Psalm 6

Psalm 6

Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger

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For the choir director. With stringed instruments.
According to sheminith. ^[1] A psalm by David.

Anxious Prayer

Confident Trust

Psalm 5

Psalm 5

With You the Wicked Cannot Dwell

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For the choir director. For flutes. A psalm by David.

Access in Prayer

No Access

Access in Prayer

Lying Tongues

Praising Tongues

Psalm 3 – 4

Psalm 3

How Many Are My Foes, But You Are My Shield

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A psalm by David. When he fled from Absalom, ^[1] his son.

Many Enemies

One Protector

Peaceful Rest

Certain Victory

Psalm 4

My Righteous God, Give Me Relief

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For the choir director. With stringed instruments. A psalm by David.

A Prayer to God

A Rebuke to Enemies

Advice to Friends

Closing Prayer

Psalm 1 – 2

Book I
Psalms 1–41

Psalm 1

Two Responses to God’s Word

The Way of the Godly Leads to Blessing

The Way of the Ungodly Leads to Destruction

Conclusion

Psalm 2

The Nations Conspire, But God’s King Rules Securely

The Futile Rebellion of the Nations

The Reaction of the Lord

The Powerful Rule of God’s King

The Lesson to Be Learned

Luke 24:36-53

Luke 24

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

³⁶ As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

³⁷ But they were terrified and frightened and thought they were looking at a ghost.

³⁸ He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” ⁴⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹ While they still did not believe it (because of their joy), and while they were still wondering, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb. ^{[1] 43} He took it and ate in front of them. ⁴⁴ He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He said to them, “This is what is written and so it must be: ^[2] The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ Look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Jesus Ascends Into Heaven

⁵⁰ He led them out as far as the vicinity of Bethany. He lifted up his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹ And while he was blessing them, he parted from them and was taken up into heaven. ⁵² So they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. ⁵³ They were continually in the temple courts, praising and ^[3] blessing God. Amen. ^[4]

Luke 24:13-35

Luke 24

On the Way to Emmaus

¹³ Now, on that same day, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles ^[1] from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about all of these things that had happened. ¹⁵ While they were talking and discussing this, Jesus himself approached and began to walk along with them. ¹⁶ But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷ He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk along?” Saddened, they stopped.

¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

¹⁹ “What things?” he asked them.

They replied, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be condemned to death. And they crucified him. ²¹ But we were hoping that he was going to redeem Israel. Not only that, but besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. ²² Also some women of our group amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning. ²³ When they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. ²⁴ Some of those who were with us went to the tomb. They found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.”

²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter his glory?” ²⁷ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

²⁸ As they approached the village where they were going, he acted as if he were going to travel farther. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, since it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.”

So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰ When he reclined at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and began giving it to them. ³¹ Suddenly their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. Then he vanished from their sight. ³² They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was speaking to us along the road and while he was explaining the Scriptures to us?” ³³ They got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those who were with them assembled together. ³⁴ They were saying, “The Lord really has been raised! He has appeared to Simon.” ³⁵ They themselves described what had happened along the road, and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

Luke 24:1-12

Luke 24

The Resurrection

¹ On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women ^[1] went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. ² They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. ³ When they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothing. ⁵ The women were terrified and bowed down with their faces to the ground.

The men said to them, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how he told you while he was still in Galilee ⁷ that the Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again?” ⁸ Then they remembered his words.

⁹ When they returned from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. ¹⁰ It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. ¹¹ Yet these words seemed to them like nonsense, and they did not believe them. ¹² But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over to look in, he saw only the strips of linen cloth. He went home, amazed at what had happened.

Luke 23:44-56

Luke 23

Jesus’ Death

⁴⁴ It was now about the sixth hour, ^[1] and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, ^{[2] 45} while the sun was darkened. Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” ^[3] When he had said this, he breathed his last.

⁴⁷ When the centurion saw what had happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous.” ⁴⁸ When all the groups of people who had gathered to see this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their chests. ⁴⁹ All those who knew Jesus, and the women who followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Jesus’ Burial

⁵⁰ Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man. ⁵¹ He had not agreed with their plan and action. He was looking forward to the kingdom of God. ⁵² This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. ⁵³ He took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb that was cut out of rock, where no one had yet been laid. ⁵⁴ It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning. ⁵⁵ The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed after Joseph, and they observed the tomb and how his body was laid there. ⁵⁶ Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Luke 23:26-43

Luke 23

The Crucifixion

²⁶ As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country. They placed the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷ A large crowd of people was following him, including women who were mourning and wailing for him. ²⁸ Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ Be sure of this: The days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never gave birth, and the breasts that never nursed.’ ³⁰ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ ^{[1] 31} For if they do these things to the green wood, what will happen to the dry?”

³² Two other men, who were criminals, were led away with Jesus to be executed.

³³ When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on his right and the other on his left.

³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

They cast lots to divide his garments among them. ³⁵ The people stood watching. The rulers were ridiculing him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, the Chosen One!”

³⁶ The soldiers also made fun of him. Coming up to him, they offered him sour wine, ³⁷ saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”

³⁸ There was also an inscription written above him: “This is the King of the Jews.”

³⁹ One of the criminals hanging there was blaspheming him, saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same condemnation? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me ^[2] when you come in ^[3] your kingdom.”

⁴³ Jesus said to him, “Amen I tell you: Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:13-25

Luke 23

¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who is misleading the people. Look, I have examined him in your presence. I have found in this man no basis for the charges you are bringing against him. ¹⁵ Herod did not either, for he sent him back to us. ^[1] See, he has done nothing worthy of death. ¹⁶ So I will have him flogged and release him.”

Barabbas or Jesus?

¹⁷ Pilate needed to release one prisoner to them at the Festival. ^{[2] 18} But they all shouted together with one voice: “Take him away! Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ Barabbas had been thrown in prison for a rebellion in the city and for murder.

²⁰ Pilate addressed them again, because he wanted to release Jesus. ²¹ But they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!”

²² He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found no grounds for sentencing him to death. So I will whip him and release him.” ²³ But they kept pressuring him with loud voices, demanding that he be crucified. And their voices ^[3] were overwhelming. ²⁴ So Pilate decided that what they demanded would be done. ²⁵ He released the one they had asked for, who had been thrown in prison for rebellion and murder, but he handed Jesus over to their will.

Luke 22:63 – 23:12

Luke 22

The Guards Mock Jesus

⁶³ The men who were holding Jesus in custody mocked him while they were beating him. ⁶⁴ They blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” ⁶⁵ And they went on saying many other blasphemous things against him.

Jewish Court

⁶⁶ As soon as it was day, the council of the elders of the people met together, both the chief priests and experts in the law. They brought him into their Sanhedrin and said, ⁶⁷ “If you are the Christ, tell us.”

But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, ⁶⁸ and if I ask you, you will not answer me or release me. ^{[1] 69} But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” ^[2]

⁷⁰ They all said, “Are you then the Son of God?”

He said to them, “I am what you are saying.”

⁷¹ Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? For we ourselves have heard it from his own mouth!”

Jesus’ Trial in Pilate’s Court

Luke 23

¹ The whole group of them got up and brought him before Pilate. ² They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this fellow misleading our nation, forbidding the payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

³ Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

“It is as you say,” Jesus replied.

⁴ Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

⁵ But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people, teaching all through Judea, beginning from Galilee all the way here.”

Pilate Sends Jesus to Herod

⁶ When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. ⁷ When he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.

⁸ When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad. For a long time, he had wanted to see him, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle performed by him. ⁹ He questioned him with many words, but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ The chief priests and the experts in the law stood there, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹ Herod, along with his soldiers, treated him with contempt and ridiculed him. Dressing him in bright clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. ¹² Herod and Pilate became friends with each other on that day. Before this they had been enemies of each other.

Luke 22:47-62

Luke 22

Jesus’ Arrest

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd appeared, and the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him. ⁴⁸ But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

⁴⁹ When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, should we strike with a sword?” ⁵⁰ Then one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

⁵¹ But Jesus responded, “Stop! No more of this!” Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him. ⁵² Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as you would against a robber, with swords and clubs? ⁵³ Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour—when darkness rules.”

⁵⁴ Then they seized him, led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house.

Peter Denies Jesus

Peter followed at a distance. ⁵⁵ When they had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. ⁵⁶ A servant girl saw him sitting near the light. She looked closely at him and said, “This man also was with him.”

⁵⁷ But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.”

⁵⁸ After a little while someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them!”

But Peter answered, “Man, I am not!”

⁵⁹ After about one hour had passed, someone else was firmly insisting, “Truly this man was with him too, because he is a Galilean!”

⁶⁰ But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” At that very moment, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹ The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today you will deny me three times.” ⁶² He went outside and wept bitterly.

Luke 22:31-46

Luke 22

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

³¹ The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, pay attention: Satan has asked to have you all, so that he may sift you as wheat. ³² But I prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have returned to me, strengthen your brothers.”

³³ He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!”

³⁴ But Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know me.”

³⁵ He said to them, “When I sent you out without money bag, traveler’s bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they said.

³⁶ Then he told them, “But now, let the one who has a money bag take it, and likewise a traveler’s bag. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. ³⁷ For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ ^[1] Indeed, what is written about me is going to have its fulfillment.”

³⁸ They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.”

He said to them, “That is enough.”

Gethsemane

³⁹ Jesus left and went out to the Mount of Olives, as was his custom. His disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ When he reached the place, he told them, “Keep praying that you may not enter into temptation.”

⁴¹ He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ⁴² “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.”

⁴³ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴ As he was in agony, he prayed more fervently. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. ^[2]

⁴⁵ When he rose from prayer, he went to the disciples and found them sleeping as a result of sorrow. ⁴⁶ He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and keep praying so that you may not enter into temptation.”

Luke 22:14-30

Luke 22

¹⁴ When the hour had come, Jesus reclined at the table with the twelve apostles. ¹⁵ He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, ¹⁶ for I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

¹⁷ He took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves, ¹⁸ for I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

The Lord’s Supper

¹⁹ He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁰ In the same way, he took the cup after the supper, saying, “This cup is the new testament ^[1] in my blood, which is being poured out for you.

One Will Betray Jesus

²¹ “But look, the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. ²² The Son of Man is going to go as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”

²³ They began to discuss with one another which of them it was who was going to do this.

Who Is Greatest?

²⁴ A dispute arose among the disciples about which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵ But he told them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called Benefactors. ²⁶ But it is not to be that way with you. Instead, let the greatest among you become like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. ²⁷ For who is greater, one who reclines at the table or one who serves? Isn’t it the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ²⁸ You are those who have remained with me in my trials. ²⁹ I am going to grant a kingdom to you, just as my Father granted to me, ³⁰ so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Luke 22:1-13

Luke 22

The Plot to Kill Jesus

¹ The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. ² The chief priests and the experts in the law were trying to find some way to put Jesus to death, because they were afraid of the people. ³ Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. ⁴ He went away and spoke with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard about how he could betray Jesus to them. ⁵ They were glad and agreed to give him money. ⁶ He promised to do it and was looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them away from the crowd.

Jesus Celebrates the Passover

⁷ The day of Unleavened Bread arrived, when it was necessary to sacrifice the Passover lamb. ⁸ Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.”

⁹ They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?”

¹⁰ He told them, “Just as you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters. ¹¹ Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ ¹² He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.” ¹³ They went and found things just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Luke 21:25-38

Luke 21

²⁵ “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And on the earth nations will be in anguish, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the surging waves, ²⁶ people fainting from fear and expectation of the things coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ^{[1] 28} But when these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”

²⁹ He told them a parable. “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. ³⁰ As soon as they are sprouting leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is actually near. ³¹ So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. ³² Amen I tell you: This generation ^[2] will not pass away until all these things happen. ³³ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Be Ready!

³⁴ “Watch yourselves or else your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the worries of this life, and that day may come on you suddenly. ^{[3] 35} For it will come like a trap on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Stay alert all the time, praying that you may be able to escape all these things that are going to happen and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

³⁷ During the days, Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, and each night he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives. ³⁸ And all the people came early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts.

Luke 21:1-24

Luke 21

The Poor Widow Gave More

¹ Jesus looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the offering box. ² He saw a poor widow there putting in two small coins. ^{[1] 3} He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than everyone, ⁴ for all these put in some of their leftovers as gifts to God, ^[2] but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.”

The Destruction of Jerusalem and the End of the World

⁵ As some were talking about the temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and offerings, Jesus said, ⁶ “These things that you see here—the days will come when there will not be one stone left on another—every one will be thrown down.”

⁷ They asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen? And what is the sign that these things are about to happen?”

⁸ He said, “Watch out so that you are not deceived! For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. ⁹ Whenever you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end will not be right then.”

¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be horrifying sights and great signs from heaven. ¹² But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, handing you over to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. ¹³ It will turn out to be your opportunity to testify. ¹⁴ So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand how to defend yourselves, ¹⁵ for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. ¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, ^[3] relatives, and friends. They will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ You will be hated by all people for my name’s sake. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ By patient endurance you will gain your lives.

²⁰ “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. ²¹ Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are inside the city get out. Let those who are in the country not enter the city. ²² For these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that has been written. ²³ How terrible it will be for those who are pregnant and nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. ²⁴ They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken captive to all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Luke 19:47 – 20:47

Luke 19

⁴⁷ Every day he was teaching in the temple courts, but the chief priests, the experts in the law, and the leaders of the people continued to look for a way to put him to death. ⁴⁸ They could not find any way to do it, because all the people were clinging to him and listening.

Jesus’ Authority Is Questioned

Luke 20

¹ One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the good news, the chief priests and experts in the law came to him with the elders. ² They asked him, “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things. Or who is the one who gave you this authority?”

³ He answered them, “I will also ask you one question. Tell me: ⁴ the baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?”

⁵ They discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ ⁶ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” ⁷ So they answered that they did not know where it was from.

⁸ Jesus said to them, “Neither am I going to tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

⁹ He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to some tenant farmers, and went away on a journey for a long time. ¹⁰ When it was the right time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenant farmers beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. ¹¹ The man went ahead and sent yet another servant, but they also beat him, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. ¹² He then sent yet a third. They also wounded him and threw him out. ¹³ The owner of the vineyard said, ‘What should I do? I will send my son, whom I love. Perhaps they will respect him.’

¹⁴ “But when the tenant farmers saw him, they talked it over with one another. They said, ‘This is the heir. Let’s kill him, so that the inheritance will be ours.’ ¹⁵ They threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. So what will the owner of the vineyard do to them? ¹⁶ He will come and destroy those tenant farmers and give the vineyard to others.”

When they heard this, they said, “May it never be!”

¹⁷ But he looked at them and said, “Then what about this that is written:

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone? ^[1]

¹⁸ “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush the one on whom it falls.”

¹⁹ That very hour the chief priests and the experts in the law began looking for a way to lay hands on him, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

Paying Taxes to Caesar

²⁰ They watched him carefully and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, so that they could trap Jesus in something he said, and then deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor. ²¹ They questioned him, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right and show no partiality to anyone, but you teach the way of God on the basis of the truth. ²² Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

²³ But he was aware of their deceit and said to them, ²⁴ “Show me a denarius. ^[2] Whose image and inscription are on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they answered.

²⁵ He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

²⁶ They were not able to trap him in what he said in the presence of the people. They were amazed at his answer and became silent.

The God of the Living

²⁷ Some of the Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to him. ²⁸ They asked him a question, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies leaving a wife but no children, his brother should take the wife and raise up children for his brother. ^{[3] 29} So there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died childless. ³⁰ The second took her as a wife, ^{[4] 31} and so did the third, and in the same way the seven died and left no children. ³² Finally the woman died too. ³³ So in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as a wife.”

³⁴ Jesus said to them, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. ³⁵ But those who are considered worthy to experience that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. ³⁶ In fact, they cannot die any more, for they are like the angels. They are sons of God, because they are sons of the resurrection.

³⁷ “Even Moses showed in the account about the burning bush that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord: ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ ^{[5] 38} He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.”

³⁹ Some of the experts in the law answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” ⁴⁰ Then they no longer dared to ask him anything.

David’s Son and David’s Lord

⁴¹ Jesus said to them, “How is it that they say that the Christ is David’s son? ⁴² David himself says in the book of Psalms:

⁴⁴ “So David calls him ‘Lord.’ Then how is he his son?”

Beware

⁴⁵ While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, ⁴⁶ “Beware of the experts in the law, who like to walk around in long robes and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁷ They devour widows’ houses and offer long prayers to look good. They will receive greater condemnation.”