I have wanted very much to eat this Passover Feast with you before my troubles come.

16 I tell you this. I will not eat it again until the great feast in the kingdom of God.'

17 He took the cup and thanked God. He said, `Take this. All of you drink from this.

18 I tell you this. I will not drink from the fruit of the vine again until the kingdom of God comes.'

19 He took some bread. He thanked God for it and broke it. He gave it to the disciples and said, `This is my body, which is given for you. When you do this, then remember me.'

20 In the same way he took the cup after they had eaten. He said, `This cup is the new agreement made by my blood. It is given for you.

21 `There is a man who will give me over to my enemies. His hand is here at the table with me.

22 The Son of Man will go on as it was planned for him. But the man who gives him over will have trouble!'

23 The disciples began to ask each other, `Which of us will do this?'

24 They started to quarrel among themselves about which of them was the greatest person.

25 Jesus said to them, `The kings of countries make their people obey them. Those who rule give themselves a good name.

26 But it must not be so among you. The one who is greatest among you must be like the most unimportant. And the leader must be like one who helps others.

27 Which man is greater, the man who sits at the table or the man who helps him? Is it not the man who sits at the table? But I am like the man who helps you.

28 `You have stayed with me through my troubles.

29 My Father made me a ruler, and now I make you rulers.

30 You will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. You will sit on chief chairs or thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.'

31 `Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has asked to have all of you. He wants to shake you like grain with the cleaning fan.

32 But I have talked to God about you, Simon, so that you will keep on believing in me. And when you come back, then help your brothers to be strong.'

33 Simon said, `Lord, I will go with you, even to prison or to die.'

34 Jesus said, `I tell you this, Peter. This very day, before the cock calls, you will say three times that you do not know me.'

35 Jesus said to them, `When I sent you out to the towns, I told you not to carry a money bag, or a bag, or shoes. Did you ever need anything at that time?' They said, `No.'

36 He said, `But this time, anyone who has money should take it and his bag too. Anyone who has no sword should sell his coat and buy one.

37 `The holy writings say, "He was counted as one of the bad people." And I tell you, that means me. And the things that are written about me must happen to me.'

38 The disciples said, `Look, Lord, here are two swords.' And he answered, `That is enough.'

39 Then Jesus went out of the room and went to the hill called the Mount of Olives where he often went. His disciples went with him.

40 He said to them, `Talk with God so that you will not do wrong.'

41 He went away from them about as far as a person can throw a stone. Then he kneeled down to talk with God.

42 He said, `Father, if you will, take this cup away from me. But do not do what I want but what you want.'

43 Then an angel came to him from heaven and helped to make him strong.

44 His heart was troubled very much. So he talked with God more than before. His sweat was like big drops of blood falling on the ground.

45 He stopped talking with God and got up. He went to his disciples and found them sleeping because they were sad.

46 He said to them, `Why are you sleeping? Get up. Talk with God so that you will not do wrong.'

47 As Jesus was saying this, many men came. One of the twelve disciples, named Judas, was leading the people. He came near Jesus to kiss him.

48 Jesus said to him, `Judas, will you give over the Son of Man to his enemies with a kiss?'

49 The disciples around Jesus saw what was going to happen. They said, `Lord, shall we fight with our swords?'

50 One of them hit the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

51 Jesus said, `Just let me do this.' And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

52 The chief priests, the captains of the temple, and the leaders of the people had come to catch Jesus. He said to them, `Have you come to take me with swords and sticks, the way you catch a man who steals?

53 I was with you every day in the temple. You did not try to catch me then. But this is your time now, the time of the power of darkness.'

54 The men caught Jesus and took him away to the high priest's house. Peter followed them far behind.

55 They made a fire in the yard and sat around it. Peter sat down with them.

56 A woman saw Peter sitting by the fire. She looked at him and said, `This man was with him also.'

57 But Peter said, `Woman, I do not know him.'

58 After a while, another person saw him and said, `You are one of them also.' But Peter said, `Man, I am not.'

59 About an hour later another person said, `Surely this man was with him. He comes from Galilee.'

60 Peter said, `Man, I do not know what you are talking about.' And right then, while he was talking, the cock called.

61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered that the Lord had said to him, `Before the cock calls in the morning, you will say three times that you do not know me.'

62 Peter went out and cried very much.

63 The men who guarded Jesus made fun of him and beat him.

64 They tied something over his eyes. Then they hit him in the face and said, `Tell us if you know who hit you!'

65 And they said many other wrong things to him.

66 In the morning the leaders of the people, the chief priests and scribes met together. They took Jesus to their court.

67 They said, `If you are the Christ, tell us.' Jesus said, `If I tell you, you will not believe.

68 And if I ask you anything, you will not answer.

69 From this time on the Son of Man will sit beside God who has all power.'

70 They all said, `Then are you the Son of God?" He said, `Yes, I am.'

71 They said, `We do not need any more proof against him. We ourselves have heard what he said.'

23 Then all the people got up and took Jesus to Pilate.

They began to make a complaint against him. They said, `This man is leading our people to do wrong. He says we should not pay taxes to Caesar. He says that he is Christ, a King.'

Then Pilate asked Jesus, `Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, `Yes, I am.'

Pilate said to the chief priests and to the people, `I find nothing wrong in this man.'

But they said all the more, `He troubles the people by his teaching. He has been teaching people in all the country of Judea. He began in Galilee and has come as far as this city.'

When Pilate heard this, he asked, `Is this man from Galilee?'

When he knew that he came from Herod's country, he sent him to Herod. Herod was in Jerusalem at that time.

He was glad to see Jesus. He had heard about him. And he had wanted to see him for a long time. He was hoping that he would see Jesus do a big work.

He asked Jesus many questions. But Jesus did not answer him.

10 The chief priests and the scribes stood near. They brought strong complaints against him.

11 Then Herod and his soldiers laughed at Jesus and made fun of him. He dressed him up in very fine clothes and sent him back to Pilate.

12 Herod and Pilate became friends that day. Before that, they had hated each other.

13 Pilate then called the chief priests, and the rulers, and the people.

14 He said to them, `You brought this man to me. You said he is leading your people to do wrong. I have asked questions here in front of you. I have found nothing wrong in this man.

15 Herod did the same. He sent him back to us. This man has done nothing for which he should die.

16 So I will beat him and let him go.'

17 At the feast Pilate always let one man go free.

18 But they all shouted, `Kill this man! Let Barabbas go free for us!'

19 (Barabbas had been put in prison because he led some people who had been fighting in the city. He had killed a man.)

20 Pilate talked to the people again. He wanted to let Jesus go free.

21 But they shouted, `Nail him to a cross! Nail him to a cross!"

22 Pilate said to them the third time, `Why, what wrong thing has he done? I have not found any wrong thing for which he should die. So I will beat him and let him go.'

23 But they shouted all the more loudly, saying, `Nail him to a cross!' And Pilate gave in to their shouting.

24 So he said they could have it their way.

25 He let the other man go free. (He was the one who had been put in prison because he fought and had killed a man. He was the one the people asked Pilate to let go free.) And Pilate did to Jesus what they wanted him to do.

26 They took Jesus away. On the way, they caught a man who was coming in from the farms. His name was Simon. He was born in the country of Cyrene. They made him walk behind Jesus and carry his cross.

27 Many people followed him. Women cried and were sorry for him.

28 But Jesus turned to them and said, `Daughters of Jerusalem, do not cry for me. But cry for yourselves and for your children.

29 The time will come when people will say, "Happy are the women who have no children or who have never had a child."

30 Then people will begin to say to the big hills, "Fall on us." They will say to the small hills, "Hide us."

31 If this is what people do when the wood is new, what will they do when it is old?'

32 Two men were also led away to be killed with Jesus. They were bad men.

33 They came to the place called Calvary (the head bone.) There they nailed the two bad men to the crosses also. They put one man on the right side of Jesus and one man on the left side of him.

34 Jesus said, `Father, forgive them! They do not know what they are doing.' The soldiers played a game to see how they should divide his clothes.

35 The people stood around watching. But the rulers made fun of him. They said, `He saved other people. He should save himself if he is God's Christ, God's chosen one!'

36 The soldiers made fun of him. They came and brought him wine to drink.

37 They said, `If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!'

38 The sign that was put above Jesus' head said, `This is the King of the Jews.'

39 One of the bad men who was hanging there said wrong things against Jesus. He said `If you are the Christ, why do you not save yourself and us?'

40 But the other bad man told him to stop. He said, `Do you not even fear God? You are being punished just as he is.

41 It is right for us to be punished because we have done wrong things. But this man has done nothing bad.'

42 He said to Jesus, `Lord, remember me when you become a King.'

43 And Jesus said to him, `I tell you the truth. Today you will be with me in God's garden of paradise.'

44 About noontime the whole land became dark and stayed dark for three hours.

45 The sun did not shine. The big cloth that hung in the temple was torn into two pieces.

46 Jesus called out loud, `Father, I put my spirit into your hands!' When he had said this, he died.

47 The captain saw all this. Then he praised God. He said, `Surely, this was a good man!'

48 Many people were around there to look on. When they saw what happened, they all went home beating their chests [because they were sad].

49 All Jesus' friends and the women who had come with him from Galilee stood far away. They saw all of this.

50 There was a man named Joseph. He was a member of the court. He was a good man who lived the right way.

51 He had not wanted the people to do what they did. He was looking for the kingdom of God. He was from a town of the Jews, called Arimathea.

52 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

53 He took the body down from the cross. He wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid it in a grave cut in a rock. No one had ever been put in this grave.

54 It was the day before the Sabbath. And it was almost time for the Sabbath to begin.

55 Some women had come with Jesus from Galilee. They followed and saw the grave where his body was put.

56 Then they went back and got things ready to put on his body. These things were spices that smelled very nice, and sweet kinds of oil. On the Sabbath day they rested as the law said they should.

24 On the first day of the week, early in the morning, the women went to the grave. They took with them the things they had made ready.

They saw that the stone was rolled away from the grave.

So they went in. But they did not see the body of the Lord Jesus.

They were troubled about this. Then they saw two men standing near them. They were dressed in white clothes.

The women were afraid and bowed their faces down to the ground. The men said to them, `Why do you look for a living person among dead people?

He is not here. He has risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee.

He said that the Son of Man would be given over to bad men. He would be nailed to a cross, and he would rise on the third day.'

Then they remembered what he had said.

They left the grave and went back. They told all these things to the eleven disciples and to all the other people.

10 The women who told these things to the apostles were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women who were with them.

11 But Peter got up and ran to the grave. He bowed down and looked in. He saw the linen clothes lying there, but nothing more. Then he left, wondering about what had happened.

12 That same day, two of the disciples were going to the town called Emmaus. It was about two hours walk from Jerusalem.

13 They were talking together about all the things that had happened.

14 While they were talking and asking each other questions, Jesus himself came and walked with them.

15 But even though they saw him, they did not know who he was.

16 Jesus asked them, `What is this that you are talking about as you walk along looking so sad?'

17 One of them named Cleophas answered him. He said, `Are you a stranger in Jerusalem and do not know what has happened there these last days?'

18 Jesus said, `What things?" They said, `All that has happened to Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet of God. He had power to do big works and to teach the people. He was respected by God and all the people.

19 Our chief priests and rulers gave him over to be punished by death, and they nailed him to a cross.

20 But we were hoping that he was the one who would free the people of Israel. But that is not all. This is the third day since they did it.

21 Some of our women told us things that surprised us. Early this morning they were at the grave.

22 They did not find his body there. They came back and said that they saw angels. The angels told them that Jesus was living.

23 Some of us went to the grave. And they found everything just as the women said. But they did not see Jesus.'

24 Then he said to them, `You foolish men! Your hearts are slow to believe all that the prophets of God have said long ago.

25 Christ had to have this trouble and go to the place where he will be great, did he not?'

26 Then he told them the meaning of all that Moses and all the prophets of God long ago had written about him.

27 They came near the village to which they were going. It looked as if he was going on further.

28 But they begged him not to go further. They said, `Stay with us. It will soon be night. The day is almost finished.' So he went in to stay with them.

29 He sat down at the table with them. Then he took the bread and thanked God for it. He broke it and gave it to them.

30 Then they saw who he was. They knew him. And then suddenly they could not see him any more.

31 They said to each other, `It was like a fire burning in our hearts when he talked to us on the road and told us the meaning of the holy writings!'

32 They got up right then and went back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples together. Some other people were with them.

33 These people said, `The Lord has really risen! He came to Simon!'

34 Then the men from Emmaus told them what had happened on the road. They told how they knew Jesus when he broke bread and gave it to them.

35 While they were telling them this, Jesus himself stood there with them. He said to them, `Peace to you!'

36 They were troubled and afraid. They thought they were seeing a spirit.

37 He said to them, `Why are you troubled? Why do you wonder about these things in your hearts?

38 Look at my hands and my feet. You can see that it is I myself. Touch me with your hands and see. A spirit does not have a body and bones as you see I have.'

39 They gave him a piece of cooked fish.

40 He took the fish and ate it in front of them.

41 Then he said, `I told you this while I was with you. I told you that things were written about me in the books of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. And I told you that all of these things must come true.'

42 Then he taught them so that they understood the things in the holy writings.

43 He said, `It is written that the Christ must have trouble. On the third day he will rise from death.

44 Men will talk in his name to people in all countries. They will tell them to stop their wrong ways and ask to be forgiven. They will begin in Jerusalem.

45 You are the men who have seen these things, and will tell people about them.

46 I will send you what the Father has promised to give you. So wait in the city of Jerusalem until you have been given power from God.'

47 Jesus led the disciples out as far as the town of Bethany. He put up his hands and blessed them.

48 While he was blessing them, he left them. He was taken up into heaven.

49 They bowed down and worshipped him. They were very happy and went back to Jerusalem.

50 Every day they were in the temple praising God.

The Authority of Jesus Questioned(A)

20 One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts(B) and proclaiming the good news,(C) the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?”(D)

He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me: John’s baptism(E)—was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people(F) will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”(G)

So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.”

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

The Parable of the Tenants(H)

He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard,(I) rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time.(J) 10 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. 12 He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.

13 “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love;(K) perhaps they will respect him.’

14 “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

“What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and kill those tenants(L) and give the vineyard to others.”

When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!”

17 Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone’[a]?(M)

18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”(N)

19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him(O) immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.(P)

Paying Taxes to Caesar(Q)

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said,(R) so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.(S) 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.(T) 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

25 He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s,(U) and to God what is God’s.”

26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

The Resurrection and Marriage(V)

27 Some of the Sadducees,(W) who say there is no resurrection,(X) came to Jesus with a question. 28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.(Y) 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30 The second 31 and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

34 Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come(Z) and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children,(AA) since they are children of the resurrection. 37 But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’[b](AB) 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions.(AC)

Whose Son Is the Messiah?(AD)

41 Then Jesus said to them, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David?(AE) 42 David himself declares in the Book of Psalms:

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
43 until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”’[c](AF)

44 David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.(AG) 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

The Widow’s Offering(AH)

21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.(AI) He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”(AJ)

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times(AK)(AL)

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another;(AM) every one of them will be thrown down.”

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.(AN) When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.(AO) 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.(AP)

12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me.(AQ) 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.(AR) 15 For I will give you(AS) words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends,(AT) and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me.(AU) 18 But not a hair of your head will perish.(AV) 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.(AW)

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies,(AX) you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.(AY) 22 For this is the time of punishment(AZ) in fulfillment(BA) of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled(BB) on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.(BC) 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.(BD) 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man(BE) coming in a cloud(BF) with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”(BG)

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God(BH) is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation(BI) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.(BJ)

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life,(BK) and that day will close on you suddenly(BL) like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray(BM) that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple,(BN) and each evening he went out(BO) to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives,(BP) 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.(BQ)

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus(BR)

22 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching,(BS) and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus,(BT) for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan(BU) entered Judas, called Iscariot,(BV) one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard(BW) and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money.(BX) He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

The Last Supper(BY)(BZ)(CA)(CB)(CC)

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.(CD) Jesus sent Peter and John,(CE) saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

“Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.

10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them.(CF) So they prepared the Passover.

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles(CG) reclined at the table.(CH) 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.(CI) 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”(CJ)

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it,(CK) and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant(CL) in my blood, which is poured out for you.[d] 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.(CM) 22 The Son of Man(CN) will go as it has been decreed.(CO) But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.(CP) 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest,(CQ) and the one who rules like the one who serves.(CR) 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.(CS) 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom,(CT) just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom(CU) and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.(CV)

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked(CW) to sift all of you as wheat.(CX) 32 But I have prayed for you,(CY) Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”(CZ)

33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”(DA)

34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals,(DB) did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[e];(DC) and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

“That’s enough!” he replied.

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives(DD)

39 Jesus went out as usual(DE) to the Mount of Olives,(DF) and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”(DG) 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down(DH) and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup(DI) from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”(DJ) 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.(DK) 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[f]

45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”(DL)

Jesus Arrested(DM)

47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”(DN) 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard,(DO) and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts,(DP) and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour(DQ)—when darkness reigns.”(DR)

Peter Disowns Jesus(DS)

54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest.(DT) Peter followed at a distance.(DU) 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”(DV)

60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord(DW) turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”(DX) 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

The Guards Mock Jesus(DY)

63 The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” 65 And they said many other insulting things to him.(DZ)

Jesus Before Pilate and Herod(EA)(EB)(EC)

66 At daybreak the council(ED) of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together,(EE) and Jesus was led before them. 67 “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.”

Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer.(EF) 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”(EG)

70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?”(EH)

He replied, “You say that I am.”(EI)

71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.”

23 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate.(EJ) And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation.(EK) He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar(EL) and claims to be Messiah, a king.”(EM)

So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”(EN)

But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee(EO) and has come all the way here.”

On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean.(EP) When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod,(EQ) who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him.(ER) From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.(ES) 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe,(ET) they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends(EU)—before this they had been enemies.

13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.(EV) 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him(EW) and then release him.” [17] [g]

18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”(EX) 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”(EY)

23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

The Crucifixion of Jesus(EZ)

26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene,(FA) who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.(FB) 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed(FC) for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.(FD) 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’(FE) 30 Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
    and to the hills, “Cover us!”’[h](FF)

31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”(FG)

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.(FH) 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father,(FI) forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[i](FJ) And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(FK)

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him.(FL) They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”(FM)

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him.(FN) They offered him wine vinegar(FO) 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews,(FP) save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.(FQ)

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”(FR)

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”(FS)

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[j](FT)

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”(FU)

The Death of Jesus(FV)

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,(FW) 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple(FX) was torn in two.(FY) 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice,(FZ) “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[k](GA) When he had said this, he breathed his last.(GB)

47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God(GC) and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts(GD) and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee,(GE) stood at a distance,(GF) watching these things.

The Burial of Jesus(GG)

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God.(GH) 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day,(GI) and the Sabbath was about to begin.

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee(GJ) followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes.(GK) But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.(GL)

Jesus Has Risen(GM)

24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared(GN) and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.(GO) While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning(GP) stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:(GQ) ‘The Son of Man(GR) must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’(GS) Then they remembered his words.(GT)

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them(GU) who told this to the apostles.(GV) 11 But they did not believe(GW) the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves,(GX) and he went away,(GY) wondering to himself what had happened.

On the Road to Emmaus

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[l] from Jerusalem.(GZ) 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;(HA) 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.(HB)

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas,(HC) asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,”(HD) they replied. “He was a prophet,(HE) powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers(HF) handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.(HG) And what is more, it is the third day(HH) since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us.(HI) They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”(HJ)

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”(HK) 27 And beginning with Moses(HL) and all the Prophets,(HM) he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.(HN)

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it(HO) and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him,(HP) and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us(HQ) while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures(HR) to us?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord(HS) has risen and has appeared to Simon.”(HT) 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.(HU)

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”(HV)

37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.(HW) 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?

Footnotes

  1. Luke 20:17 Psalm 118:22
  2. Luke 20:37 Exodus 3:6
  3. Luke 20:43 Psalm 110:1
  4. Luke 22:20 Some manuscripts do not have given for you … poured out for you.
  5. Luke 22:37 Isaiah 53:12
  6. Luke 22:44 Many early manuscripts do not have verses 43 and 44.
  7. Luke 23:17 Some manuscripts include here words similar to Matt. 27:15 and Mark 15:6.
  8. Luke 23:30 Hosea 10:8
  9. Luke 23:34 Some early manuscripts do not have this sentence.
  10. Luke 23:42 Some manuscripts come with your kingly power
  11. Luke 23:46 Psalm 31:5
  12. Luke 24:13 Or about 11 kilometers