New King James Version (NKJV)

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that menalways ought to pray and not lose heart,

2 saying:“There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God norregard man.

3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying,‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’

4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,

5 yet because this widow troubles me I willavenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”

6 Then the Lord said,“Hear what the unjust judge said.

7 Andshall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?

8 I tell youthat He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 Also He spoke this parable to somewho trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11 The Phariseestood and prayed thus with himself,‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’

13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raisehiseyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justifiedratherthan the other;for everyone who exalts himself will behumbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus Blesses Little Children

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples sawit,they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called them toHimand said,“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; forof such is the kingdom of God.

17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler

18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 So Jesus said to him,“Why do you call Me good? No oneisgood butOne,that is,God.

20 You know the commandments:‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’‘Honor your father and your mother.’”

21 And he said, “Allthese things I have kept from my youth.”

22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him,“You still lack one thing.Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

With God All Things Are Possible

24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said,“How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!

25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”

27 But He said,“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

29 So He said to them,“Assuredly, I say to you,there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,

30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection

31 Then He took the twelve aside and said to them,“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all thingsthat are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will beaccomplished.

32 ForHe will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.

33 They will scourgeHimand kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

34 But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.

A Blind Man Receives His Sight

35 Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging.

36 And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant.

37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

38 And he cried out, saying, “Jesus,Son of David, have mercy on me!”

39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

40 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him,

41 saying,“What do you want Me to do for you?”

He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”

42 Then Jesus said to him,“Receive your sight;your faith has made you well.”

43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him,glorifying God. And all the people, when they sawit,gave praise to God.

Jesus Comes to Zacchaeus’ House

1 ThenJesusentered and passed throughJericho.

2 Now behold,therewasa man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.

3 And he sought tosee who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.

4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass thatway.

5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him,“Zacchaeus,make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”

6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.

7 But when they sawit,they all complained, saying,“He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”

8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to thepoor; and if I have taken anything from anyone byfalse accusation,I restore fourfold.”

9 And Jesus said to him,“Today salvation has come to this house, becausehe also isa son of Abraham;

10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

The Parable of the Minas

11 Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and becausethey thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.

12 Therefore He said:“A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.

13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them tenminas,and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’

14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have thismanto reign over us.’

15 “And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

16 Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’

17 And he said to him,‘Welldone,good servant; because you werefaithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’

18 And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’

19 Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’

20 “Then another came, saying,‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief.

21 For I feared you, because you arean austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’

22 And he said to him,‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you,youwicked servant.You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.

23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’

24 “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and giveitto him who has ten minas.’

25 (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’)

26 ‘For I say to you,that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

27 But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slaythembefore me.’ ”

The Triumphal Entry

28 When He had said this,He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

29 And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage andBethany, at the mountain calledOlivet,thatHe sent two of His disciples,

30 saying,“Go into the village oppositeyou,where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bringit here.

31 And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosingit?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’ ”

32 So those who were sent went their way and founditjustas He had said to them.

33 But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?”

34 And they said, “The Lord has need of him.”

35 Then they brought him to Jesus.And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him.

36 And as He went,manyspread their clothes on the road.

37 Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began torejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen,

38 saying:

# “ ‘Blessedisthe King who comes in the name of theLord!’

# Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”

40 But He answered and said to them,“I tell you that if these should keep silent,the stones would immediately cry out.”

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem

41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city andwept over it,

42 saying,“If you had known, even you, especially in thisyour day, the thingsthatmakefor yourpeace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

43 For days will come upon you when your enemies willbuild an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side,

44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; andthey will not leave in you one stone upon another,because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

45 Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it,

46 saying to them,“It is written,‘My houseisa house of prayer,’but you have made it a‘den of thieves.’”

47 And Hewas teaching daily in the temple. Butthe chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him,

48 and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive tohear Him.

Jesus’ Authority Questioned

1 Nowit happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel,thatthe chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confrontedHim

2 and spoke to Him, saying, “Tell us,by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?”

3 But He answered and said to them,“I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me:

4 Thebaptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?”

5 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us,for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”

7 So they answered that they did not know whereitwasfrom.

8 And Jesus said to them,“Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers

9 Then He began to tell the people this parable:“A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it tovinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time.

10 Now atvintage-time hesent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vinedressers beat him and senthimaway empty-handed.

11 Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treatedhimshamefully, and senthimaway empty-handed.

12 And again he sent a third; and they wounded him also and casthimout.

13 “Then the owner of the vineyard said,‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Probably they will respecthimwhen they see him.’

14 But when the vinedressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is theheir. Come,let us kill him, that the inheritance may beours.’

15 So they cast him out of the vineyard andkilledhim.Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them?

16 He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard toothers.”

And when they hearditthey said, “Certainly not!”

17 Then He looked at them and said,“What then is this that is written:

# ‘The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone’?

18 Whoever falls on that stone will bebroken; buton whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

19 And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people —for they knew He had spoken this parable against them.

The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?

20 So they watchedHim,and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.

21 Then they asked Him, saying,“Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth:

22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them,“Why do you test Me?

24 Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?”

They answered and said, “Caesar’s.”

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

26 But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent.

The Sadducees: What About the Resurrection?

27 Then some of the Sadducees,who deny that there is a resurrection, came toHimand asked Him,

28 saying: “Teacher, Moses wrote to usthatif a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.

29 Now there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and died without children.

30 And the second took her as wife, and he died childless.

31 Then the third took her, and in like manner the seven also; and they left no children, and died.

32 Last of all the woman died also.

33 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had her as wife.”

34 Jesus answered and said to them,“The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage.

35 But those who arecounted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;

36 nor can they die anymore, forthey are equal to the angels and are sons of God,being sons of the resurrection.

37 But even Moses showed in theburningbushpassagethat the dead are raised, when he called the Lord‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’

38 For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, forall live to Him.”

39 Then some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.”

40 But after that they dared not question Him anymore.

Jesus: How Can David Call His Descendant Lord?

41 And He said to them,“How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David?

42 Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms:

# ‘TheLordsaid to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand,

43 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’

44 Therefore David calls Him‘Lord’;how is He then his Son?”

Beware of the Scribes

45 Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples,

46 “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes,love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,

47 who devour widows’ houses, and for apretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

The Widow’s Two Mites

1 And He looked upand saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,

2 and He saw also a certainpoor widow putting in twomites.

3 So He said,“Truly I say to youthat this poor widow has put in more than all;

4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offeringsfor God,but she out of her poverty put inall the livelihood that she had.”

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple

5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said,

6 “These things which you see—the days will come in whichnotonestone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what signwilltherebewhen these things are about to take place?”

8 And He said:“Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I amHe,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’Thereforedo notgo after them.

9 But when you hear ofwars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the endwillnotcomeimmediately.”

10 Then He said to them,“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

11 And there will be greatearthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecuteyou,deliveringyouup to the synagogues andprisons.You will be brought before kings and rulersfor My name’s sake.

13 Butit will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.

14 Therefore settleitin your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you willanswer;

15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdomwhich all your adversaries will not be able to contradict orresist.

16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will putsomeof you to death.

17 Andyou will be hated by all for My name’s sake.

18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost.

19 By your patience possess your souls.

The Destruction of Jerusalem

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.

22 For these are the days of vengeance, thatall things which are written may be fulfilled.

23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.

24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentilesuntil the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;

26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth,for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

27 Then they will see the Son of Mancoming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, becauseyour redemption draws near.”

The Parable of the Fig Tree

29 Then He spoke to them a parable:“Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.

30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.

31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.

32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.

33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but Mywords will by no means pass away.

The Importance of Watching

34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

35 Forit will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthyto escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.”

37 And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, butat night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet.

38 Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

1 Nowthe Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.

2 Andthe chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.

3 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among thetwelve.

4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.

5 And they were glad, andagreed to give him money.

6 So he promised and sought opportunity tobetray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.

Jesus and His Disciples Prepare the Passover

7 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed.

8 And He sent Peter and John, saying,“Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”

9 So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?”

10 And He said to them,“Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters.

11 Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’

12 Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.”

13 So they went andfound it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper

14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.

15 Then He said to them,“Withferventdesire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;

16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of ituntil it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said,“Take this and divideitamong yourselves;

18 forI say to you,I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 And He took bread, gave thanks and brokeit,and gaveitto them, saying,“This is Mybody which is given for you;do this in remembrance of Me.”

20 Likewise He alsotookthe cup after supper, saying,“This cupisthe new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

21 But behold, the hand of My betrayeriswith Me on the table.

22 And truly the Son of Man goesas it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”

23 Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

The Disciples Argue About Greatness

24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.

25 And He said to them,“The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’

26 But not soamongyou; on the contrary,he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.

27 For whoisgreater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves?Isit not he who sits at the table? YetI am among you as the One who serves.

28 “But you are those who have continued with Me inMy trials.

29 AndI bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowedoneupon Me,

30 thatyou may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom,and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 And the Lord said,“Simon, Simon! Indeed,Satan has asked for you, that he maysiftyouas wheat.

32 ButI have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned toMe,strengthen your brethren.”

33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”

34 Then He said,“I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

Supplies for the Road

35 And He said to them,“When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?”

So they said, “Nothing.”

36 Then He said to them,“But now, he who has a money bag, let him takeit,and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.

37 For I say to you that this which is written must still beaccomplished in Me:‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’For the things concerning Me have an end.”

38 So they said, “Lord, look, herearetwo swords.”

And He said to them,“It is enough.”

The Prayer in the Garden

39 Coming out,He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.

40 When He came to the place, He said to them,“Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed,

42 saying,“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; neverthelessnot My will, but Yours, be done.”

43 Thenan angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.

46 Then He said to them,“Whydo you sleep? Rise andpray, lest you enter into temptation.”

Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane

47 And while He was still speaking,behold, a multitude; and he who was calledJudas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.

48 But Jesus said to him,“Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with akiss?”

49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”

50 Andone of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered and said,“Permit even this.”And He touched his ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him,“Have you come out, as against arobber, with swords and clubs?

53 When I was with you daily in thetemple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is yourhour, and the power of darkness.”

Peter Denies Jesus, and Weeps Bitterly

54 Having arrested Him, they ledHimand brought Him into the high priest’s house.But Peter followed at a distance.

55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.

56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.”

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

58 And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.”

But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”

59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely thisfellowalso was with Him, for he is aGalilean.”

60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!”

Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. ThenPeter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him,“Before the roostercrows,you will deny Me three times.”

62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Jesus Mocked and Beaten

63 Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him andbeat Him.

64 And having blindfolded Him, theystruck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?”

65 And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin

66 As soon as it was day,the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying,

67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.”

# But He said to them,“If I tell you, you willby no means believe.

68 And if Ialso askyou,you will by no means answerMe or letMego.

69 Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.”

70 Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?”

# So He said to them,“Yourightlysay that I am.”

71 And they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”

Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate

1 Thenthe whole multitude of them arose and led Him toPilate.

2 And they began toaccuse Him, saying, “We found thisfellowperverting the nation, andforbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, sayingthat He Himself is Christ, a King.”

3 Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

He answered him and said,“It is asyou say.”

4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd,“I find no fault in this Man.”

5 But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning fromGalilee to this place.”

Jesus Faces Herod

6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean.

7 And as soon as he knew that He belonged toHerod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

8 Now when Herod saw Jesus,he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a longtimeto see Him, becausehe had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him.

9 Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered himnothing.

10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him.

11 Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mockedHim,arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

12 That very dayPilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

Taking the Place of Barabbas

13 Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,

14 said to them,“You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed,having examinedHimin your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him;

15 no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him.

16 I will therefore chastise Him and releaseHim”

17 (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).

18 Andthey all cried out at once, saying, “Away with thisMan,and release to us Barabbas”—

19 who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.

20 Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them.

21 But they shouted, saying, “CrucifyHim,crucify Him!”

22 Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and letHimgo.”

23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.

24 SoPilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested.

25 And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

The King on a Cross

26 Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bearitafter Jesus.

27 And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.

28 But Jesus, turning to them, said,“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessedarethe barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’

30 Then they will begin‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’

31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”

32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.

33 Andwhen they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.

34 Then Jesus said,“Father,forgive them, forthey do not know what they do.”

# Andthey divided His garments and cast lots.

35 Andthe people stood looking on. But even therulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”

36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Himsour wine,

37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”

38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has donenothing wrong.”

42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

43 And Jesus said to him,“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me inParadise.”

Jesus Dies on the Cross

44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

45 Then the sun was darkened, andthe veil of the temple was torn in two.

46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said,“Father,‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’”Having said this, He breathed His last.

47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”

48 And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.

49 But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb

50 Now behold,therewasa man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.

51 He had not consented to their decision and deed.Hewasfrom Arimathea, a city of the Jews,who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.

52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tombthatwashewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.

54 That day wasthe Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.

55 And the womenwho had come with Him from Galilee followed after, andthey observed the tomb and how His body was laid.

56 Then they returned andprepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbathaccording to the commandment.

He Is Risen

1 Nowon the firstdayof the week, very early in the morning, they, and certainotherwomenwith them, came to the tombbringing the spices which they had prepared.

2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, thatbehold, two men stood by them in shining garments.

5 Then, as they were afraid and bowedtheirfaces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen!Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,

7 saying,‘The Son of Man must bedelivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”

8 Andthey remembered His words.

9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

10 It was Mary Magdalene,Joanna, Marythemotherof James, and the otherwomenwith them, who told these things to the apostles.

11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.

12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

The Road to Emmaus

13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.

14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, thatJesus Himself drew near and went with them.

16 Buttheir eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

17 And He said to them,“What kind of conversationisthis that you have with one another as youwalk and are sad?”

18 Then the onewhose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”

19 And He said to them,“What things?”

# So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth,who was a Prophetmighty in deed and word before God and all the people,

20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.

21 But we were hopingthat it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.

22 Yes, andcertain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us.

23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.

24 Andcertain of thosewhowerewith us went to the tomb and founditjust as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”

25 Then He said to them,“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into Hisglory?”

27 And beginning atMoses andall the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

The Disciples’ Eyes Opened

28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, andHe indicated that He would have gone farther.

29 Butthey constrained Him, saying,“Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.

30 Now it came to pass, asHe sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and brokeit,and gave it to them.

31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and thosewhowerewith them gathered together,

34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, andhas appeared to Simon!”

35 And they told about the thingsthathadhappenedon the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them,“Peace to you.”

37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seena spirit.

38 And He said to them,“Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?

39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself.Handle Me and see, for aspirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.

41 But while they still did not believefor joy, and marveled, He said to them,“Have you any food here?”

42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.

43 And He tookitand ate in their presence.

The Scriptures Opened

44 Then He said to them,“Thesearethe words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses andtheProphets andthePsalms concerning Me.”

45 AndHe opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

46 Then He said to them,“Thus it is written,and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to risefrom the dead the third day,

47 and that repentance andremission of sins should be preached in His nameto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48 Andyou are witnesses of these things.

49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the cityof Jerusalemuntil you are endued with power from on high.”

The Ascension

50 And He led them outas far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.

51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.

52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

53 and were continuallyin the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.