20:1 And it came to pass, on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came up to him with the elders,
20:2 And said to him, Tell us by what authority you do these things? or who it is who gave you this authority?
20:3 And he answered and said to them, I will also ask you one thing; and you answer me:
20:4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?
20:5 And they discussed among themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not believe him?
20:6 But if we say, From men, all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.
20:7 And they answered that they did not know from where it came.
20:8 And Jesus said to them, Neither will tell I you by what authority I do these things.
20:9 Then he began to tell the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and rented it out to tenants, and went into a far country for a long time.
20:10 And at harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants, that they should give him some of the fruit of the vineyard: but the tenants beat him, and sent him away empty-handed.
20:11 He sent another servant: and they beat him also, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.
20:12 And he sent a third: and they wounded him, and cast him out.
20:13 Then the lord of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will respect him when they see him.
20:14 But when the tenants saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
20:15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What then shall the lord of the vineyard do to them?
20:16 He shall come and destroy these tenants, and shall give the vineyard to others. When they heard this, they said, God forbid.
20:17 And he looked at them, and said, What then is this that is written, The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone?
20:18 Whoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
20:19 And the chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that same hour, for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them; but they feared the people.
20:20 So they watched him, and sent forth spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in his words, that they might deliver him to the power and authority of the governor.
20:21 And they asked him, Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly, and that you are not partial to any person, but teach the way of God truly:
20:22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?
20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them,
20:24 Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it? They answered, Caesar's.
20:25 And he said to them, Then render to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's.
20:26 And they could not trap him in what he said before the people: they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
20:27 Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is any resurrection, came to him, and they asked him,
20:28 Teacher, Moses wrote to us, If any man's brother dies, leaving a wife and no children, that man should take the widow, and raise up children for his brother.
20:29 Now there were seven brothers: the first took a wife, and died without children.
20:30 And the second,
20:31 And the third took her; as did all seven: and they left no children, and died.
20:32 Last of all the woman died.
20:33 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? for all seven had her as wife.
20:34 Jesus answered and said to them, The people of this age marry, and are given in marriage:
20:35 But those who shall be accounted worthy to obtain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
20:36 Nor can they die any more: for they are like the angels; and are the children of God, since they are children of the resurrection.
20:37 That the dead are raised, even Moses showed in the account of the bush, when he called the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
20:38 For he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all are alive to him.
20:39 Then certain of the scribes answered, Teacher, you have spoken well.
20:40 And after that they dared not ask him any more questions.
20:41 And he said to them, How is it that they say the Christ is David's son?
20:42 David himself says in the book of Psalms, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,
20:43 Until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.
20:44 Therefore David calls him Lord; so how is he then his son?
20:45 Then in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples,
20:46 Beware of the scribes, who like to walk about in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, and the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honour at feasts;
20:47 They devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers: they shall receive the greater condemnation.
21:1 And he looked up, and saw the rich people putting their gifts into the treasury.
21:2 And he also saw a certain poor widow putting in two small copper coins.
21:3 And he said, Truly I say to you, that this poor widow has put in more than all of them:
21:4 For all these have given offerings to God out of their abundance: but she in her poverty has put in all she had to live on.
21:5 And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts, he said,
21:6 As for these things which you behold, the days will come, in which there shall not be one stone left upon another; every one of them shall be thrown down.
21:7 And they asked him, saying, Teacher, when shall these things happen? and what sign will there be that these things are about to take place?
21:8 And he said, Take heed that you are not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and, the time draws near: do not go after them.
21:9 And when you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end does not follow immediately.
21:10 Then said he to them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
21:11 And there shall be great earthquakes in various places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
21:12 But before all this, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, and you shall be brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
21:13 And it shall be a time for you to bear testimony.
21:14 Therefore, settle it in your hearts, not to meditate beforehand how you shall answer:
21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist or refute.
21:16 And you shall be betrayed both by parents, and brothers, and relatives, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
21:17 And you shall be hated by all for my name's sake.
21:18 But not a hair of your head shall perish.
21:19 By your perseverance you shall win your souls.
21:20 And when you shall see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
21:21 Then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let those who are inside the city depart; and let not those who are in the country enter into it.
21:22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
21:23 But woe to those who are with child, and to those who nurse infants, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth nations shall be distressed and perplexed by the roaring waves of the sea;
21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear and foreboding of those things which are coming upon the earth: for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
21:27 And then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near.
21:29 And he told them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
21:30 When they shoot forth leaves, you see and know for yourselves that summer is at hand.
21:31 So likewise, when you see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.
21:32 Truly I say to you, This generation shall not pass away, until all is fulfilled.
21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be weighed down with dissipation, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, so that day comes upon you unexpectedly like a snare.
21:35 For as a snare shall it come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth.
21:36 Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be strong and accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
21:37 Now in the daytime he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and stayed on the mount that is called Olivet.
21:38 And all the people came to the temple early in the morning to hear him.
22:1 Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, drew near.
22:2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, one the twelve.
22:4 And he went his way, and discussed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him to them.
22:5 They were glad, and agreed to give him money.
22:6 So he consented, and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the multitude.
22:7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover lamb must be killed.
22:8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare the passover for us, that we may eat it.
22:9 And they said to him, Where will you have us prepare it?
22:10 And he said to them, Behold, when you enter the city, a man shall meet you there, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters.
22:11 And you shall say to the owner of the house, The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
22:12 And he shall show you a large upper room, furnished: make ready there.
22:13 And they went, and found it as he had said to them: and they made ready the passover.
22:14 And when the hour had come, he sat down, and the apostles with him.
22:15 And he said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
22:16 For I say to you, I will not eat it again, until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
22:18 For I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me.
22:20 Likewise he took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
22:21 But, behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.
22:22 Truly the Son of man goes, as it was determined: but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!
22:23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
22:24 And there was also a dispute among them as to which of them should be accounted the greatest.
22:25 And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors.
22:26 But not so with you: but he who is greatest among you, let him be as the youngest; and he who rules, as he who serves.
22:27 For which is greater, he who reclines at table, or he who serves? is it not he who reclines at table? but I am among you as one who serves.
22:28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials.
22:29 And I grant to you a kingdom, as my Father has granted to me;
22:30 That you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:
22:32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail: and when you have turned back, strengthen your brethren.
22:33 And he said to him, Lord, I am ready to go with you, both into prison, and to death.
22:34 And he said, I tell you, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before you have thrice denied that you know me.
22:35 And he said to them, When I sent you out without purse, or bag, or sandals, did you lack anything? And they said, Nothing.
22:36 Then he said to them, But now, he who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag: and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
22:37 For I say to you, that this scripture must yet be fulfilled in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for that which refers to me has its fulfillment.
22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said to them, It is enough.
22:39 And he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples followed him.
22:40 When he arrived at the place, he said to them, Pray that you may not enter into temptation.
22:41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down, and prayed,
22:42 Saying, Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.
22:43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.
22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
22:45 And when he rose up from prayer, and came to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
22:46 And said to them, Why do you sleep? rise and pray, that you may not enter into temptation.
22:47 And while he yet spoke, behold a multitude came, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him.
22:48 But Jesus said to him, Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss?
22:49 When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, Lord, shall we strike with the sword?
22:50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
22:51 And Jesus answered, No more of this. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
22:52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, and officers of the temple, and the elders, who had come to him, Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
22:53 When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not stretch forth hands against me: but this is your hour, when darkness reigns.
22:54 Then they seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed from afar.
22:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and sat down together, Peter sat among them.
22:56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
22:57 And he denied it, saying, Woman, I do not know him.
22:58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, You are also one of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
22:59 And after about an hour another insisted, Truly this man was also with him: for he is a Galilaean.
22:60 And Peter said, Man, I do not know what you are saying. And immediately, while he yet spoke, the cock crowed.
22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, Before the cock crows today, you shall deny me thrice.
22:62 And he went out, and wept bitterly.
22:63 And the men who held Jesus mocked him, and struck him.
22:64 And they blindfolded him, and struck him on the face, and asked him, Prophesy, who was it who struck you?
22:65 And they spoke many other insulting things against him.
22:66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
22:67 Are you the Christ? tell us. And he said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe:
22:68 And if I question you, you will not answer me.
22:69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
22:70 Then they all said, Are you then the Son of God? And he said to them, You say that I am.
22:71 And they said, What need have we of further testimony? for we ourselves have heard from his own mouth.
23:1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him to Pilate.
23:2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting our nation, and forbidding us to give taxes to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
23:3 And Pilate asked him, Are you the King of the Jews? And he answered him, You have said so.
23:4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
23:5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judaea, beginning in Galilee and coming all the way to this place.
23:6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilaean.
23:7 And as soon as he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was himself also in Jerusalem at that time.
23:8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad: for he had long wanted to see him, because he had heard many things about him; and he hoped to see a miracle done by him.
23:9 Then he questioned him at length; but he made no answer.
23:10 The chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
23:11 And Herod with his men of war treated him with contempt, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
23:12 And that same day Pilate and Herod became friends: for before there had been enmity between them.
23:13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
23:14 Said to them, You have brought this man to me, as one who perverts the people: but, behold, having examined him before you, I found no fault in this man regarding those things of which you accuse him:
23:15 No, nor did Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death has been done by him.
23:16 Therefore I will chastise him, and release him.
23:17 [For he was obliged to release one man to them at the feast.]
23:18 But they all cried out at once, saying, Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas:
23:19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
23:20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, spoke to them again.
23:21 But they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
23:22 And he said to them a third time, Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no crime deserving death: therefore I will chastise him, and let him go.
23:23 And they were insistent, with loud voices demanding that he be crucified. And their voices prevailed.
23:24 So Pilate pronounced the sentence they demanded.
23:25 And he released to them the one they asked for, he who had been cast into prison for sedition and murder; but he delivered Jesus over to their will.
23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming in from the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might carry it after Jesus.
23:27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him.
23:28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
23:29 For, behold, the days are coming when they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts which never nursed.
23:30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall upon us; and to the hills, Cover us.
23:31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what shall happen when it is dry?
23:32 And there were also two others, criminals, who were led away with him to be put to death.
23:33 And when they had come to the place, which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
23:34 Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they do. And they divided his clothing by casting lots.
23:35 The people stood watching. And the rulers derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ, the chosen of God.
23:36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him wine vinegar,
23:37 And saying, If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.
23:38 Now there was also an inscription written over him [in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew], THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
23:39 And one of the criminals who was hung there railed at him, saying, If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.
23:40 But the other rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, since you are under the same condemnation?
23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man has done nothing wrong.
23:42 And he said to Jesus, [Lord], remember me when you come into your kingdom.
23:43 And Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, Today you shall be with me in paradise.
23:44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour,
23:45 For the sun was darkened. And the veil of the temple was torn in two.
23:46 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and said, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit: and having said this, he breathed his last.
23:47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
23:48 And all the people who came together to see the sight, when they saw the things that had taken place, struck their breasts, and returned.
23:49 And all his acquaintances, and the women who followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
23:50 Now, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a member of the council; a good man, and just:
23:51 (Who had not consented to their decision and deed;) a man from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God.
23:52 This man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.
23:53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb cut into the stone, where no man had ever before been laid.
23:54 It was the day of preparation, and the sabbath drew near.
23:55 Now the women who came with him from Galilee, followed behind, and beheld the tomb, and how his body was laid.
23:56 Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested on the sabbath day according to the commandment.
24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.
24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
24:3 They entered, but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
24:4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
24:5 They were afraid, and bowed their faces to the earth, and the men said to them, Why do you seek the living among the dead?
24:6 He is not here, but has risen: remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee,
24:7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
24:8 And they remembered his words,
24:9 And returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.
24:10 They were Mary of Magdala, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.
24:11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they did not believe them.
24:12 Then Peter arose, and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering to himself at that which had come to pass.
24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.
24:14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
24:15 And it came to pass, that, while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus himself drew near, and went along with them.
24:16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
24:17 And he said to them, What is it that you are discussing with each other as you walk? And they stood still, looking downcast.
24:18 And one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who does not know the things which have come to pass there in these days?
24:19 And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
24:20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
24:21 But we trusted that it was he who would redeem Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things happened.
24:22 Yea, and certain women of our company astonished us, for they were at the tomb early;
24:23 And they did not find his body. They came back, saying that they had seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
24:24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said: but him they did not see.
24:25 Then he said to them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
24:26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them all the things concerning himself in the scriptures.
24:28 And they drew near to the village, where they were going: and he acted as though he would have gone farther.
24:29 But they urged him strongly, saying, Stay with us: for it is getting toward evening, and the day is nearly over. And he went in to stay with them.
24:30 And it came to pass, as he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to them.
24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight.
24:32 And they said to one another, Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us along the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
24:33 They rose up that same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, along with those who were with them,
24:34 Saying, The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.
24:35 And they told what had happened on the road, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of bread.
24:36 And as they spoke of this, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, Peace be with you.
24:37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed that they were seeing a spirit.
24:38 And he said to them, Why are you troubled? and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: touch me, and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.
24:40 And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet.
24:41 And while they still did not believe because of joy, and marvelled, he said to them, Have you anything here to eat?
24:42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish.
24:43 And he took it, and ate it before them.
24:44 He said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which are written about me in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms.
24:45 Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the scriptures,
24:46 And said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise from the dead on the third day:
24:47 And that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
24:48 You are witnesses of these things.
24:49 And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.
24:50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
24:52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
24:53 And were continually in the temple, praising God. [Amen.]