Chapter: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
St. Matthew – Chapter 1
THE GENEALOGY OF CHRIST
ABRAHAM TO DAVID
1 This is the genealogical table of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
2 Abraham begot Isaac; Isaac begot Jacob; Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.
3 Judah begot Phares and Zara by Thamar; Phares begot Esrom; Esrom begot Aram.
4 Aram begot Aminadab; Aminadab begot Naasson ; Naasson begot Salmon.
5 Salmon begot Booz by Rachab; Booz begot Obed by Ruth; Obed begot Jesse.
6 Jesse begot David the king.
DAVID TO THE BABYLONIAN EXILE
David the king begot Solomon by the widow of Uriah.
7 Solomon begot Roboam; Roboam begot Abijah; Abijah begot Asa.
8 Asa begot Josaphat; Josaphat begot Joram; Joram begot Oziah.
9 Oziah begot Joatham; Joatham begot Achaz; Achaz begot Hezekiah.
10 Hezekiah begot Manasseh; Manasseh begot Amon; Amon begot Josiah.
11 Josiah begot Jechoniah and his brothers during the Babylonian exile.
BABYLONIAN EXILE TO CHRIST
12 After the Babylonian exile Jechoniah begot Salathiel; Salathiel begot Zorobabel.
13 Zorobabel begot Abiud; Abiud begot Eliakim; Eliakim begot Azor.
14 Azor begot Sadok; Sadok begot Achim; Achim begot Eliud.
15 Eliud begot Eleazar; Eleazar begot Matthan; Matthan begot Jacob.
16Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17 So altogether there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David; and fourteen generations from David to the Babylonian exile; and fourteen generations from the Babylonian exile to Christ.
BIRTH OF CHRIST
18 The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this manner: Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph. But before they were married, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit.
19 Her husband Joseph was a kindly man and did not want to disgrace her. So he decided to break off the engagement privately.
20 While he was considering this solution, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said to him: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For she has conceived her child from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will bear a Son whom you will call Jesus. For he will save the people from their sins.”
22 Thus the prediction of the Lord through the Prophet was fulfilled:
23 “Listen, a virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and his name will be called Emmanuel!” which means, God with us
24 When Joseph awoke from his sleep, he did as the Angel of the Lord had ordered him. He took his wife to his home. 25 But he did not live with her until she had borne her Son whom he named Jesus.
St. Matthew – Chapter 2
THE WISE MEN
1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of Herod the king. Thereupon, Wise Men from the East arrived in Jerusalem.
2 They kept asking: “Where is the newly born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him.”
3 Herod the king was troubled when he heard this report, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where Christ was to be born.
5 They answered him: “In Bethlehem of Judea. For this is what the Prophet has written about this matter:
6 ‘You, O Bethlehem, you are certainly one of the principal cities of Judea. For from you will arise a leader who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’
7 Thereupon Herod summoned the Wise Men secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.
8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem and told them: “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word. For I want to go and worship him also.”
9 They obeyed the king and proceeded on their journey. Thereupon the star, which they had seen in the East, led them on until they reached the place where the child lay and stopped over it.
10 When they saw the star, the Wise Men rejoiced exceedingly.
11 They went into the house and saw the Child with Mary his Mother. Thereupon they fell down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh.
12 But they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. So they went back to their own country by another way.
FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
13 When the Wise Men had departed, suddenly an Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said to him: “Arise, take the Child and his Mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is going to look for the Child and put him to death.”
14 So Joseph arose, took the Child and his Mother and left for Egypt.
Thus the prediction of the Lord through the Prophet was fulfilled: “I have called my Son out of Egypt.”
THE MASSACRE OF BETHLEHEM
16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the Wise Men, he was furious. So he sent his henchmen and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that neighborhood, who were two years old or less from the time he had found out from the Wise Men
17 Thus the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled:
18 “An outburst of weeping and lamentation was heard in Ramah. It was Rachel weeping for her children. She refused to be comforted. For they were all gone.”
THE RETURN TO NAZARETH
19 When Herod was dead, an Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.
20 He told him: “Arise, take the Child and his Mother, and return to the land of Israel. For Herod who wanted to kill the Child is dead
21 So Joseph arose, took the Child and his Mother, and went back to the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as king, he was afraid to go there. So, as he was advised in a dream, he took refuge in the region of Galilee.
23 Finally, he went and settled in a city called Nazareth. Thus the prediction of the Prophets was fulfilled: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
St. Matthew – Chapter 3
JOHN THE BAPTIST
1 In those days, John the Baptist appeared in the desert.
2 He preached: “Repent. For the Kingdom of Heaven is drawing near.”
3 He was the man of whom Isaiah the Prophet spoke, saying: “Listen, a Prophet is preaching in the desert. Prepare the way of the Lord. Straighten out his paths.”
4 John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.
5 The inhabitants of Jerusalem, of Judea, and of all the region round about Jordan went out to him.
6 They confessed their sins and were baptized by him in the river Jordan.
7 Many Pharisees and Sadducees also came to him for baptism. When he saw them, he said: “You, brood of vipers! The Lord himself warned you to escape his coming retribution.
8 Therefore perform deeds consistent with your professed repentance.
9 Do not suppose that you can get away by claiming Abraham as your forefather. For I tell you, God is able to raise up descendants for Abraham out of these stones.
10 “Remember, the ax is laid at the root of the trees. Every tree which does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “I baptize you for repentance with water. But the Messiah who comes after me is so much mightier than I that I am not worthy to carry his shoes. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
12 “He holds his winnowing fork in his hand. He will clean up his threshing floor. He will store his wheat in his barn. Then he will burn the chaff in the unquenchable fire.”
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
13 At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the river Jordan to be baptized by John.
14 But John tried to dissuade him, saying: “I need to be baptized by you. You do not need to come to me.”
15 Jesus answered: “Go ahead now. For we must fulfill every requirement.” Then John consented.
16 So Jesus was baptized. When he came out of the water, heaven was opened immediately, and he saw the Holy Spirit of God who came down in the form of a dove and rested upon him.
17 Thereupon a voice from heaven said: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”
St. Matthew – Chapter 4
THE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS
1 At that time, Jesus was conducted by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
2 He fasted forty days and forty nights. So he felt hungry afterwards.
3 Thereupon the tempter approached and said to him: “If you are the Son of God, order these stones to become loaves of bread.”
5 Again the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple.
6 Then he said to him: “If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down. For it is written in the Scriptures: ‘God will order his angels to lift you up with their hands. So you will not dash your feet on any stone.'”
7 Jesus answered him: “Yes, but it is also written in the Scriptures ‘You must not challenge the Lord your God.'”
8 Again the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the earth and their glories.
9 Then he said to him: “I will give you all these kingdoms, if you fall down and worship me.”
10 Jesus answered him: “Go away from me, Satan. For it is written in the Scriptures: ‘You must adore and worship only the Lord your God.'”
11 Then the devil left him alone. Thereupon angels came and ministered to him.
JESUS IN GALILEE
12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee.
13 Later on, he left Nazareth and settled down in Capernaum on the sea-shore in the region of Zabulon and Nephthalim.
14 Thus the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled:
15 “Land of Zabulon and land of Nephthalim on the sea-shore beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,
16 the people who dwelt in darkness saw a great light. Indeed, light has dawned for those who lived in that region under the shadow of death.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to proclaim: “Repent. For the Kingdom of Heaven is drawing near.”
THE FIRST DISCIPLES
18 As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the Sea. For they were fishermen.
19 He said to them: “Follow me. I will make you fishers of men.”
20 Immediately, they dropped their nets and followed him.
21 As he was going further on, he saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were repairing their nets in a boat with their father Zebedee. Jesus called them. 22 They left their boat and their father immediately, and followed him.
PREACHING AND HEALING
23 Then Jesus went all over Galilee. He preached in the synagogues and proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom. He healed every disease and every infirmity of the people.
24 His fame spread throughout Syria. So they brought him all the sick who were afflicted with various illnesses and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics. He healed them all.
25 Great crowds followed him from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the region beyond the Jordan.
St. Matthew – Chapter 5
SERMON ON THE MOUNT
BEATITUDES
1 When he saw the people, Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down. His Disciples followed him. 2 Then he began his sermon and said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit. For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn. For they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek. For they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. For they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful. For they will obtain mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart. For they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peace-makers. For they will be called the children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who endure persecution. For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when men revile you, persecute you, and slander you for my sake.
12 “Be glad and rejoice. For you will be richly rewarded in heaven. For so were all the prophets persecuted before you.”
SALT OF THE EARTH
13 “You are the salt of the earth. Now, if the salt has been spoiled, it cannot be restored. It is no longer good for anything. So it is thrown away and it is trodden underfoot by men.”
LIGHT OF THE WORLD
14 “You are the light of the world. A city, built upon a hill; cannot be hidden. 15 Men do not light a lamp and put it under a bushel. They put it upon the lampstand. Then it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 “Thus let your light shine before men. Then they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
OLD LAW AND NEW LAW
17 “Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to perfect them. 18 Well, I tell you, so long as heaven and earth exist, the Law will not lose a single iota nor a single dot, until everything has been fulfilled.
19 “Therefore everyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches men accordingly will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But everyone who observes them and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness is far superior to that of the Scribes and the Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT
21 “You have heard that Moses told our forefathers: ‘Do not kill; and everyone who kills will be liable to the Lower Council.’ 22 But I tell you that everyone who is angry at his brother without cause will be liable to the Lower Council. Everyone who insults his brother will be liable to the Upper Council. Everyone who curses his brother will be liable to the fire of Hades.
23 “Therefore if when you offer your gift at the altar, you remember that your brother has a grievance against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar. Go and be reconciled with your brother first. Then come back and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms with your opponent quickly, while you are on the way to court with him. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge. The judge may hand you over to the officer. The officer may throw you into prison. 26 Well, I tell you that you will not get out of it until you have paid your last penny.”
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
27 “You have heard that Moses told our forefathers: ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his mind.
29 “Now, if your right eye leads you astray, pluck it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your organs than have your whole body thrown into Hades. 30 And if your right hand leads you astray, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your limbs than have your whole body thrown into Hades.”
DIVORCE
31 “You have heard that Moses said: ‘Whoever divorces his wife let him give her a certificate of separation.’ 32 But I tell you that everyone who divorces his wife on any ground except unfaithfulness makes her commit adultery. Moreover, everyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery also.”
THE NINTH COMMANDMENT
33 “You have heard that Moses told our forefathers: ‘Do not swear falsely, and you must fulfill your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I tell you: Do not swear at all. Do not swear by heaven. For it is the throne of God. 35 Do not swear by the earth. For it is his footstool. Do not swear by Jerusalem. For it is the city of the great king. 36 Do not swear by your head either. For you cannot make one single hair white or black. 37 Say simply Yes for Yes and No for No. Anything beyond that proceeds from the devil.”
RETALIATION
38 “You have heard that Moses told our forefathers: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you: Do not resist evil. On the contrary, if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him. 42 Give to anyone who begs from you, and do not turn away anyone who wants to borrow from you.”
LOVE OF NEIGHBOR
43 “You have heard that Moses told our forefathers: ‘Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who persecute you and insult you.
45 “Show yourselves true sons of your Father in heaven. For he makes the sun rise on the good and the bad. He makes the rain fall on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 “If you love only those who love you, there is no reward for you. For even the publicans do as much. 47 If you greet only your friends, you are doing no more than others. For even the publicans do as much. 48 Therefore be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
St. Matthew – Chapter 6
CHARITY
1 “Beware of giving alms before men in order to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2. Therefore when you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you. For the hypocrites do it in the synagogues and in the streets to make people praise them. Well, I tell you, they have already received their reward.
3 “On the contrary, when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Let your alms be in secret. Then your Father who sees you in secret will reward you openly.”
PRAYER
5 “When you pray, do not act like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the streets, to let people see them. Well, I tell you, they have already received their reward.
6 “On the contrary, when you pray, go into your private chamber, shut the door, and pray to your Father in secret. Then your Father who sees you in secret will reward you openly.
7 “When you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the pagans do. For they think that they will be heard, if they talk a great deal. 8 Do not be like them. For your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “Therefore pray in this manner: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. 13 And let us not fall into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you also. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, your Father will not forgive your trespasses either.”
FASTING
16 “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. For they distort their faces, to advertise their fasting to the people. Well, I tell you, they have already received their reward.
17 “On the contrary, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face. 18 Do not let anyone see that you are fasting, except your Father in heaven. Then your Father who sees you in secret will reward you openly.”
TREASURES IN HEAVEN
19 “Do not pile up your treasure on earth, where moth and rust can ruin them and where thieves can break in and steal them. 20 But pile up your treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can ruin them and where thieves cannot break in and steal them. 21 For your heart will be wherever you store up your treasures.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your entire body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is blind, your entire body will be full of darkness. Therefore, if your light is darkness, how deep the darkness will be!
24 “No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate one and love the other, or he will support one and oppose the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.”
WORLDLY WORRIES
25 “Therefore I tell you: Do not worry about what you will eat and what you will drink to sustain your life, nor about what you will wear to protect your body. By worrying you ruin your life which is more important than food, and you ruin your body which is more important than clothing.”
DIVINE PROVIDENCE
26 “Look at the birds of the sky. They do not sow, or reap, or store their food in barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. You are certainly more important than the birds. 27 Moreover, no one of you can add a single cubit to his span of life by worrying about it.
28 “Why do you worry about clothing? See how the lilies of the field are flourishing. They do not toil or spin. 29 Yet I tell you: Even Solomon in all his glory was never dressed like one of them. 30 Now, if God so clothes the wild flowers, which bloom today and are thrown into the furnace tomorrow, then he will much more clothe you, a men of little faith.”
KINGDOM OF GOD FIRST
31 “Therefore do not worry and do not ask what we shall eat, or what we shall drink, or what we shall wear. 32 For the pagans are looking for all these comforts. Remember, your Father in heaven knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. For then you will have all these other comforts besides. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow. For tomorrow will take care of itself. The daily worry is sufficient for each day.”
St. Matthew – Chapter 7
RASH JUDGMENT
1 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. 2 For as you judge, so you will be judged. The measure you give will be the measure you receive. 3 You see the mote in your brother’s eye, but you pay no attention to the beam in your own eye.”
4 Now, when there is a beam in your own eye, you cannot say to your brother: ‘Let me remove the mote from your eye.’ 5 You hypocrite, remove the beam from your own eye first. Then you will see clearly to remove the mote from your brother’s eye.”
6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs. Do not throw your pearls before swine. For they will trample them underfoot. Then they will turn on you and tear you to pieces.”
POWER OF PRAYER
7 “Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and you will enter. 8 For everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who seeks will find. And everyone who knocks will enter.
9 “No one of you will give a stone to his son who asks for bread. 10 No one of you will give a snake to his son who asks for a fish. 11 So, if you, bad as you are, know enough to give good things to your children, then your Father in heaven will be much more ready to give good gifts to those who ask him.”
THE GOLDEN RULE
12 “Whatever you wish men to do to you, do also yourselves to them. For this is the summary of the Law and the Prophets.”
THE NARROW GATE
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road, which leads to destruction. Those who enter through it are many. 14 But narrow is the gate and hard is the road, which leads to life. Those who find it are few.”
FALSE PROPHETS
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorns, nor figs from thistles.
17 “Every good tree bears good fruit, and every bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 No good tree can bear bad fruit, and no bad tree can bear good fruit. 19 So every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore you can tell them by their fruits.”
DOING THE WILL OF GOD
21 “Admission to the Kingdom of Heaven will be granted, not to everyone who calls me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but only to those who do the will of my Father in heaven.
22 “On that day many will say to me: ‘Master, Master, we prophesied in your name. We cast out demons in your name. We performed miracles in your name.’ 23 Then I will declare to them: ‘I have never known you. Go away from me, you evildoers.'”
HOUSE ON A ROCK
24 “Therefore everyone who listens to my commandments and puts them into practice is like a man who built his house upon a rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, the winds blew, and beat upon that house. But it did not fall. For it was founded upon a rock.
26 “On the contrary, everyone who listens to my commandments, but does not put them into practice, is like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. 27 The rain fell, the floods came, the winds blew, and beat upon that house. And it went down. The downfall was complete.”
28 So Jesus finished his sermon. The crowds were astonished at his teaching. 29 For he taught, not like the Scribes, but like a man who had authority.
St. Matthew – Chapter 8
THE LEPER
1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 Thereupon a leper came to him, knelt before him, and said: “My Lord, if you will, you can cleanse me.”
3 Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said: “I will. Be cleansed.” Indeed he was cleansed from his leprosy immediately.
4 Then Jesus said to him: “See that you tell nobody. But go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gifts which Moses prescribed as a public evidence of your cure.”
THE CENTURION’S SERVANT
5 As he was entering Capernaum, a Roman centurion came to him, implored him, 6 and said: “My Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at my house in dreadful agony.”
7 Jesus answered him: “I will come and heal him.”
8 The centurion replied: “My Lord, I am not worthy to receive you under my roof. But simply say a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am serving in the army and I give orders to the soldiers under my command. I tell this one to go, and he goes. I tell another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this remark, he was astonished, and said to his followers: “Well, I tell you, I have never found such great faith even in Israel. 11 And I tell you that many will come from the east and from the west to take their places in the Kingdom of Heaven with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 12 But the sons of the Kingdom will be cast into the outer darkness, where sinners are wailing and gnashing their teeth.”
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion: “Go, and let your servant be healed as you have believed.” Indeed his servant was healed at that very moment.
PETER’S MOTHER-IN-LAW
14 Then Jesus went into Peter’s house and found his mother-in-law sick in bed with fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her immediately. Thereupon she arose and ministered unto them.
16 In the evening they brought to him many demoniacs. He cast out the demons with a word and healed all the sick. 17 Thus the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled: “He took up our infirmities, and carried away our sicknesses.”
RENUNCIATION
18 When Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to cross over to the other side. 19 Thereupon a Scribe approached him and said to him: “Master, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus answered him: “The foxes have their holes and the birds of the sky have their nests. But the Messiah has not a place to lay his head.”
21 Another of his Disciples asked him: “Master, allow me first to go and bury my father.” 22 Jesus answered him: “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”
STORM ON THE LAKE
23 Then Jesus boarded a ship. His Disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly, a heavy storm swept over the Sea, and the waves broke over the ship. But he remained asleep.
25 So his Disciples approached him, woke him up, and said: “Master, save us! We are perishing.”
26 Jesus answered them: “Why are you afraid, men of little faith?” Thereupon he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea. A great calm followed. 27 All the men were amazed and asked: “Who is this man whom even the winds and the sea obey?”
THE TWO DEMONIACS
28 When Jesus reached the other shore in the region of the Gergesenes, he was met by two demoniacs, who came out from the tombs. They were so fierce that nobody could pass along that road. 29 Suddenly, they shouted and asked: “What do you want from us, Jesus, Son of God? Did you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
30 A great herd of swine was grazing at some distance from them. 31 So the demons implored him and said: “If you cast us out, allow us to go into the herd of swine.”
32 Jesus answered them: “Go.” So they came out of the men and went into the swine. Immediately, the entire herd of swine rushed over the cliff down to the Sea and perished in the waters.
33 The herdsmen fled, went into the city, and reported the news about the herd and the demoniacs. 34 Thereupon all the inhabitants of the city came out to meet Jesus. When they found him, they asked him to leave their country.
St. Matthew – Chapter 9
THE PARALYTIC
1 So Jesus boarded the ship again, crossed over to the other side, and returned to his own city. 2 Thereupon they brought to him a paralytic, stretched out on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic: “Courage, my son. Your sins are forgiven.”
3 Thereupon some of the Scribes said to themselves: “This man is blaspheming.”
4 Jesus guessed their thoughts and replied: “Why do you ponder such wicked thoughts in your mind? 5 Which is easier? To say: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Or to say: ‘Stand up and walk.’ 6 Well, I will show you that the Son of Man has the authority to forgive sins on earth.” Then he said to the paralytic: “Stand up, take up your bed, and go home.”
7 Immediately, the paralytic stood up and went back to his house.
8 The crowds who saw this miracle were amazed, and glorified God for giving such power to men.
9 As Jesus was passing along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the customs-house. He said to him: “Follow me.” Matthew arose and followed him.
10 Afterwards, as Jesus was sitting at the table in the house, many publicans and sinners joined him and his Disciples. 11 The Pharisees noticed it and asked his Disciples: “Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners?”
12 Jesus heard them and answered: “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but those who are sick do. 13 Go and learn the meaning of this Scriptural passage: ‘I want mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call to repentance the righteous, but the sinners.”
FASTING
14 Then the Disciples of John came to him and asked him: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast so often, while your Disciples do not fast at all?”
15 Jesus answered them: “The wedding guests cannot mourn, while the bridegroom is with them. But the day is coming, when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast also.”
NEW AND OLD
16 “No one uses a piece of new cloth to patch an old coat. For the patch will tear away from the coat and make the hole worse than before. 17 Likewise, no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins burst, the wine runs out, and the skins are ruined. Therefore everyone puts new wine into new wineskins. Thus both of them are preserved.”
JAIRUS
18 While Jesus was preaching this sermon to them, an official came to him, knelt before him, and said: “My daughter has just died. Come, lay your hand on her, and restore her to life.” 19 Jesus arose and followed him with his Disciples.
WOMAN WITH HEMORRHAGE
20 Thereupon a woman who had suffered from hemorrhage for twelve years came behind him and touched the fringe of his garment. 21 She said to herself: “If I merely touch the fringe of his garment, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned around, saw her, and said: “Courage, my daughter. Your faith has healed you.” Indeed the woman was healed at that very moment.
THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS
23 When Jesus reached the official’s house, he found the funeral flute-players and mourners in an uproar. 24 He said to them: “Go away. For the girl is not dead, but asleep.” They laughed at him. 25 After the mourners had been driven out, Jesus went in, grasped her hand, and restored her to life. 26 The report of this miracle spread all over that region.
THE TWO BLIND MEN
27 As Jesus was passing along from the official’s house, two blind men followed him and cried aloud: “Have mercy on us, O Son of David!” 28 When he had gone into his house, the blind men came up to him. Thereupon Jesus asked them: “Do you believe that I can heal you?” They answered him: “Yes, my Lord.”
29 Then he touched their eyes, and said: “Receive your sight according to your faith.” 30 Their eyes were opened immediately. Jesus warned them sternly: “Be sure not to tell anybody.” 31 But they went out and spread the news all over that region.
THE DUMB DEMONIAC
32 Just as they were going out, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. 33 Jesus cast out the demon, and the dumb demoniac spoke for the first time. The crowds were amazed and said: “Such a miracle was never seen before in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees retorted: “He is casting out demons through the prince of demons.”
COMPASSION FOR THE PEOPLE
35 Then Jesus went to all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, healing every disease and infirmity of the people.
36 When he saw the people, he was moved with pity for them, because they were harassed and scattered like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his Disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore ask the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers to gather his crops.”
St. Matthew – Chapter 10
THE TWELVE APOSTLES
1 Thereupon Jesus called his twelve Apostles, and gave them power to cast out unclean spirits and heal every disease and every infirmity.
2 The names of the twelve Apostles are the following: The first, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the publican; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed him.
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE APOSTLES
5 Jesus sent out these twelve Apostles, and gave them the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
7 “As you go, preach and announce: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is drawing near.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out the demons. Freely you received, freely also give. 9 Take neither gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts. 10 Take no wallet for your journey, nor a second shirt, nor spare shoes, nor staff. For the workman deserves his food.
11 “When you enter a city or a village, find out who is worthy to be your host, and stay there until you go away. 12 When you enter a house, salute it and say: ‘Peace be with this house.’ 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 “As you go out of the house or the city which will not receive you or listen to your message, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Well, I tell you, On the Day of Judgment, the sentence will be more lenient for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city.”
PERSECUTIONS
16 “Listen, I send you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be clever like serpents and innocent like doves. 17 Beware of men. For they will deliver you to their councils and they will flog you in their synagogues. 18 They will drag you before governors and kings for my sake, to testify before them and before the Gentiles.
19 “When they drag you to the courts, do not worry about how or what to speak. Words will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it will not be you who will speak. Indeed the Holy Spirit of the Father will speak through you.
21 “Then a brother will deliver his brother to death, a father his child, and children will rise against parents and will kill them. 22 For you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.
23 “When they persecute you in one city, take refuge in another. Well, I tell you, the Messiah will come before you have gone through all the cities of Israel.”
MASTER AND DISCIPLE
24 “A disciple is not above his master. Likewise, a servant is not above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his master, and for the servant to be like his lord. If they have called the Master of the House ‘Beelzebub,’ then they will call his servants much worse.
26 “So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed which will not be revealed, nor secret which will not be disclosed. 27 Proclaim in the light what I tell you in the dark. Preach from the housetops what I whisper in your ears.”
TRUST IN GOD
28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Be rather afraid of the Lord who can kill both soul and body in Hades.
29 “You know that two sparrows are sold for a penny. Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. 30 Indeed the very hairs of your head are numbered. 31 Therefore do not be afraid. For you are certainly worth much more than sparrows.”
FOLLOW JESUS
32 “Therefore everyone who acknowledges me before men, I will acknowledge him also before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me before men, I will deny him also before my Father in heaven.
34 “Do not imagine that I have come to bring peace on earth. I came to bring, not peace, but war. 35 I came to set a son against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 Then the worst foes of a man will be the members of his own household.
37 “Everyone who loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me. Everyone who loves son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. 38 And everyone who does not take his cross and follow me, is not worthy of me. 39 Everyone who finds his life, will lose it. And everyone who loses his life for my sake, will find it.”
CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES
40 “Everyone who receives you, receives me. And everyone who receives me, receives my Father who sent me. 41 Everyone who receives a prophet, because he is a prophet, will receive a prophet’s reward. Everyone who receives a righteous man, because he is a righteous man, will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And everyone who gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, because he is a disciple of mine, well, I tell you that he will not lose his reward.”
THE MESSIAH
1 When Jesus had finished his instructions to his twelve Disciples, he left that region and went to teach and preach in their cities.
2 Now when John had heard in the prison about the deeds which Jesus was performing, he sent two of his disciples, 3 and asked him: “Are you the Messiah whose coming was prophesied, or shall we wait for someone else?”
4 Jesus answered them: “Go and report to John what you have heard and seen yourselves: 5 The blind see. The lame walk. The lepers are cleansed. The deaf hear. The dead are raised. The Gospel is preached to the poor. 6 Therefore blessed is the man who will not turn away from me.”
JOHN THE BAPTIST
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “You did not go to the desert to see a reed shaken by the wind. 8 You did not go out to see a man wearing fine clothes. Because those who wear fine clothes are to be found in the palaces of kings.
9 “No. You went out to see a Prophet. Yes, I tell you, and more than a Prophet. 10 For this is the man, of whom God tells us in the Scriptures: ‘Listen, I send you my messenger to prepare the way for you.’
11 “Well, I tell you, among those born of women, no one was greater than John the Baptist. Yet the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven is being stormed and captured by enthusiastic disciples. 13 For all the Prophets and the Scripture prophesied about John. 14 If you are ready to believe it, he is Elijah, who was expected to come as the forerunner of the Messiah. 15 Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
CHILDISH CRITICISM
16 “I will show you what the men of this generation are like. They are like children sitting in the market-place and shouting to their playmates: 17 ‘We played a jig for you, but you did not dance for us. We sang a dirge for you, but you did not mourn with us.’
18 “When John came, he was neither eating nor drinking. So they said that he was possessed. 19 Now the Messiah has come. He is both eating and drinking. So they say: ‘Look, he is a glutton, a drunkard, a friend of publicans and sinners.’ Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by the achievements of her Prophets.”
THE UNREPENTANT CITIES
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities, in which he had performed most of his miracles and which had not repented: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles, which I have performed before you, had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 Therefore I tell you, on the Day of Judgment the sentence will be more lenient for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
23 “And you, Capernaum, exalted as high as heaven, you will fall as low as Hades. For if the miracles, which I have performed before you, had occurred in Sodom, certainly Sodom would have stood to this day. 24 Therefore I tell you, on the Day of Judgment the sentence will be more lenient for Sodom than for you.”
THANKSGIVING
25 Then Jesus declared: “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. For you have concealed these secrets from wise and clever men, but you have revealed them to children. 26 Yes, Father, for such was your good pleasure.”
FATHER AND SON
27 “Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father. For no one knows the Son except the Father. And no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wants to reveal him.”
UNION WITH CHRIST
28 “Come to me, all of you who are tired and burdened. I will give you rest. 29 Take up my yoke and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in heart. I will give peace to your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
THE SABBATH OBSERVANCE
1 At that time, Jesus walked through the wheatfields on the Sabbath day. His Disciples were hungry. So they began to pluck ears of wheat and eat them. 2 The Pharisees noticed it and said to him: “Look, your Disciples are doing something which is not allowed on the Sabbath day.”
3 Jesus answered them: “You have read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry. 4 He entered the house of God and ate the oblation loaves. As you know, with the exception of the priests, neither he, nor his companions, nor anyone else had the right to eat them.
5 “You have also read in the Scriptures that the priests are not considered guilty when they violate the Sabbath rest in the temple. 6 Now I tell you that someone here is greater than the temple. 7 Moreover, you have read the Scriptural passage: ‘I want mercy, and not sacrifice.’ If you knew what it means, you would not have condemned innocent men. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.”
THE CRIPPLE
9 Then he passed on from that place and went into their synagogue. 10 Now a man with a withered hand was standing there. In order to entrap him, the Jews asked him: “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?”
11 He answered them: “Suppose, one among you owns a single sheep which falls into a ditch on the Sabbath day. Surely he will take hold of it and lift it out. 12 Now a man is much more important than a sheep. Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.”
13 Thereupon he said to the man: “Stretch out your hand. He stretched it out. Indeed it was restored and became as well as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees consulted together against Jesus as to how they might put him to death.
15 But Jesus knew of this conspiracy and left the place immediately. Large crowds followed him. He cured all their sick. 16 But he ordered them not to mention him.
PROPHECY OF ISAIAH
17 Thus the prophecy was fulfilled: “18 Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved who is well-pleasing to my soul. I will endow him with my Spirit, and he will proclaim righteousness to the Gentiles. 19 He will not wrangle, nor shout, and no one will hear his voice in the streets. 20 He will not break a bruised reed, nor quench a smoldering wick until he brings righteousness to victory. 21 The Gentiles will hope in his name.”
BLIND AND DUMB
22 Then a blind and dumb demoniac was brought to him. Jesus cured him and gave him both speech and sight. 23 All the crowds were amazed and said: “This man may be the Messiah, the Son of David.”
BEELZEBUB
24 When the Pharisees heard it, they said: “This man can expel demons only through Beelzebub, the prince of demons. 25 Jesus guessed their thoughts and answered them: “Every kingdom which is at war with itself will come to ruin. For no city or household which is at war with itself can endure.
26 “If Satan casts out Satan, he is at war with himself. Then how can his kingdom endure? 27 If I cast out demons through Beelzebub, then tell me, through whom do your own disciples cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
28 “But if I cast them out through the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come among you. 29 No one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he has first bound the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. 30 Everyone who is not with me, is against me. And everyone who does not gather with me scatters.”
UNFORGIVABLE BLASPHEMY
31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven. But blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. Everyone who speaks against the Messiah will be forgiven. But no one who speaks against the Holy Spirit will be forgiven either in this world, or in the world to come.”
TREES AND THEIR FRUITS
33 “Either declare the tree good and its fruit good, or declare the tree bad and its fruit bad. For you can tell a tree by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you say anything good when you are wicked? For the mouth expresses what the mind is full of. 35 From the storehouse of the mind, a good man derives good words, and a wicked man derives wicked words. 36 Now I tell you, men will have to answer on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they utter. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
MIRACLE OF JONAH
38 Then some of the Scribes and Pharisees said to him: “Master, we want to see a miracle from you.”
39 Jesus replied: “A wicked and adulterous generation wants a miracle. But no miracle except that of Jonah the Prophet will be given to them. 40 For as Jonah stayed three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, likewise the Messiah will stay three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 “The inhabitants of Nineveh will rise on the Day of Judgment against this generation and will condemn it. Because they repented, when Jonah preached to them. Look, here is a greater man than Jonah among you.”
42 “The Queen of the South will rise on the Day of Judgment against this generation and will condemn it. Because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. Look, here is a greater man than Solomon among you.”
DEMONIACS
43 “When a demon goes out of a man, he roams through deserts in search of rest and finds none. 44 Then he says: ‘I will go back to my house that I left.’ Thereupon he returns and finds his house unoccupied, cleaned, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and gets seven other demons, more wicked than himself. So they all enter and live there. Consequently the man is worse off in the end than he was before. This is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
MOTHER AND BRETHREN
46 While Jesus was still preaching to the people, his Mother and his brethren stood outside, and wanted to speak to him. 47 So someone told him: “Listen! Your Mother and your brethren are standing outside, and want to see you.”
48 Jesus answered: “Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?” 49 Then he stretched out his hand toward his Disciples, and said: “Here are my mother and my brethren. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, my sister, and my mother.”
THE SOWER
1 On that same day Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the seashore. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he boarded a ship and sat there instead, while the people were standing on the beach.
3 He preached to them at great length in parables, and said: “Listen: A sower went out to sow. 4 As he was sowing, some seeds fell along the path. But the birds came and ate them up.
5 “Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where the soil was shallow. They sprouted immediately, because they had not sunk deep in the ground. 6 But when the sun rose, they were parched and withered away, because they had taken no root.
7 “Other seeds fell among the thorns. But the thorns grew up and choked them.
8 “Other seeds fell on good ground and yielded, some a hundredfold, some a sixtyfold, some a thirtyfold crop.
9 “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
10 Then the Disciples came to Jesus and asked him: “Why do you preach in parables to the people?”
11 He answered them: “It is granted to you, but not to them, to know the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven. 12 For everyone who has much will be given more and will be abundantly supplied. But everyone who has little will be deprived even of what he has. 13 For this reason I preach to them in parables. Because they look, but do not see. They listen, but they do not hear and do not understand.”
14 Thus the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: “They will listen and listen, but will never understand. They will look and look, but will never see. 15 For their minds are dull. Their ears are deaf. And their eyes are blind. So they will never see with those eyes. They will never hear with those ears. They will never understand with those minds. They will never turn back to me and let me heal them.
16 “But blessed are your eyes. For they see. And blessed are your ears. For they hear. 17 Well, I tell you, many prophets and righteous men of the past have longed to see what you see, but never saw it. They have longed to hear what you hear, but never heard it.
18 “Now listen to the meaning of the parable of the sower: 19 Whenever a man hears the Gospel of the Kingdom, but does not understand it, the devil comes and carries off what was sown in his heart. This is the seed which fell along the path.
20 “The seed which fell on rocky ground is the man who hears the Gospel and receives it at once with joy. 21 Yet he is too shallow to plant it deep in his heart. So he remains loyal only for a little while. But when trouble or persecution comes on account of the Gospel, he falls away immediately.
22 “The seed which fell among the thorns is the man who hears the Gospel, but allows the cares of this world and the deceptions of riches to choke it. So it remains fruitless.
23 “The seed which fell on good ground is the man who hears the Gospel, and understands it. Such men yield, one a hundredfold, another a sixtyfold, and another a thirtyfold crop.”
THE WEEDS
24 Jesus narrated another parable to them: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while his servants were asleep, his enemy came, sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the blades came up and bore fruit, the tares appeared also.
27 “Then the servants of the owner came and asked him: ‘Lord, you sowed good seed in your field. So where did these tares come from?’ 28 He answered them: ‘An enemy did it.’ Then the servants asked him again: ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’ 29 He answered them: ‘No. For while you gather up the tares, you may uproot the wheat also. 30 Let them both grow together until harvest time. Then I will say to the reapers: ‘Gather up the tares first, tie them up, and burn them. Then gather up the wheat, and put it into my barn.'”
THE MUSTARD SEED
31 Jesus narrated another parable to them: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds. But when it grows up, it becomes such a great plant that the birds of the sky come and lodge in its branches.”
THE YEAST
33 Jesus narrated another parable to them: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast which a woman took and buried in three measures of meal. Then the whole lump was leavened.”
34 Jesus preached all these sermons to the people in parables. For very often he preached to them in parables only. 35 Thus the prediction of the prophet was fulfilled: “I will speak in parables. I will reveal what has remained a secret since the foundation of the world.”
THE MESSIAH AND THE DEVIL
36 Then Jesus dismissed the crowds, and returned to his house. Thereupon the Disciples came to him, and said: “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”
37 He answered them: “The sower who sows the good seed, is the Messiah. 38 The field is the world. The sons of the Kingdom are the good seed. The sons of the devil are the tares. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are the angels.
40 “Just as the tares are gathered up and burned, so it will happen at the end of the world. 41 The Messiah will send forth his angels. They will gather out of his Kingdom all the offenders and the evildoers, 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where sinners are wailing and gnashing their teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
THE TREASURE
44 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure, buried in a field, which a man has found and covered up again. Then in his joy he goes home, sells everything he has, and buys that field.”
THE PEARL
45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of precious pearls. 46 When he has found a costly pearl, he goes home, sells everything he has, and buys that pearl.”
THE NET
47 Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net, which was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was filled, the fishermen dragged it to the beach. Then they sat down, sorted the good fish into baskets, and threw the bad fish away.
49 “So it will happen at the end of the world. The angels will go out and remove the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where sinners are wailing and gnashing their teeth.”
THE HOUSEHOLDER
51 Then Jesus asked his Disciples: “Do you understand all these parables?” They answered: “Yes, Master.” 52 Thereupon Jesus added: “Therefore every disciple who has been initiated in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a householder, who can supply from his storehouse both new and old treasures.”
JESUS AT NAZARETH
53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place, 54 returned to his own country, and preached to the people in their synagogue. They were amazed and kept asking: “Where did he acquire this wisdom and the power to perform these miracles?”
55 “He is the mere son of a carpenter. Mary is his mother. James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas are his brothers. 56 All his sisters are living here with us. Then where did he get all this power?”
57 Consequently, they all turned against him. Then Jesus said to them: “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own country and in his own home.” 58 Therefore because of their unbelief, he did not perform many miracles in Nazareth.
DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
1 At that time, Herod the tetrach heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and said to his attendants: “This is John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead. That is why he possesses such miraculous powers.”
3 Now Herod had arrested John, put him in chains, and imprisoned him on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4 For John had told him: “It is not lawful for you to live with her.” 5 Herod wanted to put him to death, but he was afraid of the people who considered him a Prophet.
6 But when Herod was celebrating his birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before his guests. Herod was delighted. 7 Thereupon he promised with an oath to give her anything she might ask for. 8 Prompted by her mother beforehand, she replied: “Give me the head of John the Baptist right now on a platter.”
9 The king was reluctant. But because he had sworn to do it in the presence of his guests, he granted her request. 10 So he gave orders to behead John in the prison. 11 His head was brought upon a platter and was given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
12 Later on, his disciples came, removed the body, and buried him. Then they went and reported the news to Jesus.
FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND
13 Thereupon Jesus went away from there secretly and retired by ship to a desert place. But the people heard of it and followed him on foot from the cities. 14 When he landed, he saw a large crowd, he pitied them, and healed their sick.
15 In the evening, his Disciples came to him, and said: “This is a desert place, and the time is already late. Dismiss the people, and let them go to the villages, where they can buy food for themselves.”
16 Jesus answered them: “They do not need to go away. Give them food yourselves.” 17 They replied: “We have here only five loaves and two fishes.” 18 He said to them: “Bring them here to me.”
19 Then he ordered the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fishes, looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke them, and handed them to his Disciples, who distributed them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied. Later on, they gathered the pieces which were left over, and filled twelve baskets with them. 21 Those who ate were about five thousand men besides women and children.
WALKING ON WATER
22 Thereupon he compelled his Disciples to board the ship and cross before him to the other side, while he was dismissing the people. 23 After he had sent the crowds away, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. He remained there alone in the evening.
24 But the ship was already in the midst of the Sea, tossed by the waves. For the wind was against them. 25 Toward morning, Jesus went out to them, walking on the Sea. 26 When the Disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified, and exclaimed: “It is a ghost!” They screamed for fear.
27 Jesus spoke to them immediately, and said: “Courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 Peter told him: “Master, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said: “Come.” Peter got out of the ship and walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But he was frightened by the violent wind, began to sink, and shouted: “Master, save me!”
31 Jesus stretched out his hand immediately, seized him, and said: “Man of little faith! Why did you waver?” 32 So they boarded the ship. Thereupon the wind ceased. 33 The men in the ship worshipped him, and said: “You are indeed the Son of God.”
34 Then they crossed over to the other side, and landed at the region of Gennesaret. 35 The inhabitants of the region recognized him. So they sent messengers into all that neighborhood, and brought to him all those who were sick. 36 They entreated him to let them touch the fringe of his garment. All those who did were healed.
TRADITIONS AND COMMANDMENTS
1 Then some Scribes and Pharisees came to Jesus, and asked him: 2 “Why do your Disciples violate the traditions of our ancestors? For they do not purify their hands when they eat bread.”
3 He answered them: “And why do you violate the commandments of God with your traditions? 4 For instance, God commanded: ‘Honor your father and your mother, and everyone who curses his father and mother must be put to death.’
5 “But you say: ‘Everyone who tells his father or mother that he gives to God whatever is useful to them, 6 does not need to provide for his parents. Thus you nullify the commandments of God with your traditions.
7 “You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied well about you when he said: 8 ‘These people honor me with their lips. But their hearts are far away from me. 9 Their worship is meaningless. For the commandments they teach are human precepts.'”
DEFILEMENT
10 Thereupon Jesus gathered the people around him and told them: “Listen and understand! 11 What defiles a man is not the food he eats, but the word he speaks.”
12 Later on, the Disciples came to him and told him: “You must know that the Pharisees were shocked when they heard your remark.” 13 Jesus answered them: “My Father in heaven will uproot every plant which he has not planted himself. 14 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of blind men. Now when the blind lead the blind, they will both fall into the ditch.”
15 Then Peter asked him: “Explain this parable for us.” Jesus answered him: 16 “So you did not understand me either. 17 Well, you know that the food which a man eats, goes into the stomach, and then it is disposed of. 18 But the words which a man speaks proceed from the mind, and that is what defiles a man.
19 “For out of the mind proceed evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury and blasphemy. 20 A man is defiled by these sins. He is not defiled by his unpurified hands.”
THE CANANEAN WOMAN
21 Then Jesus went away from there and retired to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Thereupon a Cananean woman of that district came out, and screamed: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David: My daughter is possessed by a dreadful demon.”
23 He did not answer a word. But the Disciples implored him, and said: “Help her and send her away, for she keeps on screaming after us.” 24 He answered them: “I am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25 In the meantime, the woman approached, knelt before him, and said: “My Lord, help me.” 26 He replied: “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She retorted: “Yes, my Lord. For even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.”
28 Thereupon Jesus said: “Woman, your faith is great. Let your daughter be healed, as you have wished.” Indeed her daughter was healed at that very moment.
HEALINGS
29 Then Jesus went away from there, passed along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. 30 Great crowds came to him, and brought with them the lame, the blind, the deaf, the crippled, as well as other sick men, and put them at his feet. He cured them all.
31 The people were astonished, when they saw the dumb speaking, the crippled restored to health, the lame walking, the blind seeing, and they glorified the God of Israel.
FEEDING THE FOUR THOUSAND
32 Then Jesus called his Disciples aside, and said to them: “I pity these people. They have been staying with me for three days, and they have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry. For they will faint on the way.”
33 His Disciples replied: “Where can we get bread enough in this desert to feed such a crowd?” 34 Jesus asked them: “How many loaves have you?” They answered him: “Seven loaves and a few fishes.”
35 Thereupon he ordered the people to sit down on the ground. 36 He took the seven loaves and the fishes, he gave thanks, he broke them, and handed them to his Disciples, who distributed them to the multitude.
37 They all ate and were satisfied. Later on, they gathered the pieces which were left over, and filled seven baskets with them. 38 Those who had eaten were four thousand besides women and children. 39 Then he dismissed the people, boarded a ship and went to the region of Magdala.
THE MIRACLE OF JONAH
1 At that time, the Pharisees and the Sadducees came to test him, and asked him to show them a miracle from heaven. 2 He answered them: “In the evening you forecast fair weather when the sky is pink. 3 In the morning you forecast a storm when the sky is dark red. You hypocrites, you know how to read the signs of the sky. But how is it that you cannot read the signs of the times?”
4 “Men of a wicked and adulterous generation! You ask for a miracle. But no miracle will be given to you except that of Jonah the Prophet.” So he left them and went away.
PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES
5 When the Disciples went across the lake, they noticed that they had forgotten to take bread with them. 6 Then Jesus said to them: “Look out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 The Disciples thought that Jesus made that remark, because they had not taken bread with them.
8 Jesus guessed their thoughts and told them: “Men of little faith, you are worrying about not taking bread with you. 9 So you still do not understand. Well, remember the five loaves for the five thousand and the number of baskets you filled afterwards. 10 Remember the seven loaves for the four thousand and the number of baskets you filled afterwards.”
11 “As you see, I was not talking about bread when I warned you to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not warning them against the leaven of bread, but against the doctrines of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
PETER’S TESTIMONY
13 When Jesus came to the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his Disciples: “Who do the people say that I am?” 14 They answered him: “Some say, John the Baptist. Others say, Elijah. And others, Jeremiah, or one of the Prophets.”
15 Jesus asked them again: “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered him: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus said to him: “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah! For you have not received that revelation from a man, but from my Father in heaven. 18 So I say to you: You are Peter the rock, and upon that rock I will build my Church, which the powers of Hades will be unable to overcome. 19 I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Moreover, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
20 Thereupon he strictly forbade them to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
FIRST PREDICTION OF THE PASSION
21 From that time onwards, Jesus began to explain to his Disciples that he must go up to Jerusalem, endure great suffering at the hands of the elders, chief priests and scribes, be put to death, and rise on the third day.”
22 Then Peter took him aside, reproved him, and said: “God forbid, my Lord. That will never happen to you.”
23 But he turned and said to Peter: “Go away from me, Satan. You have shocked me. This time, you are not inspired by God, but by man.”
FOLLOWING JESUS
24 Then Jesus said to his Disciples: “Whoever wants to come after me let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. 25 For everyone who wants to save his life will lose it. But everyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.
26 “It does not profit a man at all, if he gains the whole world, but loses his own life. There is no ransom a man can give to recover the life he has lost.
27 “For the Messiah will come with his Angels in the glory of the Father. Then he will reward every man according to his deeds. 28 Well, I tell you, some of you who are standing here will live to see the Messiah coming in his Kingdom.”
TRANSFIGURATION
1 Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John, led them apart on a high mountain, 2 and was transfigured before them. His face glittered as the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
3 Thereupon Moses and Elijah appeared conversing with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus: “Master, we would like to stay here. If you wish, I will erect here three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a shining cloud overshadowed them. Thereupon a voice came out of the cloud, saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
6 When the Disciples heard the voice, they fell upon their faces and were dreadfully frightened. 7 In the meantime, Jesus came, touched them, and said: “Arise, and do not be afraid. 8 When they looked up, they saw no one but Jesus alone.
9 As they were going down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying: “Do not tell anyone of this vision until the Messiah is risen from the dead.”
ELIJAH
10 Then his Disciples asked him: “Why do the Scribes maintain that Elijah must come first before the Messiah?”
11 Jesus answered them: “True, Elijah must come first and inaugurate the Messianic era. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has come already. They did not recognize him and treated him shamefully. Likewise they will torture the Messiah also.” 13 Then the Disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.
THE DEMONIAC
14 When they reached the crowds, a man came to Jesus, knelt before him, and said: 15 “My Lord, have mercy on my son, because he is a lunatic, and suffers terribly. Often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 I brought him to your Disciples. But they could not cure him.”
17 Then Jesus said: “O faithless and perverse generation! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.”
18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and cast him out. The boy was healed at that very moment.
19 Later on, the Disciples came to Jesus in private, and asked him: “How is it that we could not cast the demon out?” 20 Jesus answered them: “Because of your lack of faith. Well, I tell you, if you have as much faith as a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain: ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will certainly move. With faith nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind of demon can be cast out only by prayer and fasting.”
SECOND PREDICTION OF THE PASSION
22 While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus told them: “The Messiah will be delivered into the hands of men. 23 They will put him to death. But he will rise again on the third day.” The Disciples were deeply grieved by this prediction.
THE TEMPLE TAX
24 When they had reached Capernaum, the tax collectors came to Peter and asked him: “Does your Master pay the temple-tax?” 25 He answered: “Yes.” When he went into the house, Jesus anticipated him and asked him: “Tell me, Simon, from whom do the earthly kings collect customs and tribute? From their own people, or from aliens?”
26 Peter answered him: “From aliens.” Jesus told him: “Then their own subjects are exempt. 27 But we will not disobey them. So go down to the Sea. Throw in a hook. Catch the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth, and you will find in it a piece of money. Take that coin, and pay the temple-tax for both of us.”
HUMILITY
1 At that moment, the Disciples came to Jesus and asked him: “Who is really the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
2 Jesus called a child, placed him in their midst, 3 and said: “Well, I tell you, unless you turn back and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 For whoever is as humble as this child, is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5 Whoever receives one child like this one in my name, receives me. 6 And whoever leads astray one of these little ones who believe in me, deserves to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck and be sunk in the deep sea.”
TEMPTATIONS
7 “Woe to mankind, which is led astray by temptations. True, temptations have to come. But woe to the man who causes them. 8 Therefore if your hand or your foot leads you astray, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter everlasting life lame or maimed than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.
9 “If your eye leads you astray, pluck it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter everlasting life one-eyed than to have two eyes and be thrown into the eternal fire.”
THE LOST SHEEP
10 “Beware of despising one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels have continual access to my Father in heaven. 11 Moreover, the Messiah has come to save those who are lost.
12 “Remember, if a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, he will leave the ninety-nine on the mountainside and go in search of the one which went astray. 13 If he happens to find it, well, I tell you that he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. 14 Likewise your Father in heaven does not want to lose a single one of these little ones.”
FRATERNAL RECONCILLIATION
15 “If your brother wrongs you, go to him and reprove him when you are alone with him. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. 16 If he does not listen to you, take one or two brethren along with you, to have your entire conversation confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, appeal the case to the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, treat him as a pagan and a publican. 18 Well, I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. And whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
UNITED PRAYER
19 “Well, again I tell you that if two of you agree on earth about any request, you will certainly obtain it from my Father in heaven. 20 For wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there also in their midst.”
FORGIVENESS
21 Then Peter came to him and asked him: “Master, how many times must I forgive my brother who wrongs me? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus answered him: “I do not tell you seven times, but seventy times seven.”
THE CRUEL SERVANT
23 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a king, who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24 “When he had begun the reckoning, one of his servants who owed him ten thousand talents was brought in. 25 As he could not pay, his master gave orders to sell him with his wife, his children, and all his property in payment of the debt. 26 Thereupon the servant knelt before him, implored him, and said: ‘Master, give me time, and I will pay you in full.’ 27 His master, moved with pity for him, released him and cancelled his debt.
28 “But when that servant went out, he met one of his fellow-servants who owed him one hundred shillings. Thereupon he caught him by the throat, and said to him: ‘Pay me your debt.’ 29 His fellow-servant knelt before him, implored him, and said: ‘Give me time, and I will pay you.’ 30 The cruel servant refused. He went instead and threw him into prison until he should repay his debt.
31 “When the other servants saw what had occurred, they were deeply grieved. So they went to their master and reported the entire story to him.
32 “Thereupon his master sent for him, and told him: “You wicked servant! I cancelled your enormous debt when you entreated me. 33 Therefore it was your duty to have mercy on your fellow-servant as I had mercy on you.’
34 “Then his angry master handed him over to the jailers and gave them orders to torture him until he should pay his entire debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to everyone of you, if you do not forgive the trespasses of your brother with all your heart.”
DIVORCE
1 When Jesus had finished these sermons, he left Galilee, and went to the region beyond the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him. So he cured their sick there.
3 Then the Pharisees came to him to test him and asked him: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds whatever?”
4 He answered them: “You have read in the Scripture that the Creator at the beginning made a man and a woman, 5 and said: ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother. He will cling to his wife. And the two will become one flesh.’ 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore let no man separate those whom God has joined together.”
7 But they asked him: “Then why did Moses command that a man may give a writ of separation to his wife and then put her away?”
8 Jesus answered them: “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives on account of your perversity. But that was not the original tradition. 9 Therefore I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife for any other cause except unfaithfulness and marries another woman commits adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery also.”
10 Then the Disciples said to him: “If that is the right relation of a man to his wife, then it is inexpedient to marry at all.”
11 Jesus answered them: “Celibacy is not acceptable for everyone. It is only for those who have a special gift for it. 12 There are men who have been eunuchs from their birth. There are men who have been made eunuchs by other men. And there are men who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. So whoever is able to accept celibacy, let him accept it.”
BLESSING OF CHILDREN
13 Then some parents brought their children and asked him to lay his hands on them and bless them. The Disciples reproved them.
14 But Jesus said: “Let the children alone, and do not prevent them from coming to me. For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” 15 Thereupon he laid his hands upon them, blessed them, and went away.
THE RICH YOUNG MAN
16 Then a young man came to Jesus, knelt before him, and asked him: “Good Master, what good work must I do to inherit everlasting life?”
17 Jesus answered him: “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God. But if you want to inherit everlasting life, obey the commandments.”
18 The young man asked him again: “Which ones?” Jesus answered him: “Do not kill, Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. 19 Honor your father and mother. And love your neighbor as yourself.”
20 The young man said to him: “I have obeyed all these commandments since my childhood. What else must I do?”
21 Jesus answered him: “If you want to become perfect, sell your property, give the money to the poor, and you will possess a treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me.”
22 But when the young man heard this advice, he went away broken-hearted. For he was very wealthy.
23 Thereupon Jesus said to his Disciples: “Well, I tell you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
25 When the Disciples heard this statement, they were utterly amazed and asked him: “Then who can be saved? 26 Jesus looked at them, and answered: “This achievement is impossible for man, but everything is possible for God.”
THE REWARD
27 Then Peter asked him: “Listen, we have given up everything and followed you. What reward are we going to get?”
28 Jesus answered him: “Well, I tell you, in the new world, when the Messiah will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will sit on twelve thrones and will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 Then everyone who has given up houses, or land, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold reward and will inherit everlasting life. 30 Then many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
THE LABORERS OF THE VINEYARD
1 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a householder who went out in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a shilling a day and sent them to his vineyard.
3 “About nine o’clock he went out again and saw some others standing idle in the market-place. 4 He told them: ‘Go to my vineyard also, and I will pay you fairly for your work.’ So they went off.
5 “About noon and about three o’clock in the afternoon, he went out again, and did the same thing. 6 Finally, about five o’clock in the afternoon, he went out again, and found still others, standing idle. He asked them: ‘Why do you stay here idle all day?’ 7 They answered: ‘Because nobody has hired us.’ He told them: ‘Go to my vineyard also, and I will pay you fairly for your work.’
8 “In the evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his overseer: ‘Call the laborers, and pay them the same wages, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ 9 So those who were hired last, about five o’clock in the afternoon, came first and received a shilling apiece.
10 “Those who were hired first, early in the morning, came last and expected to get more. But they also received a shilling apiece. 11 Therefore they grumbled against the householder, 12 and said: ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour. But you have put them on an equal footing with us who have done the heavy work of the day during the scorching heat.
13 “The householder answered their spokesman: ‘My friend I am doing you no wrong. We agreed for a shilling a day. 14 Take your money and go home. I want to give as much to this last comer as I give you. 15 I think, I am free to do with my money as I please. You have no right to be angry because I am generous. 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are invited, but few are eligible.”
THIRD PREDICTION OF THE PASSION
17 Then, as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve Disciples aside on the way, and said to them: 18 “Listen! We are now going up to Jerusalem. There the Messiah will be betrayed to the chief priests and Scribes. He will be sentenced to death by them. 19 He will be delivered to the Gentiles. He will be derided, flogged, and crucified. But he will rise again on the third day.”
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
20 Thereupon the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons. She knelt before him to make a request. 21 Jesus asked her: “What do you want?” She answered: “Grant to my two sons to sit, one on your right hand and the other on your left, when you become a King.”
22 Jesus replied: “You do not know what you are asking for. Can you drink the cup I am going to drink, and be baptized, as I am going to be baptized?” They answered him: “We can.”
23 Then Jesus said to them: “Indeed you will drink my cup and you will be baptized with my baptism. But I have no authority to place you on my right and on my left. Because these seats will be granted by my Father to those whom he has foreordained.”
24 When the other ten heard this request, they were very indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them aside and told them: “You know that the rulers of the pagans enslave their subjects, and their great men oppress them. 26 But it will not be so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to great among you must be your servant. 27 And whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. 28 For the Messiah has not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for the people.”
THE TWO BLIND MEN
29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Thereupon two blind men sitting by the roadside heard that Jesus was passing by, and cried aloud: “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David.”
31 The people reproved them, and told them to keep quiet. But they shouted all the more, and said: “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”
32 Jesus stopped, called them, and asked them: “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They answered: “Open our eyes.” 34 Jesus took pity on them, and touched their eyes. They regained their sight immediately, and followed him.
MESSIANIC ENTRY
1 As they came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, Jesus sent two Disciples, 2 and said to them: “Go to the village opposite you. There you will find a donkey and a colt, tied together. Untie them and bring them here. 3 If anyone says anything to you, reply: ‘The Lord needs them.’ Then he will allow you to take them immediately.”
4 Thus the prophecy was fulfilled: 5 “Tell the daughter of Zion: ‘Look, your King is coming to you meek and mounted on a donkey with a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'”
6 So the Disciples went off and did as Jesus had ordered them. 7 They brought the donkey with the colt, put their garments on them, and he mounted the donkey. 8 A very large number of people spread their cloaks in his way. Others cut branches from the trees, and scattered them before him.
9 The crowds, which marched before him and after him, shouted: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 So, when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was in commotion. The onlookers kept asking: “Who is this man?” 11 The people answered: “This is Jesus the Prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
CLEANSING THE TEMPLE
12 Thereupon Jesus went into the temple of God. He drove out all those who were selling or buying in it. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the stands of the pigeondealers. 13 He told them: “The Scripture says: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you have made it a den of thieves.”
14 Then the blind and the lame came to him. He cured them all. 15 The chief priests and the Scribes were indignant when they saw the miracles which he had performed, and the children who were shouting in the temple: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” 16 So they asked him: “Do you hear what they say?” Jesus answered them: “Yes. Remember the Scriptural passage: ‘You have received praise from the mouths of children and infants.'” 17 Then he left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.
THE FIG TREE
18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, Jesus felt hungry. 19 Thereupon he saw a fig tree by the roadside. He went up to it, but found on it nothing but leaves. Then he said: “Let no fruit ever grow on you again.” The fig tree withered up at that very moment.
20 When the Disciples saw this miracle, they were amazed, and asked him: “How did the fig tree wither up instantly?”
21 Jesus answered: “Well, I tell you, if you have faith and do not waver, you will do more than what I have done to this fig tree. For even if you say to this mountain, ‘Rise up and plunge into the sea,’ it will certainly be done. 22 Likewise, you will obtain everything you pray for in faith.”
AUTHORITY
23 Then Jesus went into the temple. As he was preaching there, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and asked him: “By what authority do you act as you do, and who gave you that authority?”
24 Jesus answered them: “Well, I will ask you a question also. If you answer it, I will tell you by what authority I act as I do. Tell me: 25 Where did John’s baptism come from? Was it from God or from men?” They argued with one another: “If we say, ‘It was from God,’ he will tell us: ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 26 If we say, ‘It was from men,’ we are afraid of the people. For they all consider John a Prophet.”
27 So they answered Jesus: “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them: “Well, I will not tell you by what authority I act as I do either.”
THE TWO SONS
28 “Here is another question: There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said: ‘My son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 He answered: ‘I will not go.’ But later on, he changed his mind and went to work.
30 “Then the father went to his second son and told him the same thing. He answered: ‘Yes, father.’ But he did not go to work.
31 “Now which one of the two sons did the will of the father?” They answered him: “The first one.” Then Jesus said to them: “Well, I tell you, the publicans and the harlots will go to the Kingdom of Heaven ahead of you. 32 For John came to you on a mission of righteousness. You did not believe in him, while the publicans and the harlots did. Even after you saw him, you did not repent and you did not believe in him.”
THE WICKED TENANTS
33 “Listen to another parable: A landowner planted a vineyard, set a fence around it, dug a wine-press in it, and built a watch tower. Then he leased it to tenants, and went abroad.
34 “When the time for the vintage approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to receive his share of the fruit. 35 But the tenants seized his servants, beat the first one, killed the second one, and stoned the third one. 36 Again, the landowner sent other servants, more than the first ones. But the tenants treated them likewise.
37 “Finally, the landowner sent his own son to them, because he thought that they would respect him. 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another: ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39 So they seized him, drove him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
40 “Now, when the owner of the vineyard returns, what is he going to do to those tenants?” 41 They answered him: “He will put those miserable men to a miserable death, and he will lease his vineyard to other tenants who will pay him his share of the vintage when the season comes.”
THE CORNERSTONE
42 Then he added: “You have read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.’ It was the Lord’s work and seems marvellous in our eyes. 43 Therefore I tell you that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and will be given to nations who will produce the proper fruit. 44 Now anyone who falls on this stone will be broken. And anyone on whom this stone falls will be pulverized.”
45 When the chief priests and Pharisees had heard these parables, they were sure that he was speaking about them. 46 So they wanted to arrest him. But they were afraid of the people. For they considered him a Prophet.
THE WEDDING BANQUET
1 Again Jesus preached in parables, and said: 2 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a king, who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3 So he sent his servants to summon those whom he had invited to the banquet. But they refused to come.
4 “Again he sent other servants, and said to them: Tell those whom I have invited: ‘Listen! I have prepared my banquet. My bullocks and my fat calves are slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding festival.’
5 “But they ignored him and went off, one to his estate and another to his business. 6 The rest of them seized his servants, insulted them, and killed them.
7 “When the king heard this news, he was furious. So he sent his troops, put those murderers to death, and burned their city.
8 “Thereupon he said to his servants: ‘The banquet is ready. But those whom I had invited proved unworthy of it. 9 So go to the thoroughfares and invite to the banquet everyone you find. 10 The servants went out to the streets, and gathered all the people they could find, good or bad. Thus the hall was filled with guests.
11 “But when the king went in to look at the guests, he noticed a man who was not wearing a wedding garment, 12 and said to him: ‘My friend, how is it that you came here without a wedding garment?’ He made no reply.
13 “Then the king said to his attendants: ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness where sinners are wailing and gnashing their teeth.’ 14 For many are invited, but few are eligible.”
TRIBUTE TO CAESAR
15 At that time, the Pharisees consulted together about the ways and means of entrapping Jesus in argument. 16 So they sent their disciples and the Herodians to him, and asked him: “Master, we know that you are sincere and that you teach the way of God truthfully, fearlessly and impartially. 17 So give us your opinion: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
18 Jesus saw their malice and answered them: “Hypocrites, why do you try to trap me? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.” They handed him a shilling. 20 Thereupon Jesus asked them: “Whose is this effigy and inscription?” 21 They answered: “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus said to them: “Render therefore to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.”
22 When they heard his answer, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
THE SEVEN BROTHERS
23 On the same day, some Sadducees who do not believe in resurrection came to Jesus, 24 and said: “Master, Moses said that if a man dies without children, his brother must marry his widow and raise up a family for him.
25 “Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one of them married and died. As he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 So did the second and the third, down to the seventh brother. 27 After them, the woman died also. 28 At the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For every one of them had married her.”
29 Jesus answered them: “You are wrong, because you do not understand the Scriptures and the attributes of God. 30 For after the resurrection, human beings will neither marry nor be given in marriage. On the contrary, they will live like angels in heaven.
31 “As to the resurrection of the dead, you have read what God himself said: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Consequently, God is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living.” 33 The people who heard him were amazed by his doctrine.
THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT
34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they consulted together again. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, tested him with this question: 36 “Master, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus answered him: “You must love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul, and your whole mind.’ 38 This is the first and the greatest commandment. 39 The second one is similar to the first one: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets are summarized in these two commandments.”
THE SON OF DAVID
41 While the Pharisees were assembled there, Jesus asked them: 42 “Tell me, what do you think about the descent of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They answered him: “David’s.”
43 He said to them: “Yes. But David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, calls him ‘Master’ in this Scriptural passage: 44 ‘The Lord said to my Master: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’ 45 Now, if David calls him ‘Master,’ he cannot be his son.” 46 No one could give him an answer. So from that day no one ventured to ask him any more questions.
THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES
1 Then Jesus preached to the people and to his Disciples, 2 saying: “The Scribes and the Pharisees are the successors of Moses. 3 Therefore do and observe whatever they tell you. But do not imitate their actions. For they preach, but do not practice.
4 “They pile up heavy and insupportable burdens, and they put them on other men’s shoulders. But they will not lift a finger to move them. 5 They do everything to make a show before the people. They wear large phylacteries and long tassels. 6 They love the places of honor at banquets, the first seats in the synagogues, 7 respectful greetings in the market-place, and the title of Rabbi.
8 “Now do not give the title of Rabbi to anyone among you. For you have only one Teacher, Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not give the title of Father to anyone on earth. For you have only one Father, your Father in heaven. 10 Do not give the title of Master to anyone among you. For you have only one Master, Christ. 11 Moreover, your leader must be your servant. 12 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled. And everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”
DENUNCIATION OF THE PHARISEES
13 “But woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you devour the property of widows, and you make endless prayers under any pretext.
14 “Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you lock the doors of the Kingdom of Heaven. You do not go in yourselves, and you do not allow those to go in who are trying to enter.
15 “Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you traverse land and sea to make a single convert, and when you convert him, you make him twice as much a son of Hades as yourselves.
16 “Woe to you, blind guides! Because you say: ‘If anyone swears by the temple, his oath is not binding. But if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, his oath is binding.’ 17 Blind fools! Which is greater? The gold, or the temple which consecrates the gold?
18 “Again you say: ‘If anyone swears by the altar, his oath is not binding. But if anyone swears by the gift on the altar, his oath is binding.’ 19 Blind fools! Which is greater? The gift, or the altar which consecrates the gift?
20 “Therefore everyone who swears by the altar, swears at the same time by everything upon it. 21 Likewise everyone who swears by the temple, swears at the same time by the temple as well as by God who dwells in the temple. 22 And everyone who swears by heaven, swears at the same time by the throne of God, and by God himself who sits upon that throne.
23 “Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you pay tithes on mint, on dill, and on cummin. But you neglect the weightier commandments of the Law: righteousness, mercy, and faith. You should observe the latter, without overlooking the former. 24 Blind guides, you strain the gnat, but you swallow the camel.
25 “Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you cleanse the outside of the cup and the plate, while the inside is full of extortion and injustice. 26 Blind Pharisees! You must first cleanse the inside of the cup. Then the outside will also be clean.
27 “Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you are like white-washed sepulchres which outwardly look beautiful, but within are full of dead men’s bones and all kinds of impurity. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
29 “Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build tombs for the Prophets. You decorate the monuments of the righteous, 30 and you say: ‘If we had been living in the days of our forefathers, we would not have joined them in the murder of the Prophets.’ 31 Thus you testify against yourselves by admitting that you are the descendants of those who murdered the Prophets.”
RETRIBUTION
32 “Go on, and complete the crimes of your forefathers!
33 “You serpents, you brood of vipers! You cannot escape the damnation of Hades! 34 Listen! I am going to send you more Prophets, sages, and teachers. But you will kill them, crucify them, flog them in your synagogues, and drive them from one city to another.
35 “Thus you will become responsible for all the righteous blood which has been shed on earth, from the blood of Righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Barachiah whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 Well, I tell you, all these crimes will be laid at the door of this generation.”
LAMENTATION
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, murdering your prophets and stoning your apostles! How often I have yearned to gather your children around me, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings! But you refused. 38 Look, now your house is desolate. 39 For I tell you that you will not see me again until you exclaim: ‘Blessed is the Messiah who comes in the Lord’s name.'”
PROPHECY OF THE END
1 Thereupon Jesus went out of the temple. As he was proceeding on his way, the Disciples came to him and called his attention to the buildings of the temple. 2 But he said to them: “Look at these buildings! Well, I tell you, not one stone will be left upon another. For everything will be torn down.”
3 Later on, while he was resting on the Mount of Olives, the Disciples asked him privately: “Tell us when this disaster will happen, and what will be the sign of your manifestation at the end of the world.”
FALSE PROPHETS
4 Jesus answered them: “Look out. Let no one mislead you about my coming. 5 Because many impostors will come in my name, saying: ‘I am the Messiah!’ And they will mislead many people. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. But do not be alarmed by them. True, all these disasters must happen. But that will not be the end of the world.”
WARS AND PERSECUTIONS
7 “Yes, nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various countries. 8 But that will be only the beginning of the ordeal.
9 “Then they will hand you over to torture and they will put you to death. You will be hated by the Gentiles on account of my name. 10 Many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will appear, and many will be misled by them. 12 Wickedness will increase and the charity of most men will grow cold. 13 But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.”
SIGNS OF THE END
14 “Now this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached first all over the world as a testimony to all the Gentiles. Then the end will come. 15 Then you will see the abominable sacrilege standing in the holy temple. Daniel the Prophet has predicted calamity. Every reader will understand what I mean.
16 “Then all those who live in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17 The man who happens to be on the housetop must not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 The man who happens to be in the field must not go back to take his coat.
19 “Woe to the pregnant and nursing women in those days! 20 Pray that you may not have to flee in the winter or on the Sabbath day. 21 For in those days there will be greater affliction than there has ever been from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will be again. 22 Now if those days had not been cut short, no human being would escape. But those days will be cut short for the sake of the elect.”
IMPOSTORS
23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and prophets will appear, and they will perform great miracles and wonders to lead astray, if they can, even the elect.
25 “Now look out! I have foretold you everything. 26 Therefore if they say to you, ‘There he is in the desert!’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Here he is in the private chamber!’ do not believe it.”
THE SECOND COMING
27 “For as the lightning starts in the east and flashes to the west, so the coming of the Son of God will be. 28 It will be preceded by disasters, because wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will flock together.
29 “Immediately after the affliction of those days, the sun will be darkened. The moon will not give any light. The stars will fall from heaven. The powers of heaven will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Messiah will appear in the sky. All the nations of the earth will stand in awe, as they will see the Messiah coming from the clouds of heaven with great power and glory. 31 Then he will send out his angels with a loudsounding trumpet to gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
THE FIG TREE
32 “Now listen to the parable of the fig tree: As soon as its branches grow soft and put forth leaves, you know that the summer is coming. 33 So also, when you see all these events, you must know that he is at your very door.
34 “Well, I tell you, the men of this generation will live to see all these occurrences. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away. But my words will not pass away.”
WATCHFULNESS
36 “Now about that day and that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven. Only my Father knows. 37 For as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Messiah. 38 In those days before the Flood, the people were eating drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage until the very day that Noah went into the Ark. 39 They knew nothing about the Flood until it came and swept them all away. So it will be at the coming of the Messiah also.
40 “Then of two men in the field one will be taken, and the other left. 41 Of two women at the hand-mill one will be taken, and the other left. 42 Therefore watch. For you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
43 “But you may be sure what the householder would have done, if he had known at what time of the night the thief was coming. Of course, he would have watched and would not have allowed the thief to break into his house. 44 Therefore you must be ready also. For the Messiah is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
THE FAITHFUL SERVANT
45 “Here is an opportunity for the faithful and thoughtful servant. His master has placed him over the members of his household to give them their food at the proper time. 46 Well, that servant will be happy when his master on his arrival finds him fulfilling his duty. 47 Well I tell you, that his master will put him in charge of all his property.”
THE WICKED SERVANT
48 “But if he is a bad servant, he will say to himself that his master is going to stay away a long time. 49 He will begin to beat his fellow servants. He will eat and drink with drunkards. 50 Of course, his master will come on a day when the servant does not expect him and at an hour he does not know at all. 51 Then his master will punish him severely, and will put him with the unbelievers in a place where sinners are wailing and gnashing their teeth.”
THE TEN VIRGINS
1 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 The foolish ones brought their lamps, but took no oil with them. 4 But the wise ones took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight a cry was heard: ‘Wake up! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’ 7 Thereupon all the virgins awoke, and trimmed their lamps. 8 Then the foolish ones told the wise ones: ‘Give us some of your oil.’ For our lamps are going out.’
9 “But the wise ones answered: ‘We are afraid that we have not enough oil for us and for you. You better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. The wise ones who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. Thereupon the door was closed.
11 “Later on, the foolish ones came, and said: ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us.’ 12 But he answered: ‘Well, I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Therefore watch. For you do not know the day and the hour at which the Messiah is coming.”
THE TALENTS
14 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man going abroad who called his servants, and entrusted his property to them. 15 He gave five talents to the first one, two talents to the second, and one talent to the third, to each one according to his ability. Then he went away.
16 “The first one who had received five talents went into business immediately with the money, and made a profit of five talents more. 17 Likewise, the second one who had received two talents made a profit of two talents more. 18 But the third one, who had received one talent, went away, dug a hole in the ground, and buried his master’s money.
19 “After a long time, the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. 20 The first one who had received five talents came and brought him five talents more, and said: ‘Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I have made a profit of five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been trustworthy in charge of a small sum. I will put you in charge of a large sum. Come, share the festival of your master.’
22 “The second one who had received two talents came next and said: ‘Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I have made a profit of two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been trustworthy in charge of a small sum. I will put you in charge of a large sum. Come, share the festival of your master.’
24 “Then the third one who had received one talent came, and said: ‘Master, I knew you were a greedy man. You reap where you have not sowed, and gather where you have not winnowed. 25 So, as I was afraid, I went and buried your talent in the ground. Look, here is your money.’
26 “His master answered him: ‘Wicked and idle servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed. 27 Then you ought to have put my money in the bank. Because when I came back, I would have received my money with interest.’
28 “‘Therefore take that talent away from him, and give it to the man who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has much will be given more, and will be plentifully supplied. But everyone who has little will be deprived even of the little he has. 30 Now cast this unworthy servant into the outer darkness where sinners are wailing and gnashing their teeth.'”
THE LAST JUDGMENT
31 “When the Messiah comes in his glory with his holy angels, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 He will gather all the nations before him. He will separate them one from another as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right hand: ‘Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. 36 I was naked, and you clothed me. I was in prison, and you came to see me.’
37 “The righteous will ask him: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger, and welcomed you, or naked, and clothed you? 39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visited you?’
40 “The King will answer them: ‘Well, I tell you, insofar as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren you did it to me.’
41 “Then the King will say to those on his left hand: ‘Go away from me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for Satan and his devils! 42 For I was hungry, but you gave me no food. I was thirsty, but you gave me no drink. 43 I was a stranger, but you did not welcome me. I was naked, but you did not clothe me. I was sick and in prison, but you did not visit me.’
44 “They will also ask him: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison and did not minister to you?’
45 “He will answer them: ‘Well, I tell you, insofar as you did not do it to one of the least of these my brethren you did not do it to me.’ 46 Then the wicked will go into everlasting punishment, and the righteous into everlasting life.”
FOURTH PREDICTION OF THE PASSION
1 When Jesus had finished all these sermons, he said to his Disciples: 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming. Then the Messiah will be betrayed and crucified.”
THE CONSPIRACY
3 Then the chief priests, the Scribes, and the elders of the people gathered in the house of the high priest called Caiaphas, 4 and plotted to arrest Jesus by cunning and put him to death. 5 But they agreed that they should not do it during the festival, in order to avoid an uproar among the people.
THE ANOINTMENT
6 Now, when Jesus was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of a very expensive perfume, and poured it on his head, as he sat at the table. 8 When the Disciples saw it, they were indignant and said: “Why this waste? 9 For we might have sold this perfume for a high price and given the proceeds to the poor.”
10 Jesus heard that remark and said: “Why do you bother the woman? She has rendered me a noble service. 11 You always have the poor with you. But you will not always have me.
12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she prepared me for my funeral. 13 Well, I tell you, wherever this Gospel is preached, all over the world, her act also will be mentioned in her commemoration.”
THE BETRAYAL
14 Then one of the twelve Disciples, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, 15 and asked them: “What will you give me if I hand him over to you?” They promised him thirty silver pieces. 16 From that moment he watched for an opportunity to betray him.
PASSOVER PREPARATIONS
17 On the first day of the Unleavened Bread, the Disciples came to Jesus and asked him: “Where do you want us to make the preparations for your Passover Supper?” 18 He answered: “Go into the city to a certain man, and tell him: The Master says: ‘My time is drawing near. I am going to celebrate the Passover at your house with my Disciples.'” 19 His Disciples did as Jesus had ordered them, and prepared the Passover Supper.
THE BETRAYER
20 In the evening he sat down at the table with the twelve Apostles. 21 As they were eating, he said: “Well, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sorrowful, and began to ask him one after another: “Is it I, Master?”
23 Jesus answered them: “The man who has eaten from the same dish with me will betray me. 24 The Messiah will go away, as it has been prophesied about him in the Scriptures. But woe to the man who will betray him! It would have been better for that man if he had never been born.”
25 Then Judas who betrayed him asked him: “Is it I Master ?” Jesus answered: “Yes, you said it yourself.”
THE HOLY EUCHARIST
26 During the Supper Jesus took the bread, offered thanks, broke it, gave it to his Disciples and said: “Take, eat, this is my Body.”
27 Then he took the cup, offered thanks, gave it to them, and said: “Drink of it, all of you. 28 This is my Blood of the New Testament which is poured out for many, for the remission of sins. 29 I tell you, I will never drink this fruit of the vine again until that day when I will drink the new wine with you in the Kingdom of my Father.”
PREDICTION OF DENIALS
30 Thereupon they sang a hymn, and went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them: “You will all desert me tonight. For it is written in the Scriptures: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after my resurrection I will go before you and meet you in Galilee.”
33 Peter declared to him: “I will never desert you, even if all the others do.” 34 Jesus said to him: “Well, I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter replied: “I will not deny you, even if I have to die with you.” All the Disciples made similar statements.
THE AGONY
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to them: “Sit down here while I go and pray over there.” 37 Thereupon he took Peter and the sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be distressed and dismayed. 38 He told them: “My soul is very sorrowful, even unto death. Stay here, and watch with me.”
39 Then he walked a little further, fell on his face, and prayed: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 When he went back to his Disciples, he found them asleep, and said to Peter: “So you were not able to watch with me for a single hour! 41 Watch and pray. Then you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, he went away for the second time, and prayed: “My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from me unless I drink it, thy will be done.”
43 When he came back, he found them asleep again. For they could not keep their eyes open. 44 So he left them again, went away, prayed for the third time, and repeated the same petitions.
45 When he came back to his Disciples for the last time, he said to them: “Are you still asleep and resting? Listen, the hour is drawing near. The Messiah will be delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go away from here. But look! My betrayer has arrived.”
THE ARREST
47 While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve Disciples, came suddenly. He was accompanied by a large detachment of guards armed with swords and clubs who had been sent by the chief priests and the elders of the people.
48 The traitor had given them a signal, saying: “The man is the one I will kiss. Arrest him.” 49 So he came up to Jesus and said: “Hail, Master!” Thereupon he kissed him affectionately. 50 Jesus said to him: “My friend, what did you come here for?” In the meantime, the guards came forward, laid hands on Jesus, and arrested him.
51 Thereupon one of the Disciples of Jesus reached out his hand, drew his sword, struck the attendant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 But Jesus said to him: “Put your sword back into its place. For all those who draw the sword will perish by the sword. 53 You know that I can appeal to my Father and immediately have more than twelve legions of angels to defend me. 54 But these events must take place. Thus the prophecies of the Scriptures will be fulfilled.”
55 Then Jesus said to the crowd: “You have come out to arrest me with swords and clubs, as if I were a bandit. Day after day I preached to you in the temple, and you did not arrest me. 56 But all these events have taken place in fulfillment of the prophecies of the Scriptures.” Thereupon all the Disciples abandoned him and ran away.
BEFORE CAIAPHAS
57 In the meantime, the guards who had arrested Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the Scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 Peter followed them at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, went inside, and sat with the servants to see the end.
59 Now the chief priests and the members of the council were trying to get false testimony against Jesus, and put him to death. 60 But they found none, although many false witnesses had volunteered. 61 Finally two false witnesses came forward and testified: “This man said: ‘I can tear down the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'”
62 The high priest then stood up and asked him: “What is your answer to the accusations these men bring against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. Thereupon the high priest told him: “In the name of the living God, tell us whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 Jesus answered him: “Yes. You said it yourself. Moreover, I tell you, before long you will see the Messiah seated at the right hand of Almighty God and coming down from the clouds of heaven.”
65 The high priest tore his garments, and said: “He has blasphemed. We have no further need of witnesses. You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?” They all answered: “He is guilty of a capital crime.” 67 Then they spat on his face and buffeted him. Some of them slapped him, 68 and asked him: “Prophesy to us, O Messiah! Who struck you?”
THE DENIAL
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A maid came to him, and said: “You were with Jesus of Galilee also.” 70 But he denied it before them all and said: “I do not know what you mean.”
71 When he went out to the vestibule, another maid saw him, and said to the bystanders: “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 He denied it again with an oath: “I do not know that man at all.”
73 A little while afterward, the bystanders came to Peter, and said: “You are certainly one of them also. For your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear: “I do not know that man at all.” At that moment the cock crowed.
75 Thereupon Peter remembered what Jesus had foretold him: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Then he went out, and wept bitterly.
SUICIDE OF JUDAS
1 In the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people consulted together against Jesus, in order to put him to death. 2 So they bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the procurator.
3 When Judas saw that Jesus was sentenced to death, he repented, and brought back the thirty silver pieces to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying: “I have sinned by betraying an innocent man.” They answered: “That does not concern us. That is your affair.” 5 Thereupon Judas flung down the silver pieces, left the temple, went away, and hanged himself.
6 The chief priests took the silver pieces and said: “It is not lawful to put this money into the treasury, because it is blood money.” 7 So after a consultation, they bought with it the Potter’s Field as a cemetery for strangers. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
9 Thus the prophecy of Jeremiah was fulfilled: “They took the thirty silver pieces, the reward for the man on whom a price was set by the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord had ordered them.”
BEFORE PILATE
11 Then Jesus stood before the procurator. He asked him: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered him: “Yes. You said it yourself.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he made no answer. 13 Pilate asked him again: “Have you heard how many accusations they made against you?” 14 But he gave no answer even to a single accusation. The procurator was greatly surprised.
JESUS AND BARABBAS
15 Now during the festival the procurator was accustomed to release for the people any prisoner they chose. 16 At this time, there was a notorious prisoner named Barabbas.
17 So when the people were assembled for this purpose, Pilate asked them: “Whom do you want me to release for you, Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he knew that they had delivered him out of envy.
19 Moreover, while he was sitting on the tribunal, his wife sent him the following message: “Do not harm that righteous man. For I have suffered much in a dream today on his account.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the people to demand the release of Barabbas and the execution of Jesus.
21 The procurator asked them again: “Which one of the two do you want me to release for you?” They all answered: “Barabbas!”
22 Pilate asked them again: “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” They all answered: “Let him be crucified.”
23 The procurator asked them again: “What crime has he committed?” But they shouted all the louder: “Let him be crucified!”
24 Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing. For the uproar only became worse. So he took water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said: “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man. The responsibility is all yours.”
25 All the people answered: “Let his blood be on us and on our children.” 26 So Pilate released Barabbas for them. On the other hand, he gave orders to have Jesus flogged and crucified.
THE CROWN OF THORNS
27 Then the soldiers took Jesus into the praetorium and gathered the entire detachment before him. 28 They stripped him, and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They plaited a crown of thorns, placed it on his head, put a reed in his right hand, knelt before him, and derided him, saying: “Hail, King of the Jews!”
30 Moreover, they spat on him, took the reed, and struck him on his head. 31 After deriding him, they took off his scarlet robe, put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.
SIMON THE CYRENIAN
32 As they went out of the city, they came upon a Cyrenian called Simon. They compelled him to carry his Cross.
THE CRUCIFIXION
33 When they arrived at a place called Golgotha, which means the Place of the Skull, 34 they offered him wine mixed with gall. But when he tasted it, he refused to drink it.
35 Then the soldiers crucified him and divided his garment among them by casting lots. Thus the prophecy was fulfilled: “They divided my garments and cast lots for my vesture.” 36 Then they sat down and kept guard over him. 37 The accusation against him was placed over his head on an inscription, which read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
DERISIONS
38 Two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left. 39 The passers-by jeered at him, shook their heads, 40 and said: “You can tear down the temple and rebuild it in three days. If so, save yourself now. If you are the Son of God, come down from the Cross. Then we will believe in you.”
41 Likewise, the chief priests, the scribes, the elders, and Pharisees derided him also, and said: 42 “You saved others. But you cannot save yourself. If you are the King of Israel, come down from the Cross. Then we will believe in you. 43 You trusted in God. Let God save you now, if he loves you. For you said: ‘I am the Son of God.'”
44 Even the bandits who were crucified with him reviled him in similar terms.
DESPAIR AND DEATH
45 Now from the sixth hour darkness overspread all the country until the ninth hour. 46 At about the ninth hour, Jesus cried aloud: “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani!” That is to say: “My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?”
47 Some of the bystanders who heard him said: “Listen! He is calling Elijah!” 48 One of them ran at once, took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said: “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.”
50 Then Jesus cried aloud again, and expired. 51 Thereupon the curtain of the temple was rent in two from top to bottom. The earth shook. The rocks were split. 52 The tombs were opened. Many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep arose, 53 came out of the tombs after his resurrection went into the Holy City, and appeared to many.
THE CENTURION
54 When the Centurion and the soldiers who kept guard over him saw the earthquake and the other omens, they were filled with awe, and said: “Indeed he was the Son of God!”
THE WOMEN
55 Many women also were there looking on from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to him. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
THE BURIAL
57 In the evening a rich man from Arimathea called Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus, came forward boldly. 58 He went to Pilate and asked him for the body of Jesus. Pilate granted his request.
59 Joseph took down the body from the Cross, wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, 60 and buried it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. Thereupon he rolled a great stone over the door of the tomb, and went away.
61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
THE GUARDS
62 On the next day, after the Day of Preparation, the priests and the Pharisees went in a body to Pilate, 63 and said to him: “Sir! We remember that when this imposter was still alive, he declared: ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 Therefore give orders to have the tomb closely guarded until the third day. Otherwise, his Disciples may come, steal him away, and then tell the people: ‘He has risen from the dead.’ Then this last fraud will be worse than the first one.”
65 Pilate answered them: “You have a guard of soldiers. Go and make the tomb as safe as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and by setting a guard.
THE RESURRECTION
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
2 Thereupon a violent earthquake shook the earth. For an Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, came to the tomb, rolled the stone back from the entrance, and sat upon it. 3 His face was shining like lightning, and his garments were as white as snow. 4 The guards trembled for fear and became like dead men.
5 Then the Angel said to the women: “Do not be afraid. For I know that you are looking for Jesus the Crucified. 6 He is not here. For he has risen, as he foretold you. Come and look at the place where the Lord lay. 7 Now go quickly and tell his Disciples that he has risen from the dead, and is going to Galilee before you. You will see him there. Now I have told you my message.”
JESUS AND THE WOMEN
8 The women hurried away from the tomb frightened yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to the Disciples. 9 On the way, Jesus met them and said to them: “Hail!” The women went up to him, clasped his feet, and worshipped him. 10 Jesus said to them: “Go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee. They will see me there.”
THE BRIBE
11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests the miracle of the Resurrection. 12 The chief priests held a meeting with the elders, and after a consultation they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 saying: “Tell the people: ‘His Disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report reaches the procurator, we will persuade him and keep you out of trouble.”
15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were ordered. This story has been current among the Jews until this day.
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
16 Now the eleven Apostles went to the mountain in Galilee where Jesus had ordered them to meet him. 17 When they saw him they worshipped him. But some of them hesitated.
18 Then Jesus came and said to them: “Full authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore, convert all nations, baptize them in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to observe the commandments I have given you. And remember, I will be with you always, to the very end of the world. Amen.