and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here; if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias." 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and, béhold, a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6 And when the disciples heard it they fell on their faces, and were sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief; for verily 1 say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit, this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. 22 ¶ And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men ; 23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry. 24 ¶ And when they were come to Caper'naum, they that received tribute-money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your Master pay tribute? 8 And when they had lifted up their 25 He saith, Yes. And when he eyes they saw no man, save Jesus only. was come into the house Jesus pre9 And, as they came down from the vented him, saying, What thinkest mountain, Jesus charged them, say- thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings ing, Tell the vision to no man, until of the earth take custom or tribute? the Son of man be risen again from of their own children, or of strangers? the dead. 26 Peter saith unto him, Of stran10 And his disciples asked him, say-gers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are ing, Why then say the scribes that the children free.4 Elias must first come? 11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not; but have done unto him whatsoever they listed ;2 likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. 14 T And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son; for he is lunatic, and sore vexed; for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation! 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money; that take, and give unto them for me and thee. Questions. Who were present at our Lord's transfiguration? Who appeared unto them? By what name did our Lord call John the Baptist? What miracle is mentioned? Why could not the disciples perform it? 23d? How did Jesus provide that tribute should be paid? CHAP. XVIII. 1 Jesus teacheth to be humble. 7 Touching offences, 21 and forgiving one another. AT the same time came the disci how long shall I be with you? how long ples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the shall I suffer you? Bring him hither greatest in the kingdom of heaven? to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil, and he departed out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 1 Tabernacle, a place of public worship of temporary residence; a tent. 2 Listed, pleased. 3 Tribute, toll or tax. 4 Children free. To understand this verse and the others in connexion, it should be remembered, that the tribute here exacted was or for the support of the temple, from which Jesus, as being the Son of God, whose house the temple was, ought to have been exempted. 29 2 And Jesus called a little child unto them, tell it unto the church; but if him and set him in the midst of them, he neglect to hear the church, let him 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, be unto thee as an heathen man and Except ye be converted, and become a publican.5 as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 ¶ Wo unto the world because of offences for it must needs be that offences come; but wo to that man by whom the offence cometh ! 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 21 T Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven. 8 Wherefore, if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life halt3 cr maimed, ra- 23 Therefore is the kingdom of ther than having two hands, or two heaven likened unto a certain king, feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. which would take account of his ser9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire. 10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, He rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. vants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents.8 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant, therefore, fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants which owed him an hundred pence ;9 and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellow-servant fell down 14 Even so, it is not the will of your at his feet, and besought him, saying, Father which is in heaven, that one Have patience with me, and I will of these little ones should perish. pay thee all. 15 T Moreover, if thy brother shall 30 And he would not; but went and trespass against thee, go and tell him cast him into prison till he should pay his fault between thee and him alone; the debt. if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear 1 As little children, humble and teachable. 4 Heathen, a Pagan or idolater. 5 Publican, a Roman tax-gatherer. 6 Ye shall bind, ye shall loose, &c. Whatever you shall determine upon earth agreeably to my directions, shall be approved and confirmed by God in heaven. 7 Touching, concerning. 8 Talent, above 1500 dollars; 10,000 talents were above 1517 millions. 9 One hundred pence, about fourteen dollars. 30 what was done they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 31 So when his fellow-servants saw 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery; and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? 10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors,10 till he 12 For there are some eunuchs, should pay all that was due unto him. which were so born from their mo35 So likewise shall my heavenly ther's womb; and there are some euFather do also unto you, if ye from nuchs, which were made eunuchs of your hearts forgive not every one his men; and there be eunuchs, which brother their trespasses. have made themselves eunuchs for Questions. What must we do in order to the kingdom of heaven's sake. He enter into the kingdom of heaven? that is able to receive it, let him receive it. Who are constantly present with little children to dispense to them the gifts of the Lord? see verse 10. For what did the Son of man come ? What should we do when our brother injures us? What encouragement have we to agree in supplicating for divine favours? verses 19, 20. How often should we forgive injuries! What parable is given? 13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.* 14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. 16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eter CHAP. XIX. 2 Jesus healeth the sick, 3 answereth the Pharisees touching divorcement. 16 How to attain everlasting life. AND it came to pass, that when Je-nal life? sus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond Jordan: 2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. 3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female; 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What, therefore, God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God; but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the command ments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up; what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me. 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not so. kingdom of heaven. 22 But when the young man heard that saying he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. 10 Tormentors, jailers. 23 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man1 6 And about the eleventh hour he to enter into the kingdom of God. went out, and found others standing 25 When his disciples heard it idle, and saith unto them, Why stand they were exceedingly amazed, say-ye here all the day idle? ing, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 27 ¶ Then answered Peter, and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 7 They say unto him, Because, no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have 9 And when they came that were followed me, in the regeneration2 when hired about the eleventh hour, they the Son of man shall sit in the throne received every man a penny. of his glory, ye also shall sit upon 10 But when the first came, they twelve thrones judging the twelve supposed that they should have retribes of Israel. ceived more; and they likewise received every man a perny. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30 But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.3 Questions. What is declared necessary in order to enter into eternal life? v. 17. Is it easy for those who love riches to be saved? CHAP. XX. 1 Of the labourers in the vineyard. 20 Jesus teacheth his disciples to be lowly. FOR the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a-day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And when he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market-place, 4 And said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5 Again he went out about the sixthe and ninth hour,3 and did likewise. 11 And when they had received it they murmured against the good man of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong; didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is," and go thy way; I will give unto this last even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evils because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last; for many be called, but few chosen. 17 And Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him; and the third day he shall rise again. 20 T Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What 33 They say unto him, Lord, that wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant our eyes may be opened. that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able9 to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the_baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand and on my left, is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them10 for whom it is prepared of my Father. 24 And when the ten heard it they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you; but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant : 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto,11 but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 29 T And as they departed from Jericho a great multitude followed him. 30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way-side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. Questions. What did Jesus foretel again in verses 17, 18, and 19? Who were the sons of Zebedee? see chapter iv. verse 21. 1 What did their mother request? CHAP. XXI. Jesus rideth into Jerusalem on an ass, 12 and casteth out the buyers and sellers. rusalem, and were come to BethAND when they drew nigh unto Jephage,1 unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her; loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought2 unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. be fulfilled which was spoken by the 4 All this was done, that it might prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, and put on them their clothes; and 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, they set him thereon. 31 And the multitude rebuked them, their garments in the way; others cut 8 And a very great multitude spread because they should hold their peace; but they cried the more, saying, Have down branches from the trees, and mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of Da-strewed them in the way. vid. I 32 And Jesus stood still and called them, and said, What will ye that shall do unto you? 9 And the multitudes that went be fore, and that followed, cried, saying, 9 Are ye able to drink of the cup of suffer-rusalem all the city was moved, saying, that I shall drink of, and to be baptized, or to endure the trials and afflictions, that Iing, Who is this? shall endure ? 10 The words in italics in verse 23, totally change the sense of the text, and should not be read. By reading the text without these words, the meaning will appear to be this: "is not mine to give except to those for whom it is prepared of my Father." Our Saviour does not bestow eternal life arbitrarily. He came to save only those who love God and keep his commandments. 11 Not to be ministered unto, not to be served or waited upon, but to serve. 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. 1 Beth'-fa-je. 2 Ought, any thing. 3 Hosanna, save, we beseech thee; may God save and prosper him. 4 Lord, in the Hebrew Jehovah. The He brew word for Jehovah is translated in the New Testament by the word Lord, which is frequently applied to Jesus Christ. |