JESUS Sends Out the Twelve Apostles.

Calling HIS twelve disciples together, HE gave them authority over unclean spirits, with the power to drive them out and to cure every kind of disease and illness.

       These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed HIM.

       These twelve JESUS sent forth after giving them the following instructions: "Do not travel to the territory of the Gentiles, and enter no Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. And as you go, proclaim: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. You received without payment; give in the same way. Take along no gold or silver or copper in your purses, no sack for your journey, or an extra tunic, or sandals, or a staff. For the laborer deserves his keep.

       "Whatever town or village you enter, look for some honorable person who lives there, and stay with him until you leave. As you enter a house, extend your blessing upon it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your message, shake the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Amen, I say to you, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 1 - 15

No Servant is above His Master.

       "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as cunning as serpents and yet as innocent as doves. Be on your guard, for people will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be brought before governors and kings because of ME to testify before them and the Gentiles.

       "When they hand you over, do not be concerned about how you are to speak or what you are to say. When the time comes, you will be given what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but THE SPIRIT of your FATHER speaking through you.

       "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of MY name, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not have finished traveling through all the towns of Israel before THE SON OF MAN comes.

       "No student is greater than his teacher, nor a servant greater than his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher and the servant like his master. If they have called THE MASTER of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of HIS household?

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 16 - 25

The Conditions of Discipleship.

       "Therefore, do not be afraid of them. There is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, proclaim in the daylight, and what you hear whispered, shout from the housetops.

       "Have no fear of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear THE ONE who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

       "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them can fall to the ground without your FATHER'S knowledge. Even the hairs on your head have all been counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth far more than any number of sparrows.

       "Whoever acknowledges ME before men, I will also acknowledge before MY FATHER in heaven. But whoever denies ME before men, I also will deny before MY HEAVENLY FATHER.

       "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword.

       For I have come to set a man against his father,

          a daughter against her mother,

       and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

          and one's enemies will be the members of his own household.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 26 - 36

Whoever Receives You Receives ME.

       "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than ME is not worthy of ME, and anyone who loves his son or daughter more than ME is not worthy of ME, and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow ME is not worthy of ME. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for MY sake will find it.

       "Whoever receives you receives ME; and whoever receives ME receives THE ONE who sent ME. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, amen, I say to you, he will not go unrewarded."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 37 - 42

Report to John What You Hear and See.

When JESUS had finished giving these instructions to HIS twelve disciples, HE moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.

       When John who was in prison heard what CHRIST was doing, he sent his disciples to ask HIM, "Are YOU THE ONE who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" JESUS answered them, "Go back and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at ME."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 1 - 6

John is the Elijah Who Was Destined To Return.

       As John's disciples were departing, JESUS spoke to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swaying in the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone robed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are found in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:

       'Behold, I am sending MY messenger ahead of YOU,

          who will prepare YOUR way before YOU.'

       "Amen, I say to you, among those born of women, no one has been greater than John the Baptist, and yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and the violent are taking it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until the arrival of John. And if you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was destined to return. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 7 - 15

Indecisive Children.

       "To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another:

       'We played the flute for you,

          but you would not dance;

       we sang a dirge,

          and you refused to mourn.'

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, 'He is possessed.' THE SON OF MAN came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' Yet wisdom is proved right by her actions."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 16 - 19

Woe to the Cities of Galilee.

       Then HE began to reproach the cities in which most of HIS mighty deeds had been performed because they had refused to repent. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the mighty deeds performed in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And as for you, Capernaum:

       'Will you be exalted to heaven?

          You will be cast down to the netherworld.'

For if the mighty deeds performed in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would be standing to this day. But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 20 - 24

The Self-Revelation of JESUS.

       At that time, JESUS said, "I thank YOU, FATHER, LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, because YOU have hidden these things from the wise and the learned and have revealed them to children. Yes, FATHER, such has been YOUR gracious will.

       "All things have been entrusted to ME by MY FATHER. No one knows THE SON except THE FATHER, and no one knows THE FATHER except THE SON and those to whom THE SON wishes to reveal HIM.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 25 - 27

The Gentle Mastery of CHRIST.

       "Come to ME, all you who are weary and overburdened, and I will give you rest. Take MY yoke upon you and learn from ME, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For MY yoke is easy and MY burden is light."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 28 - 30

Picking Grain on the Sabbath.

At that time, JESUS was walking through a field of grain on the Sabbath. HIS disciples were hungry, and they began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to HIM, "Look at Your disciples. They are doing what is forbidden on the Sabbath."

       HE answered, "Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of GOD and they ate the consecrated bread, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests were permitted to eat. Or have you not read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath, but they are considered to be without guilt? I tell you, one greater than the temple is here. If you had truly understood what is meant by the words, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned these men who are without guilt. For THE SON OF MAN is LORD of the Sabbath."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 1 - 8

The Man with a Withered Hand.

       Moving on from that place, JESUS entered their synagogue. A man was there who had a withered hand, and hoping to find some reason to accuse JESUS they asked HIM, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"

       HE said to them, "Suppose you had only one sheep and it fell into a pit on the Sabbath. Would you not lay hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable a man is than a sheep! Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then HE said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and it was restored, so that it was as sound as the other one. But the Pharisees went out and began to plot how they might put HIM to death.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 9 - 14

THE SERVANT OF THE LORD.

       When JESUS became aware of this, HE departed from that place. Many people followed HIM, and HE healed all who were ill, but HE warned them not to make HIM known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

       "Behold, MY servant, whom I have chosen,

          MY beloved in whom I delight.

       I will place MY spirit upon HIM,

          and HE will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

       HE will not cry out or shout,

          nor will anyone hear HIS voice in the streets.

       A bruised reed HE will not break,

          nor will HE snuff out a smoldering wick,

       until HE establishes justice as victorious;

          and in HIS name the Gentiles will place their hope."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 15 - 21

Whoever is Not with ME is against ME.

       Then they brought to HIM a man who was unable to either see or speak and who was possessed by a demon. HE cured him, so that the man who was mute both spoke and saw. All the people were astonished, and they said, "Is this not THE SON OF DAVID?" But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons."

       HE knew what they were thinking, and HE said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself cannot survive. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom survive? If it is by Beelzebul that I cast out demons, by whom do your own children cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if it is by THE SPIRIT OF GOD that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of GOD has come to you.

       "Or again, how can anyone break into a strong man's house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then indeed he can ransack the house.

       "Whoever is not with ME is against ME, and whoever does not gather with ME scatters. Therefore, I tell you that every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven but blasphemy against THE SPIRIT will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against THE SON OF MAN will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against THE HOLY SPIRIT will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 22 - 32

A Tree and Its Fruits.

       "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad. For a tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can your speech be virtuous when you yourselves are evil? For the mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart. A good man brings forth good things from the good stored up within him, but an evil man brings forth evil things from his store of evil. I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to render an account for every careless word they utter. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 33 - 37

The Sign of Jonah.

       Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to HIM, "Teacher, we would like you to show us a sign." HE replied, "An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but the only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will THE SON OF MAN be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

       "On the day of judgment the inhabitants of Nineveh will rise up with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here. On the day of judgment the queen of the south will rise up with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the farthest reaches of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now one greater than Solomon is here.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 38 - 42

New Offensive from the Evil Spirit.

       "When an unclean spirit goes out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions seeking a place to rest, but it finds none. Then it says, 'I will return to the home from which I departed.' And when it returns, it finds that home empty, swept clean, and put in order. Then it goes off and brings back with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they enter and settle there. As a result, the plight of that person is worse than before. So it will also be with this evil generation."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 43 - 45

The True Family of JESUS.

       While HE was still speaking to the crowds, HIS mother and HIS brethren appeared. They were standing outside, wishing to speak with HIM. [Someone told HIM, "Behold, YOUR mother and YOUR brothers are standing outside. They want to speak with YOU."] But JESUS replied to that man, "Who is MY mother? Who are MY brethren?" Then, pointing to HIS disciples, HE said, "Behold, MY mother and MY brethren. Whoever does the will of MY HEAVENLY FATHER is MY brother and sister and mother."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 46 - 50

The Day of Parables.

That same day JESUS went out of the house and sat by the side of the lake. However, such large crowds gathered around HIM that HE got into a boat and sat down while all the people stood on the shore. Then HE told them many things in parables.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 1 - 3

The Parable of the Sower.

       HE said: "A sower went out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. They sprouted quickly, since the soil had very little depth, but when the sun rose they were scorched, and since they lacked roots, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. But some seeds fell on rich soil and produced a crop--some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear!"

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 3 - 9

The Reason for Parables.

       Then HIs disciples approached and asked HIM, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" HE replied, "To you has been granted knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. To the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance. As for the one who does not have, even what little he has will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that they see but do not perceive and they listen but do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:

       'You will indeed hear but not understand,

          you will indeed look but never see.

       For this people's heart has become hardened;

          they have stopped up their ears

          and they have shut their eyes,

       so that they might not see with their eyes

          and hear with their ears

       and understand with their heart

          and then turn to me,

          and I would heal them.'

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 10 - 15

The Privilege of Discipleship.

       "But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 16 & 17

The Explanation of the Parable of the Sower.

       "Therefore listen to the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart; that is the seed sown on the path. As for the seed sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. But such a person has no deep root, and he endures for only a short time. When some trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, he immediately falls away.

       "The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but worldly cares and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. However, the seed sown in rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirty times what was sown."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 18 - 23

The Parable of the Weeds.

       HE then proposed another parable to them: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep, his enemy came, sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. When the wheat sprouted and ripened, the weeds also appeared.

       "The owner's servants came to him and asked, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where then did these weeds come from?' He answered, 'One of my enemies has done this.' The servants then asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull up the weeds?'

       "He replied, 'No, because in gathering the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time, I will tell the reapers, "Collect the weeds first and tie them in bundles to be burned. Then gather the wheat into my barn." ' "

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 24 - 30

The Parable of the Mustard Seed.

       HE proposed still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of plants and becomes a tree large enough for the birds to come and make nests in its branches."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 31 & 32

The Parable of the Yeast.

       And HE offered them yet another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until it was completely leavened."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSE 33

The Use of Parables.

       JESUS told the crowds all these things in parables. Indeed HE never spoke to them except in parables. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:

       "I will open MY mouth to speak in parables;

       I will proclaim what has been hidden since the foundation of the world."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 34 & 35

Explanation of the Parable of the Weeds.

       Then HE dismissed the crowds and went into the house. HIS disciples approached HIM and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." HE answered, "The one who sows good seed is THE SON OF MAN. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are angels.

       "Just as the weeds are collected and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the world. THE SON OF MAN will send forth HIS angels, and they will gather out of HIS kingdom all who cause sin and all whose deeds are evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their FATHER. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 36 - 43

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl.

       "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure buried in a field, which a man found and buried again. Then in his joy he went off and sold everything he had and bought that field.

       "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went off and sold everything he had and bought it.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 44 - 46

The Parable of the Net.

       "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea where it caught fish of every kind. When it was full, they hauled it ashore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish into baskets but discarded those that were worthless. Thus will it be at the end of the world. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 47 - 50

Conclusion.

       "Have you understood all this?" HE asked. They answered, "Yes." Then HE said to them, "Therefore, every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings forth from his storeroom new treasures as well as old."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 51 & 52

JESUS Is Rejected at Nazareth.

       When JESUS had finished these parables, HE departed from that district.

       HE came to HIS hometown, and HE began to teach the people in the synagogue. They were astonished and wondered, "Where did this man get such wisdom and these mighty deeds? Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? Are not James and Joseph and Simon and Judas his brethren? And are not all his sisters here with us? Where then did this man get all this?" And so they took offense at him.

       But JESUS said to them, "A prophet is always treated with honor except in his hometown and in his own house." And HE did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 53 - 58

John the Baptist, Herod, and JESUS.

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard reports about JESUS, and he said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead. That is why such powers are at work in him."

       Now Herod had ordered the arrest of John, put him in chains, and imprisoned him on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John had told him, "It is against the law for you to have her."

       Herod wanted to put John to death, but he was afraid of the people because they regarded John as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias danced in front of the guests, and she pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her anything she asked for. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

       The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests present there, he ordered that her request be granted. He had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. John's disciples came and removed the body and buried it. Then they went and told JESUS.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 1 - 12

JESUS Feeds Five Thousand Men.

       When JESUS received this news, HE withdrew from there in a boat by HIMSELF to a deserted place, but when the people learned of it, they followed HIM on foot from the towns. When HE came ashore and saw the vast crowd, HE had compassion on them and healed those who were sick.

       When evening approached, the disciples came up to HIM and said, "This is a deserted place and the hour is now late. Send the people away now so that they can go to the villages to buy some food for themselves." JESUS replied, "There is no need for them to depart. Give them something to eat yourselves." But they answered, "All we have here are five loaves of bread and two fish." JESUS said, "Bring them here to ME."

       Then HE ordered the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, HE looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. Then they gathered up the fragments that were left over--twelve full baskets. Those who had eaten numbered about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 13 - 21

JESUS Walks on the Water.

       Then JESUS instructed the disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while HE dismissed the crowds. After HE sent them away, HE went by HIMSELF up on the mountain to pray. When evening came, HE was there alone. Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from the shore, battered by waves and a strong wind.

       During the fourth watch of the night, JESUS came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw HIM walking on the water they were terrified, and they cried out in their fright, "It is a ghost!" But JESUS immediately spoke to them, saying, "Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid."

       Peter answered, "LORD, if it is YOU, command me to come to YOU across the water." HE said, "Come!" Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward JESUS. But when he realized the force of the wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he cried out, "LORD, save me!" JESUS immediately reached out HIS hand and caught hold of him, saying, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those in the boat fell to their knees in worship, saying, "Truly YOU are THE SON OF GOD."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 22 - 33

JESUS Heals the Sick at Gennesaret.

       After they had completed the crossing, they landed at Gennesaret. When the people there recognized HIM, they sent word of HIS presence throughout the region. They also brought HIM all those who were sick and begged HIM to let them touch only the edge of HIS cloak. All who touched it were completely healed.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 34 - 36

Traditions That Falsify the Law of GOD.

Then Pharisees and scribes came to JESUS from Jerusalem and asked, "Why do your disciples ignore the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before eating." HE answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of GOD for the sake of your tradition? For GOD said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and 'Whoever curses his father or mother shall be put to death.' But you say, 'If anyone says to his father or mother, "Anything I might have used for your support is dedicated to GOD," then he is excused from his duty to honor his father or mother.' To uphold your tradition you have made GOD's word null and void. You hypocrites! How rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you when he said:

       'This people honors ME with their lips,

          but their hearts are far from ME;

       in vain do they worship ME,

          teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 1 - 9

Clean and Unclean.

       Then HE called the people to HIM and said to them, "Listen and understand. It is not what goes into one's mouth that defiles a person; what comes out of the mouth is what defiles him."

       The disciples approached and said to HIM, "Do YOU realize that the Pharisees were greatly offended when they heard what YOU said?" HE answered, "Every plant that MY FATHER has not planted will be uprooted. Leave them alone. They are blind guides. And if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a pit."

       Peter said to HIM, "Explain that parable to us." JESUS replied, "Are even you still without understanding? Do you not realize that whatever goes into the mouth passes through the stomach and is discharged into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth originates in the heart, and this is what defiles a person. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, slander. These are the things that defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not make anyone unclean."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 10 - 20

The Faith of a Pagan Woman.

       JESUS then left that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out to meet HIM and cried out, "Have pity on me, LORD, SON OF DAVID. My daughter is sorely tormented by a demon." But HE did not say a word to her in reply.

       So HIS disciples came and urged HIM, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." HE answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt at HIS feet, saying, "LORD, help me!" HE answered, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She replied, "Yes, LORD, but even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from their masters' table." Then JESUS answered her, "Woman, you have great faith. Let it be done for you as you wish." And from that moment her daughter was healed.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 21 - 28

JESUS Heals Many People.

       After leaving that region, JESUS walked along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and going up onto the mountain, HE sat down. Large crowds flocked to HIM, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at HIS feet, and HE cured them. The crowds were amazed when they observed the mute speaking, the crippled made whole, the lame walking, and the blind with their sight restored, and they gave praise to THE GOD OF ISRAEL.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 29 - 31

JESUS Feeds Four Thousand Men.

       JESUS called HIS disciples to HIM and said, "I am moved with compassion for these people, because they have been with ME now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."

       The disciples said to HIM, "Where can we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to feed such a great crowd?" JESUS asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."

       HE ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then HE took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks HE broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward, they picked up seven baskets full of what remained. Those who had eaten numbered four thousand men, not counting women and children. And when HE had sent away the crowds, HE got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 32 - 39

The Demand for a Sign.

The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to put HIM to the test they asked HIM to show them a sign from heaven. HE answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'Tomorrow there will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning you say, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." Then HE left them and went away.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 16, VERSES 1 - 4

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

       In crossing to the other side of the lake, the disciples had forgotten to bring bread. JESUS said to them, "Be careful, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." They talked about this among themselves and concluded: "It is because we brought no bread."

       Aware of what they were saying, JESUS said, "O you of little faith, why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand and the number of baskets you collected? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many baskets you gathered? How could you fail to see that I was not speaking about bread when I said, 'Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees'?" Then they understood that HE had not told them to beware of the yeast used in bread but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 16, VERSES 5 - 12

Peter's Confession of Christ's Divinity.

       When JESUS came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, HE asked HIS disciples, "Who do people say that THE SON OF MAN is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the Prophets." "But you," HE said to them, "who do you say that I AM?" Simon Peter replied, "YOU are THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD."

       Then JESUS said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but MY HEAVENLY FATHER. And I say to you; You are Peter, and on this rock I will build MY Church, and the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Then HE gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that HE was THE CHRIST.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 16, VERSES 13 - 20

JESUS Predicts HIS Passion.

       From then onward JESUS made it clear to HIS disciples that HE must go to Jerusalem and endure great suffering at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be put to death, and be raised on the third day.

       Peter took HIM aside and began to rebuke HIM, saying, "GOD forbid, LORD. Such a fate must never happen to YOU." HE turned and said to Peter, "Get behind ME, Satan! You are an obstacle to ME. You are thinking not as GOD does, but as men do."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 16, VERSES 21 - 23

The Conditions of Discipleship.

       JESUS then said to HIS disciples, "Anyone who wishes to follow ME must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow ME. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for MY sake will find it. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his very life? Or what can he give in exchange for his life?

       "For THE SON OF MAN will come with HIS angels in the glory of HIS FATHER, and then HE will repay everyone according to what has been done. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see THE SON OF MAN coming in HIS kingdom."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 16, VERSES 24 - 28

JESUS Is Transfigured.

Six days later, JESUS took Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And in their presence HE was transfigured; HIS face shone like the sun, and HIS clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, conversing with HIM. Then Peter said to JESUS, "LORD, it is good for us to be here. If YOU wish, I will make three tents here--one for YOU, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

       While HE was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud cast a shadow over them. Then a voice from the cloud said, "This is MY BELOVED SON, with whom I AM well pleased. Listen to HIM." When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were greatly frightened. But JESUS came and touched them, saying, "Stand up, and do not be frightened." And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one, but only JESUS.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 17, VERSES 1 - 8

Elijah Has Already Come.

       As they were coming down from the mountain, JESUS commanded them, "Tell no one about this vision until THE SON OF MAN has been raised from the dead." And the disciples asked HIM, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" HE said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come, and he will set everything right again. However, I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. In the same way, THE SON OF MAN will suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that HE was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 17, VERSES 9 - 13

JESUS Heals a Boy with a Demon.

       When they returned to the crowd, a man came up to JESUS, fell to his knees before HIM, and pleaded, "LORD, have pity on my son, for he is subject to epileptic seizures and endures great suffering. He falls often into fire and often into water. I brought him to YOUR disciples, but they could not cure him."

       JESUS said in reply, "O unbelieving and perverse generation, how much longer shall I remain with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to ME." Then JESUS rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was cured from that very moment.

       Then the disciples came to JESUS and asked HIM privately, "Why were we not able to cast it out?" HE answered, "Because you have such little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith as tiny as a mustard seed, you will be able to say to this mountain: 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. [But this kind of demon does not come out except by prayer and fasting.]"

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 17, VERSES 14 - 21

JESUS Predicts HIS Passion a Second Time.

     When they were together in Galilee, JESUS said to them, "THE SON OF MAN is going to be handed over into the power of men. They will kill HIM, and on the third day HE will be raised." And they were overwhelmed with grief.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 17, VERSES 22 & 23

JESUS Pays the Temple Tax.

       When they arrived at Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came up to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes, HE does," he replied.

       When Peter went into the house, but before he had a chance to speak, JESUS asked him, "Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do the kings of the earth exact tolls and taxes--from their own sons or from others?" And when he said, "From others," JESUS replied, "Then their sons are exempt. However, lest we give offense to them, go to the lake and cast a hook. Take the first fish that you catch and open its mouth. There you will find a silver coin. Take it and give it to them for ME and for yourself."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 17, VERSES 24 - 27

Become Like Little Children.

At that time, the disciples came to JESUS and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Then JESUS beckoned a child to come to HIM, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself and becomes like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 18, VERSES 1 - 4

Woe to the World because of Scandals.

       And whoever receives one such child in MY name receives ME. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in ME to sin, it would be better for him to have a millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of scandals. Such things are bound to occur, but woe to the one through whom they come.

       "If your hand or your foot is an occasion of sin for you, cut it off and throw it away. It is preferable for you to enter into life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is preferable for you to enter into life with one eye than to have two eyes and be cast into the fires of Gehenna.

       "Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven gaze continually on the face of MY HEAVENLY FATHER. [For THE SON OF MAN has come to save what was lost.]

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 18, VERSES 5 - 11

The Parable of the Lost Sheep.

       "Tell me your opinion. If a man owns a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the other ninety-nine on the hill-side and go off in search of the one who went astray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he is more filled with joy over it than over the ninety-nine who did not wander off. In the same way, it is not the will of your FATHER in heaven that a single one of these little ones should be lost.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 18, VERSES 12 - 14

The Church: Community of Love, Prayer, and Pardon.

       "If your brother wrongs you, go and take up the matter with him when the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every detail may be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, report it to the Church. And if he refuses to listen to the Church, treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.

       "Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [Amen,] I say to you, further, if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be granted to you by MY FATHER in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in MY name, I AM there in their midst."

       Then Peter came up to HIM and asked, "LORD, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" JESUS answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy times seven.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 18, VERSES 15 - 22

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.

       "For this reason, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a man was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. Since he had no possible way to repay what he owed, his master ordered him to be sold, together with his wife, his children, and all his property, to satisfy the debt. At this, the servant fell to his knees, saying, 'Be patient with me, and I will repay you in full.' Moved with compassion, the master of that servant let him go and canceled the debt.

       "However, when that servant left, he encountered one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii, and, choking him, he demanded, 'Pay me back what you owe.' His fellow servant fell to his knees and pleaded with him, saying, 'Be patient with me and I will repay you.' But he turned a deaf ear and had him thrown into prison until he had repaid the debt.

       "When his fellow servants observed what had happened, they were greatly upset, and, going to their master, they reported everything that had taken place. Then his master sent for the man and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you for your complete debt because you begged me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant as I had mercy on you?' And in his anger his master handed him over to be tortured until he repaid the entire debt. In the same way, MY HEAVENLY FATHER will also deal with you unless each of you forgives his brother from the heart."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 18, VERSES 23 - 35