The Freer Logion.

       And they excused themselves, saying, "This age of lawlessness and unbelief is under Satan, who does not allow the truth and power of GOD to prevail over the unclean things of the spirit. Therefore, reveal YOUR righteousness now"--thus they spoke to CHRIST. And CHRIST replied to them, "The limit of the years of Satan's power has been reached, but other terrible things draw near. And for those who sinned I was handed over to death, that they might return to the truth and no longer sin, in order that they might inherit the spiritual and incorruptible glory of righteousness, which is in heaven."

GOSPEL OF MARK: NONCANONICAL ENDINGS

The Shorter Ending.

       And they reported all the instructions briefly to Peter and his companions. Afterward, through them JESUS sent forth from east to west the sacred and perpetual proclamation of eternal salvation.

GOSPEL OF MARK: NONCANONICAL ENDINGS

JESUS Ascends to Heaven.

       Then, after HE had spoken to them, THE LORD JESUS was taken up into heaven, and there HE took HIS place at the right hand of GOD. And they went forth to proclaim the gospel everywhere, while THE LORD worked with them and confirmed the word by means of the signs that accompanied their preaching.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 16, VERSES 19 & 20

JESUS Appears to and Commissions the Eleven.

       Still later, HE appeared to the eleven while they were at table. HE reproached them for their lack of faith and their hardness of heart because they refused to believe the witness of those who had seen HIM after HE had risen.

       Then HE said to them, "Go forth into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will mark those who believe: In MY name they will cast out demons. They will be granted the gift of speaking in new languages. If they pick up serpents in their hands or drink any deadly poison, they will remain unharmed. The sick on whom they lay their hands will recover."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 16, VERSES 14 - 18

JESUS Appears to Two Disciples.

       After this, JESUS appeared in a different form to two of them as they were on their way into the country. They then returned and reported the news to the others, but they did not believe them either.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 16, VERSES 12 & 13

JESUS Appears to Mary Magdalene.

       After HE had risen from the dead early on the first day of the week, JESUS appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom HE had driven out seven demons. She then went forth and related the story of HIS appearance to HIS mourning and weeping companions. However, when they heard that HE was alive and that she had seen HIM, they refused to believe it.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 16, VERSES 9 - 11

JESUS Is Raised from the Dead.

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome purchased aromatic spices so that they might go and anoint JESUS. And very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they went to the tomb.

       They had been asking each other, "Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" But when they looked up, they observed that the stone, which was extremely large, had already been rolled back. On entering the tomb, they saw a young man arrayed in a white robe sitting on the right hand side, and they were stunned.

       He said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You are looking for JESUS of Nazareth, who was crucified. HE has been raised. HE is not here. See the place where they laid HIM. But go forth and tell HIS disciples and Peter: 'HE is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see HIM just as HE told you.' " Then the women emerged from the tomb and fled, overcome with trembling and amazement. They said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 16, VERSES 1 - 8

JESUS Is Placed in the Tomb.

       It was the Day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath. So when evening came, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also awaiting The Kingdom of GOD, boldly went to Pilate and requested the body of JESUS. Pilate was surprised to hear that JESUS was already dead, and he summoned the centurion to ascertain that JESUS had indeed died. When he learned from the centurion that such was the case, he turned over the body to Joseph.

       Having purchased a linen shroud, he lowered JESUS from the cross, wrapped HIM in the shroud, and laid HIM in a tomb that had been hewn out of rock. He then rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was buried.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 42 - 47

JESUS Dies on the Cross.

       Beginning at midday, there was darkness over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o' clock, JESUS cried out in a loud voice, "ELOI, ELOI, lema sabachthani?" which means, "MY GOD, MY GOD, why have YOU forsaken ME?"

       On hearing this, some of the bystanders said, "Listen! He is calling Elijah." Someone ran off, soaked a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to HIM to drink, saying, "Wait! Let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down."

       Then JESUS cried out in a loud voice and breathed HIS last. And the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two, from top to bottom. When the centurion who was standing facing HIM saw how JESUS had breathed HIS last, he said, "Truly this man was THE SON OF GOD."

       A number of women were also present, looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These women used to follow JESUS when HE was in Galilee and minister to HIS needs. And there were many other women there who had come up with HIM to Jerusalem.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 33 - 41

JESUS Is Crucified.

       They brought HIM to the place called Golgotha, which means the place of the skull. They offered HIM some wine that had been mixed with myrrh, but HE refused to take it. Then they crucified HIM and divided HIS garments among them, casting lots for them to see what each should take.

       It was around nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified HIM. The inscription giving the charge against HIM read, "The King of the Jews." Along with HIM they crucified two thieves, one on HIS right and the other on HIS left. [Thus was the Scripture fulfilled that says, "And HE was counted among the wicked."]

       Those people who passed by jeered at HIM, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who claimed you could destroy the temple and rebuild it within three days, save yourself and come down from the cross."

       In much the same way, the chief priests and the scribes joined in the mockery among themselves, saying, "He saved others, but he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down from the cross right now so that we may see it and come to believe." Those who were crucified with HIM also taunted HIM.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 22 - 32

The Way of the Cross.

       They compelled a passer-by who was returning from the country to carry HIS cross. The man was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 15, VERSE 21

JESUS Is Crowned with Thorns.

       Then the soldiers led JESUS away inside the palace, that is, the Praetorium, and they called the whole cohort together. They dressed HIM in a purple robe and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they placed it on HIM. Then they began to salute HIM with the words, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They repeatedly struck HIS head with a reed, spat upon HIM, and knelt down before HIM in homage. And when they had finished mocking HIM, they stripped HIM of HIS purple robe and dressed HIM in HIS own clothes. Then they led HIM out to crucify HIM.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 16 - 20

JESUS Is Sentenced to Death.

       Now on the occasion of the feast, he released a prisoner to them, anyone for whom they asked. At the time, a man named Barabbas was in prison along with some rebels who had committed murder during an uprising. When the crowd came forward and began to ask him to do the customary favor for them, Pilate asked them, "Do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?" For he realized that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed HIM over.

       However, the chief priests incited the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate then asked, "And what shall I do with the man you call the king of the Jews?" They shouted back, "Crucify him!" Pilate asked them, "Why? What evil has he done?" But they only screamed all the louder, "Crucify him!" And so Pilate, anxious to appease the crowd, released Barabbas to them, and after ordering JESUS to be scourged, he handed HIM over to be crucified.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 6 - 15

JESUS Before Pilate.

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a council with the elders and the scribes and the whole Sanhedrin. They bound JESUS and led HIM away, and handed HIM over to Pilate.

       Pilate asked HIM, "Are you the king of the Jews?" JESUS replied, "You have said so." Then the chief priests brought many charges against HIM. Again, Pilate questioned HIM, "Have you no answer to offer? Just consider how many charges they are leveling against you." But JESUS offered no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 1 - 5

Peter Denies JESUS.

       While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the high priest's servant girls came by. When she noticed Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, "You also were with JESUS, the man from Nazareth." But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are talking about." Thereupon he went forth into the outer courtyard. Then the cock crowed. The servant girl saw him and again began to say to the bystanders: "This man is one of them." But again he denied it.

       Shortly afterward, some bystanders said to Peter, "You are unquestionably one of them, for you are a Galilean." Then he began to shout curses, and he swore an oath: "I do not know this man you are talking about." At that very moment, a cock crowed for a second time, and Peter remembered that JESUS had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny ME three times." And he broke down and wept.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 66 - 72

JESUS Is Condemned by the Sanhedrin.

       They led JESUS away to the high priest, where the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were gathering. Meanwhile, Peter had followed HIM at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest, and he was sitting there with the attendants, warming himself at the fire.

       The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin tried to elicit testimony against JESUS so that they could put HIM to death, but they failed in their efforts. Many witnesses offered perjured testimony against HIM, but their statements did not agree. Then some stood up and gave this false witness against HIM: "We heard this man say, 'I will destroy this temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another not made with hands.' " But even on this point their statements did not agree.

       The high priest then rose among them and asked JESUS, "Have you no reply to counter the testimony that these witnesses have given?" But HE remained silent and offered no response. Again, the high priest questioned HIM, asking, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" JESUS replied, "I AM.

       And you will see THE SON OF MAN

          seated at the right hand of THE POWER

          and coming with the clouds of heaven."

       Thereupon the high priest tore his garments and exclaimed, "What need do we have of any further witnesses! You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?" They all condemned HIM as guilty and deserving of death. Some of them began to spit at HIM. They blindfolded HIM and struck HIM, taunting HIM as they said, "Prophesy!" And the guards also slapped HIM.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 53 - 65

JESUS Is Arrested.

       At once, while HE was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him there was a crowd of men, armed with swords and clubs, who had been sent by the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now HIS betrayer had agreed with them on a signal, saying, "The one I shall kiss is the man. Arrest HIM, and lead HIM away under guard!" And so, when he came, he proceeded directly to JESUS and said "Rabbi!" and kissed HIM. Then they seized HIM and placed HIM under arrest. Meanwhile, one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck a servant of the high priest, slicing off his ear.

       Then JESUS said to them, "Why are you coming forth with swords and clubs to arrest ME, as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest ME. But in this way the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Then everyone deserted HIM and fled. Among those who had followed JESUS was a young man wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he slipped out of the linen cloth and ran off naked.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 43 - 52

The Agony in the Garden.

       Then they went to a place that was called Gethsemane, and JESUS said to HIS disciples, "Sit here while I pray." HE took with HIM Peter and James and John, and HE began to suffer distress and anguish. And HE said to them, "MY soul is sorrowful, even to the point of death. Remain here and keep watch."

       Moving on a little farther, HE threw HIMSELF on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass HIM by, saying, "ABBA, FATHER, for YOU all things are possible. Take this cup from ME. Yet not MY will but YOURS be done."

       Returning to the disciples, HE found them sleeping. HE said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing but the flesh is weak."

       Again, HE went apart and prayed, saying the same words. Then HE came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to say to HIM. When HE returned a third time, HE said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come when THE SON OF MAN is to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let us go! Look, MY betrayer is approaching."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 32 - 42

JESUS Predicts Peter's Denial.

       Then JESUS said to them, "You will all be scandalized, for it is written:

       'I will strike the shepherd,

          and the sheep will be scattered.'

But after I have been raised up, I shall go ahead of you to Galilee." Peter said to HIM, "Even if all the others will be scandalized, I will never be." JESUS replied, "Amen, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny ME three times." But Peter insisted, "If I have to die with YOU, I will not deny YOU." And they all said the same thing.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 27 - 31

The Last Supper.

       While they were eating HE took bread, and after HE had pronounced the blessing, HE broke it and gave it to them, saying, "Take it; this is MY body." Then HE took a cup, and after offering thanks HE gave it to them. After they all drank from it, HE said to them, "This is MY blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many. Amen, I say to you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I shall drink it anew in the kingdom of GOD."

       And after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 22 - 26

The Treachery of Judas Foretold.

       Now when evening came, HE arrived with the Twelve. And as they reclined at table and were eating, JESUS said, "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray ME, one who is eating with ME." On hearing this they began to be distressed and to say to HIM, one after another, "Is it I?"

       HE said to them, "It is one of the Twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with ME. For THE SON OF MAN goes as it is written of HIM, but woe to that man by whom THE SON OF MAN is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had never been born."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 17 - 21

The Preparations for the Passover.

       On the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, the disciples said to JESUS, "Where do YOU want us to go and make the preparations for YOU to eat the Passover?"

       HE sent forth two of HIS disciples, instructing them: "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him! Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'THE TEACHER asks: "Where is the room where I can eat the Passover with MY disciples?" ' Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." The disciples went forth, entered the city, and found everything just as HE had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 12 - 16

Judas Betrays JESUS.

       Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests and offered to hand HIM over to them. They were delighted when they heard his proposal, and they promised to give him money. Then he began to look for an opportunity to betray HIM.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 10 & 11

A Woman of Bethany Anoints JESUS.

       When JESUS was in Bethany reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came in with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured the ointment over HIS head. Some of those present said to one another indignantly, "Why was this ointment wasted in such a manner? It could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, with the money given to the poor." And they began to rebuke her sharply.

       However, JESUS said, "Let her alone! Why are you bothering her? She has performed a good action toward ME. The poor you will always have with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish, but you will not always have ME. She has done what she could. She has anointed MY body to prepare for MY burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever in the whole world this gospel is proclaimed, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 3 - 9

The Plot against JESUS.

 It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking to arrest JESUS by deceit and put HIM to death. They said, "It must not occur during the feast, or the people may begin to riot."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 1 & 2

The Day and Hour Unknown.

       "But as for that day or that hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor THE SON, but only THE FATHER. Be on your guard and keep alert, because you do not know when the time will come.

       "It is like a man going on a journey. HE leaves HIS house and puts HIS servants in charge, each with his own duties to perform, and HE commands the doorkeeper to remain alert. Therefore, keep watch, for you do not know when THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE will return, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, lest HE arrive unexpectedly and find you asleep. What I say to you, I say to all: Keep awake!"

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 32 - 37

The Parable of the Fig Tree.

       "Learn this lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its twigs become tender and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things come to pass, know that HE is near, at the very gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words will never pass away.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 28 - 31

The Coming of THE SON OF MAN.

       "But in those days, following that distress,

       the sun will be darkened

          and the moon will not give forth its light,

          and the stars will be falling from the sky,

              and the heavenly powers will be shaken.

Then they will see 'THE SON OF MAN coming in the clouds' with great power and glory. And HE will send forth HIS angels and gather HIS elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 24 - 27

False Messiahs and False Prophets.

       "Therefore, if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise, and they will perform signs and wonders to lead astray GOD's chosen ones, if that were possible. Be on your guard! I have forewarned you about everything.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 21 - 23

The Great Trial.

       "Therefore, when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it does not belong (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, the one who is standing on the roof must not come down or go inside to take anything out of the house, and someone who is in the field must not turn back to retrieve his coat.

       "Woe to those who are pregnant and those who are nursing infants in those days. Pray that all this may not occur in winter. For in those days there will be such suffering as has not been since the beginning of the creation that GOD made until now and will never be again. And if THE LORD had not cut short those days, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect whom HE chose, HE did cut short those days.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 14 - 20

The Coming Persecution.

       "Be on your guard. For they will hand you over to courts and beat you in synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of ME to testify before them. But first the gospel must be preached to all nations.

       "When they arrest you and bring you to trial, do not be concerned beforehand about what you are to say. Simply say whatever is given to you when that time comes, for it will not be you who speak but THE HOLY SPIRIT.

       "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of MY name, but whoever stands firm to the end will be saved.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 9 - 13

The End Has Not Yet Come.

       As HE was sitting on the Mount of Olives directly across from the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew questioned HIM when they were alone. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign that all those things are about to be accomplished?"

       JESUS began to say to them, "Take care that no one deceives you. Many will come in MY name, saying, 'I am he,' and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed, for those things are bound to happen, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famine. These are only the beginning of the labor pangs.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 5 - 8

JESUS Announces the Destruction of the Temple.

       As JESUS was making HIS departure from the temple, one of HIS disciples said to HIM, "TEACHER, look at the size of these stones and buildings!" JESUS said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not a single stone will be left upon another, every one will be thrown down."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 1 & 2

The Poor Widow's Offering.

       As JESUS was sitting opposite the treasury, HE watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many wealthy people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two copper coins, that is, about a penny. Then HE called HIS disciples to HIM and said, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow has given more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For the others have all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has given everything she possessed, all that she had to live on."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 41 - 44

Denunciation of the Scribes.

       In HIS teaching, HE said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, to be greeted respectfully in the marketplace, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows, while for the sake of appearance they recite lengthy prayers. They will receive the severest possible condemnation."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 38 - 40

JESUS Is LORD.

       While JESUS was teaching in the temple area, HE said, "How can the scribes say that THE CHRIST is THE SON OF DAVID? David himself, inspired by THE HOLY SPIRIT, declared:

       'THE LORD said to my LORD:

       "Sit at MY right hand

          until I put YOUR enemies under YOUR feet." '

David himself calls HIM 'LORD'; so how can HE be his son?" And the large crowd listened to HIM with delight.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 35 - 37

The Greatest Commandment.

       Then one of the scribes who had listened to these discussions, and who had observed how well JESUS answered them, asked JESUS, "Which is the first of all the commandments?"

       JESUS answered, "The first is: 'Hear, O Israel: THE LORD our GOD, THE LORD is one! You shall love THE LORD your GOD with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

       Then the scribe said to HIM, "Well said, TEACHER. YOU have truly said, 'HE is one, and there is no other besides HIM.' And 'to love HIM with all your heart, and with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself,' is worth more than any burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when JESUS saw with what great understanding he had spoken, HE said to him, "You are not far from The Kingdom of GOD." And after that no one dared to ask HIM any question.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 28 - 34

Marriage and the Resurrection.

       Then some Sadducees, who assert that there is no resurrection, approached HIM and posed this question, "TEACHER, Moses wrote down for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall take his brother's wife and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first brother took a wife and died, leaving no children. The second brother married the widow and died, leaving no children. The same was true of the third brother. None of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman herself died. Now at the resurrection, when they rise up, whose wife will she be, inasmuch as all seven had her?"

       JESUS said to them, "Is not this the reason you are in error--namely, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of GOD? For when they rise from the dead, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. They are like angels in heaven.

       "And in regard to the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account about the bush, how GOD said to him: 'I AM THE GOD of Abraham, THE GOD of Isaac, and THE GOD of Jacob'? HE is not THE GOD of the dead but of the living. You are very badly mistaken."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 18 - 27

GOD or Caesar.

       Then they sent some Pharisees and Herodians to trap HIM in what HE said. They came and said to HIM, "TEACHER, we know that YOU are truthful and are not concerned with anyone's opinion no matter what his station in life. Rather, YOU teach the way of GOD in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful or not for us to pay taxes to Caesar? Should we pay them or not?"

       HE was aware of their hypocrisy and said to them, "Why are you trying to trap ME? Bring ME a denarius and let ME examine it." When they brought one, HE asked them, "Whose image is this, and whose inscription?" They replied and said to HIM, "Caesar's." JESUS said to them, "Give to Caesar what is due to Caesar, and to GOD what is due to GOD." HIS reply left them completely amazed at HIM.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 13 - 17GOD or

The Parable of the Tenants.

Then JESUS began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went off on a journey.

       "When the time arrived, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized the servant, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again, he sent them another servant, but they beat him over the head and treated him shamefully. Then he sent another, and that one they killed. He also sent many others, some of whom they beat, and others of whom they killed.

       "Finally, he had only one other to send--his beloved son. And so he sent him to them, thinking: 'They will respect my son.' But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!' And so they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

       "What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and put those tenants to death and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture:

       'The stone that the builders rejected

          has become the cornerstone;

       by THE LORD this has been done,

          and it is wonderful in our eyes'?"

       They wanted to arrest HIM because they realized that this parable was directed at them, but they were afraid of the crowd. Therefore, they left HIM and went away.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 1 - 12

The Authority of JESUS Questioned.

       They returned once again to Jerusalem. As JESUS was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached HIM and asked, "By what authority are YOU doing these things? Or who gave YOU the authority to do them?" JESUS said to them, "I will ask you one question. Give ME an answer, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did John's baptism originate from heaven or from men? Tell ME!"

       They argued among themselves, "If we say: 'From heaven,' HE will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But how can we say, 'From men'?"--for they were afraid of the people, who all regarded John as a true prophet.

       Therefore, they answered JESUS, "We do not know." And JESUS said to them, "Then neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 27 - 33

The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree.

       Early the next morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Then Peter, recalling what had happened, said to JESUS: "RABBI, look! The fig tree that YOU cursed has withered away."

       JESUS said to them, "Have faith in GOD. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be accomplished for him. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

       "And whenever you stand in prayer, forgive whatever grievance you have against anybody, so that your FATHER in heaven may forgive your wrongs too. [But if you do not forgive others, then your FATHER in heaven will not forgive you your transgressions.]"

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 20 - 26

JESUS Cleanses the Temple.

       Then they came to Jerusalem. HE entered the temple and began to drive out those who were engaged there in buying and selling. HE overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. Nor would HE allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. Then HE taught them, saying: "Is it not written:

       'MY house shall be called a house of prayer

              for all the nations'?

          But you have made it a den of thieves."

       When the chief priests and the scribes heard about this, they plotted to do away with HIM. For they were afraid of HIM because the whole crowd was spellbound by HIS teaching. And when evening came, they left the city.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 15 - 19

JESUS Curses a Sterile Fig Tree.

       On the next day, as they were leaving Bethany, HE felt hungry. Noticing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, HE went to see if HE could find any fruit on it. When HE reached it, HE found nothing except leaves, since it was not the season for figs. Then HE said to it, "May no one ever again eat fruit from your branches." And HIS disciples heard HIM say this.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 12 - 14

The Entry into Jerusalem.

When they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, HE sent off two of HIS disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village directly ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it you will find tied there a colt on which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say: 'THE LORD needs it and will send it back immediately.' "

       The two went off and found a colt tied beside a door outside on the street. As they were untying it, some of them said to them, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as JESUS had instructed them, and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to JESUS and spread their cloaks on its back. And HE sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed kept crying out:

       "Hosanna!

          Blessed is HE who comes in the name of

              THE LORD!

       Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father

              David.

       Hosanna in the highest heavens!"

       HE entered Jerusalem and went into the temple, where HE looked around at everything. Then, since the hour was already late, HE went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 1 - 11

JESUS Heals a Blind Man.

       Then they came to Jericho. And as JESUS, HIS disciples, and a huge crowd were leaving Jericho, a blind man, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside asking for alms. When he heard that it was JESUS of Nazareth, he began to shout, "JESUS, SON OF DAIVID, have pity on me!" Many rebuked him and told him to be silent, but he only shouted all the louder, "SON OF DAVID, have pity on me!"

       JESUS stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart! Stand up! HE is calling you!" Casting aside his cloak, he jumped up and went to JESUS. Then JESUS said to him, "What do you want ME to do for you?" The blind man said to HIM, "RABBI, let me receive my sight." JESUS said to him, "Go on your way! Your faith has made you well." Immediately, he received his sight and followed HIM along the road.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 46 - 52

THE SON OF MAN Has Come To Serve.

       Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward and said to HIM, "TEACHER, we want you to do for us whatever we request." HE asked them, "What is it that you want ME to do for you?" They said to HIM, "Allow us to sit, one at YOUR right hand and the other at YOUR left, in YOUR glory." JESUS said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to HIM, "We can."

       Then JESUS said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall indeed drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized you shall be baptized. But to sit at MY right hand or at MY left is not in MY power to grant. Those places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."

       When the other ten heard this, they began to be indignant at James and John. Therefore, JESUS called them over and said, "You know that those considered to be rulers among the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But this must not be so with you. Instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be the servant of all. For even THE SON OF MAN did not come to be served but to serve and to give HIS life as a ransom for many."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 35 - 45

JESUS Predicts HIS Passion a Third Time.

       As they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, JESUS walked ahead of them. The disciples were amazed, and those who followed were apprehensive. Once again, HE took the Twelve aside and began to tell them what would happen to HIM. "Behold, we are now going up to Jerusalem," HE said, "and THE SON OF MAN will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn HIM to death. Then they will hand HIM over to the Gentiles, who will mock HIM, and spit upon HIM, and scourge HIM, and put HIM to death. And after three days HE will rise again."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 32 - 34

Reward for Following JESUS.

       Peter said to HIM, "We have given up everything to follow YOU." JESUS answered, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for MY sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive in this age a hundred times more houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and lands--as well as persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 28 - 31

The Rich Young Man.

       As JESUS was starting out on a journey, a man came running up to HIM, knelt down, and asked HIM, "GOOD TEACHER, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" JESUS said to him, "Why do you call ME good? No one is good but GOD alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not kill. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Do not defraud. Honor your father and your mother.' "

       The man said to HIM, "TEACHER, I have observed all these since I was a child." Looking at him, JESUS was moved with love and said, "You need to do one further thing. Go and sell what you own, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow ME." When he heard these words, the man's face fell and he went away grieving, for he possessed great wealth.

       Then JESUS looked around and said to HIS disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who are rich to enter The Kingdom of GOD!" The disciples were astounded on hearing HIS words, but JESUS insisted: "Children, how difficult it is to enter The Kingdom of GOD! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter The Kingdom of GOD." The disciples were even more greatly astonished, and they said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" JESUS looked at them and said, "For men it is impossible, but not for GOD. For GOD all things are possible."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 17 - 27

JESUS Receives Little Children.

       People were bringing little children to HIM so that HE might touch them, and the disciples sternly rebuked them. But when JESUS became aware of this, HE was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to ME; do not hinder them. For it is to such as these that The Kingdom of GOD belongs. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not receive The Kingdom of GOD like a little child will never enter it." And HE took them up into HIS arms, laid HIS hands on them, and blessed them.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 13 - 16

Marriage and Divorce.

After departing from there, JESUS came into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. Again the crowds gathered around HIM, and, as was HIS custom, HE began to teach them.

       Some Pharisees came forward and in order to test HIM asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" HE replied, "What did Moses command you?" They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and dismiss her." But JESUS said to them, "It was because of the hardness of your hearts that he wrote this commandment for you. But from the very beginning of creation, 'GOD made them male and female.' 'That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two become one flesh.' And so they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what GOD has joined together, let no one separate."

       When they were again in the house, the disciples once more questioned JESUS about this. HE said to them, "If a man divorces his wife and marries another, he commits adultery against her. In the same way, if a wife divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 1 - 12

The Simile of Salt.

       "For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt loses its saltiness, how can you revive its flavor? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 49 & 50

Woe to the World because of Scandals.

       "If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in ME to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

       "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is preferable for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go into the unquenchable fire of Gehenna [where the devouring worm never dies and the fire is never quenched]. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into Gehenna [where the devouring worm never dies and the fire is never quenched]. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is preferable for you to enter into the kingdom of GOD with one eye than to have two eyes and be cast into Gehenna, where the devouring worm never dies and the fire is never quenched.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 42 - 48

Whoever Is Not against Us Is for Us.

       John said to HIM, "TEACHER, we observed someone expelling demons in YOUR name, and we forbade him because he was not one of us." JESUS replied, "Do not hinder him, for no one who performs a miracle in MY name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of ME. Whoever is not against us is for us. Amen, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of CHRIST will certainly not go unrewarded.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 38 - 41

The Greatest in the Kingdom.

       They came to Capernaum, and once they were in the house HE asked them, "What were you arguing about during the journey?" But they remained silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which one of them was the greatest.

       Then HE sat down, summoned the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he must become the last of all and the servant of all." HE then took a child, placed it in their midst, and put HIS arms around it as HE said, "Whoever receives one such child in MY name receives ME; and whoever receives ME receives not ME but THE ONE who sent ME."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 33 - 37

JESUS Predicts HIS Passion a Second Time.

       They proceeded from there and began to journey through Galilee, but JESUS did not want anyone to know about it because HE was teaching HIS disciples. HE told them, "THE SON OF MAN will be handed over into the power of men. They will kill HIM, and three days after being killed HE will rise." But they did not understand wat HE was saying, and they were afraid to ask HIM about it.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 30 - 32

JESUS Heals a Boy Possessed by a Spirit.

       When they returned to the disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some scribes were engaged in an argument with them. As soon as the people saw JESUS, they were overcome with awe and ran forward to greet HIM. HE asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?"

       A man in the crowd answered HIM, "TEACHER, I have brought YOU my son who is possessed by a spirit that makes him unable to speak. Wherever it seizes him, it flings him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked YOUR disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so."

       JESUS said to them in reply, "O unbelieving generation, how much longer shall I remain with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring the boy to ME." When they brought the boy to HIM, the spirit saw HIM and immediately threw the child into convulsions. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

       JESUS asked the father, "How long has the boy been in this condition?" "From childhood," he replied. "It has often tried to kill him by throwing him into a fire or into water. If it is possible for you to do anything, have pity on us and help us." JESUS answered, "If it is possible! All things are possible for one who has faith." Immediately, the father of the child cried out, "I do believe. Help my unbelief."

       When JESUS saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering around them, HE rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "Deaf and mute spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!" Shrieking and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out of him. He lay there like a corpse, so that many remarked, "He is dead." But JESUS, taking him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.

       When HE went indoors, HIS disciples asked HIM privately, "Why were we not able to cast it out?" HE answered, "This kind cannot be driven out except by prayer [and by fasting]."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 14 - 29