A contemporary historian named Professor Mark reveals Jesus as the world’s greatest Conqueror!
Introduction:
Each of the contemporary histories have their own ‘themes’. Professor Mark, still, is most unusual. He is the only historian that only has Jesus going to Jerusalem once. He does not cover any of the many events and confrontations well, but rather has Jesus on a rapid march which is dedicated to why He came among us: His ultimate victory that has to be won for all mankind. He is the only possible ‘Conqueror’ for this war for the souls of men. No other conqueror has ever attempted such a war. It is shorter than the other ‘themed’ histories and when released for distribution in the late A.D. 50s, it was found in Rome markets as a short story. This ‘Conqueror’ moves quickly to the final battle and though thought to have lost it, He become the amazing Victor of the battle and the war. This story has all the characteristics of a contrived drama about the “World’s Greatest Conqueror!”, except it is a contemporary history, concerning Jesus of Bethlehem, Who was the “World’s Greatest Conqueror!” He did what no one had, has or will ever be able to do: Conquer death and sins and secure an eternal home for all that accept Him as that magnificent Conqueror!
Mark was known as John Mark in his early introduction to Jesus and those disciples closely associated with Jesus. (AD27-30) He was chased by the soldiers in the Garden when Jesus was arrested prior to His crucifixion and traveled with Dr. Paul and Prof. Barnabas (who was his uncle from Cyprus) for a short time. Later with Barnabas only. He ends up later, back with Doctor Paul and his team. Thus, as a Prophet of Jesus, he was a great asset to the early work for His Cause: evangelizing, teaching, maturing and organizing folks for service in Jesus’ Kingdom. (AD43ish-64) We feel He wrote this contemporary history while working with Prof. Peter.
Note: All references are in: [ ] or { }. All words in ( ) are part of the Text.
Date: A.D. 57ish
Text:
(1st) [The] Beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God: As it is written in the prophets, “You [sing.] must listen!” ‘I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your Way {Mal.3:1}’. “He is a voice crying in the desert, ‘You must prepare the Lord’s Way! You must make His paths straight {Is.40:3}!’”
John came and immersed in the desert and preached the immersion of a willing reform of mind and life [the reform to Jesus’ new Way], in order that sins might be forgiven. All the people of Judea were going out to him, as well as, all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and were being immersed by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. He was preaching, saying, “One, Who is mightier than I comes after me. I am unworthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals. I immersed you in water, but He will immerse you in [the] Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus went from Nazareth of Galilee and was immersed into the Jordan by John. Immediately He came up out of the water, and saw the heavens being opened, and the Spirit as a dove coming down to Him. A Voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son. I am well pleased with You [Is.42:1].”
Right away the Spirit led Him into the desert, where for forty days He was being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, but the angels were serving Him. {1:13}
(2nd) After John had been taken into custody, Jesus went to Galilee and preached the Good News of God, saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is near. It is imperative that you all willingly reform your minds and lives and you all must believe in the Good News.” {1:15}
As Jesus was passing by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew, casting a net in the sea, for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after Me! And I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed Him. He went on a little way, and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John in the boat repairing nets. Right away He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed Him. {1:20}
They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and was teaching. They were astonished at His doctrine, for He was teaching them as one with authority, and not as the scribes.
And immediately a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue, saying, “What do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know Who You are, the Holy One of God.” Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, saying, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him, screamed with a loud voice, and came out of him. All were amazed, and questioned among themselves, asking, “What is this? A new teaching? With authority He commands unclean spirits and they obey Him.” The report about Jesus went out speedily everywhere into all the surrounding region of Galilee. {1:28}
Immediately they left the synagogue, and went into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with fever, and right away they told Him about her. He went to her, took her hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began serving them. {1:31}
In the evening, after sunset, they brought to Him all those who were very ill, and those who were demon-possessed. The whole city was gathering at the door. He healed many who were ill with all kinds of diseases, and cast out many demons, but He did not permit them to speak, for they knew Him.
Early in the morning, while it was still quite dark, He arose, went out, and departed into a desert place and there was praying. Simon and those with Him searched diligently for Him. They found Him, and said, “All are seeking you.” He said to them, “Let us go elsewhere into the neighboring country towns, and I will preach there, because I have come for this.” And He went preaching into their synagogues in all of Galilee and was casting out demons. {1:39}
A leper came to Him, entreating Him, and kneeling, and said to Him, “If You should want to, You can cleanse me.” His heart went out to him, and He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I will. Be cleansed!” Immediately the leprosy went away from him, and he was cleansed. He sternly charged him, and at once sent him away, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but you must go, and must show yourself to the priest and must take for your cleansing the things Moses commanded for a testimony to them.” However, the man went out and told it everywhere and spread the news around, so that no longer could He enter a town openly. But He was outside in desert places, and they were coming to Him from all directions.
Jesus entered Capernaum, and some days later it was reported that He was in a house. Many gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door, and He was speaking the Message to them. They came and brought to Him a paralytic being carried by four. When they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof where He was, made an opening, and lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic was lying. Jesus saw their faith, and said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Some of the Scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does he speak this way? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins except God?” Jesus, understanding immediately in His spirit that they were so reasoning in themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning these things in your hearts? Which is easier to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Arise, take up your stretcher and walk”? But, that you may know the Son of man has authority on the Earth to forgive sins, – (He said to the paralytic) “I say to you, arise! Take up your stretcher! And go to your house!” He arose, immediately took up his stretcher, and went out before them all, so that all were amazed, and were praising God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” {2:12}
Again, He went out beside the sea, and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them. As He went along, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, “You must follow me.” He arose and followed Him. It came about that Jesus was dining in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Him and his disciples, for they were many, and they were following Him. The scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, and asked His disciples, “Does he eat with the sinners and tax collectors?” Jesus heard and answered them, “They who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. They came and asked Him, “Why do John’s disciples and the Pharisees’ disciples fast but yours do not?” Jesus said to them, “Can the bridegroom’s attendants fast while the bridegroom is with them? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom has been taken from them, and then they will fast in that day. No one sews an un-shrunken patch of cloth on an old garment; otherwise, the patch pulls from it, the new from the old, and the tear becomes worse. Also, no one pours new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the wineskins and the wine is poured out and the wineskins are destroyed. But new wine must be poured into new wineskins.”
It came about that on the Sabbath He was going through the grain fields. His disciples began to make a way, picking heads of wheat. But the Pharisees were saying to Him, “Look! Why are they doing on the Sabbath what is not lawful?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he had a need and he was hungry and those with him, how he went into God’s house and ate the sacred bread, which, except for the priests, it is not lawful to eat, and also he gave to those with him? {1 Sam.21:1f} The Sabbath was created for the sake of man, not man for the sake of the Sabbath. Too, the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” {2:28}
Jesus again entered the synagogue, where there was a man with a withered hand. They were watching Him closely to see if He would heal on the Sabbath, in order to bring charges against Him. Jesus said to the man with the withered hand, “Stand in the midst.” Then He spoke to the people, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to kill?” They remained silent. He looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” As he did so his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out immediately with the Herodians, and conspired against Jesus, that they might destroy Him. Then Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea.
A large crowd from Galilee followed Him, and also from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and around Tyre and Sidon. They heard all that He was doing and came to Him. He told His disciples to prepare Him a boat because of the crowd, lest they push against Him; for He healed many, so that they were pressing upon Him, in order that as many as had illnesses might touch Him. When unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall before Him, and cry, “You are God’s Son.” And He strictly charged them that they should not make Him known. {3:12}
Then He went up into the mountain, and called the ones He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed twelve to be with Him, calling them Apostles. He sent these to preach, and to have authority to cast out demons. And he appointed the Twelve: Simon (whom he surnamed Peter); James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother (whom he surnamed Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
He went into a home, but such a crowd gathered that they could not have a meal. And when his friends heard it, they went out to take hold of Him, for they were saying, “He is beside Himself.” The Scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He has Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he casts out demons.” Jesus summoned them to Him, and spoke in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand, and if Satan rises up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man’s house to seize his possessions unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. Indeed, I assure you that all sins and blasphemies will be forgiven to men, but whosoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. He is guilty of an eternal sin.” Jesus said this because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” {3:30}
His mother and brothers came and stood outside, and sent to Him, calling Him. The crowd was sitting around Jesus, and told Him, “Behold! Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside, seeking you.” He asked, “Who are My mother and brothers?” And He looked around on those about Him, and said, “Look! My mother and brothers! Whoever does God’s Will is My brother and sister and mother.”
Again, He began to teach by the seaside, and a large crowd gathered before Him. He stepped into a boat and sat in the sea, while the people were on the beach. He instructed them in many things by parables, and was saying to them in His Teaching, “Behold! A sower went out to sow. As he sowed, some seed fell beside the way and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on rocky ground where the soil was shallow and sprang up right away because the ground was shallow. When the sun arose it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked it, and it gave no fruit. Other seed fell on good ground and grew and increased, producing grain: thirty-fold, sixty-fold, and a hundred-fold.” And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, it is imperative that he hears!” {4:9}
When He was alone, the ones around Him with the Twelve were asking about the parables. He replied, “The Mystery of God’s Kingdom is given to you, but all is in parables to outsiders, that seeing they see but do not perceive, that hearing they hear but do not understand; so that they do not turn and are forgiven.” He continued, “Do you not know this parable? How will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the Message. When those by the wayside – where the seed is sown – hear the Message, Satan immediately comes and takes the Message away that was sown in them. The ones who are sown on the rocky ground are those who hear the Message and immediately receive it with joy. They have no root in themselves, but only last a little while. When distress or persecution comes because of the Message, they immediately are caused to stumble. Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are the ones who hear the Message, and the cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things coming in choke the Message, and it becomes unfruitful. Those sown on the good ground are the ones who hear the Message, receive it, and bear fruit: thirty-fold, sixty-fold, and a hundred-fold.” And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not placed under a measuring basket or under a bed, is it? Is it not placed on a lamp stand? Nothing is hidden that will not be uncovered, neither is anything concealed that will not come into the light. If anyone has ears to hear, he must hear [Me]!” He continued, “You all must be careful what you must hear: the measure you give will be the measure you get, and more. He who has, will receive; but he who does not have, even what he has will be taken.” He also said, “God’s Kingdom is as if a man throws seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day. He does not know how the seed sprouts and grows. The earth bears fruit by itself, first the blade, then the head, then the mature wheat. When the condition of the crop permits, he immediately uses the sickle, because the grain is ripe.” He continued, “With what shall we compare God’s Kingdom, or in what parable shall we present it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which is the smallest seed when it is sown, and it grows and becomes greater than all vegetables, and produces large branches, so that the birds can nest under its shadow.”
With many such parables He continued to proclaim the Message to them, as they could understand. He did not speak to them without a parable, but He explained everything privately to his disciples. {4:34}
He said to them, in the evening of that day, “Let us go to the other side.” They left the crowd, and took Him as He was in a boat, and other boats were with Him. A strong windstorm arose, and waves were pouring into the boat, so that it was already getting full. He was in the rear, sleeping with his head on a cushion. They awoke Him and asked, “Teacher, are You not concerned that we are perishing?” He arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind quieted and there was a great calm. Then He asked, “Why are you afraid? Do you not yet have faith.” They were greatly afraid, saying to one another, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” {4:41}
They went to the other side of the sea into the country of the Gadarenes. As He left the boat, immediately a man from the tombs, who had an unclean spirit, met Him. He lived among the tombs. No one had been able to bind him with a chain; often he had been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains and broke the shackles. Nobody could subdue him. Continually, night and day, among the tombs, and in the mountains, he was crying and cutting himself with rocks. He saw Jesus from a distance, ran and fell before Him, and cried with a loud voice, saying, “What do I have to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me.” Jesus responded, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!” And He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied to him, “My name is Legion, because we are many.” He pleaded earnestly with Jesus not to send them out of the country. On the mountain a large herd of pigs was feeding. The unclean spirits begged Him, “You ought to send us into the pigs, that we might enter them.” He gave them permission, and the unclean spirits went out, and entered the pigs. The herd, about two thousand, dashed down the slope into the sea, and was choked in the sea. The herdsmen fled and spread the news in the city and country, and they came to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the man who had been demon-possessed. He was sitting, clothed, and sane, and they were afraid. The ones who had seen what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs told the newcomers. They requested Jesus to leave their country. As He stepped into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with Him. Jesus did not permit him, but said, “You must go to your house, to your people and must tell them how many things the Lord has done for you, and that He had mercy on you.” He went away and proclaimed in the Decapolis what great things Jesus had done, and all marveled. {5:20}
Jesus again crossed the sea in the boat; a large crowd met Him, and He was beside the sea. One of the Rulers of the synagogue, whose name was Jairus, came. He saw Jesus, fell at His feet, and earnestly begged, “My daughter is at the point of death. Come, place Your hands on her, that she may be well and live.” He went with him, followed by a large crowd pressing against him.
A woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years, and had suffered painfully from many physicians, and had spent all her money, was worse off. She heard about Jesus, and came in the crowd behind, and touched His coat, saying, “If only I touch His coat, I will be made well.” Immediately the flow of her blood stopped, and she knew in her body that she was healed. Jesus, immediately understanding that power had gone from Him, turned around in the crowd, and asked, “Who touched Me?” His disciples replied, “You see that the crowd is pushing against you and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?”‘ He looked around to see who had done this. The woman, afraid and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, fell before Him, and told Him all the truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be healed from your suffering.”
While He was yet speaking, some men from Jairus’ house came and said, “Your daughter has died. Why continue to trouble the Teacher?” Jesus, hearing what was said, reassured the ruler, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” He allowed no one to accompany him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James). They came to the ruler’s house, and Jesus noticed the uproar of crying and wailing. As Jesus entered, He said to them, “Why are you disturbed and crying? The child has not died but is sleeping.” They ridiculed Him. Jesus sent them all out and took the child’s father and mother and the ones who were with Him and entered the room where the child was. He took her hand, and said, “Talitha cumi!,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” Immediately the young girl stood up and was walking, for she was twelve years old. They were greatly astonished. He sternly charged them that no one should be made aware of this and instructed that food be given her. {5:43}
(3rd) He left that place and went to His hometown, and His disciples followed Him. On the Sabbath He began to teach in the synagogue. Many were astonished at what they heard and exclaimed, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to this man? How can he do such miracles with his hands? Is this not the (master) carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Are not his sisters here with us?”
They were offended at him. Jesus replied, “A prophet is not dishonored except in his own country and among his kinsmen and in his own home.” He could not do a miracle there, except healing a few sick people, by placing His hands on them. And He continued to marvel at their unbelief. {6:6}
He was going around the villages teaching, and called to Himself the Twelve, and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over unclean spirits and charged them not to take anything for the road except a staff only: no bread, no bag, no copper in the belt; but to be shod with sandals, and “Do not take two coats.” He also said, “Lodge in whatever house you enter until you leave that place. And whatever place neither receives you, nor listens to you, as you leave, shake off the dust of your feet for a witness against them.” They went out and preached that men should willingly reform their minds and lives. They cast out demons, anointed many sick people with oil, and healed them.
When Herod the king heard (because Jesus’ name had become known) he was saying, “John the immerser has been raised from the dead, and therefore the miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah,” or “One of the prophets.” But when Herod heard, he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” (Herod sent and had John seized and jailed because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for he had married her. John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias held a grudge against John, and wanted to kill him, but she had not been able, for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was an upright and a holy man. He continued to protect him, but when he would listen to him, he would be deeply disturbed, yet he continued to listen to him gladly. On a convenient day, Herod hosted his birthday dinner for important officials, military officers, and the principal men of Galilee as guests. Herodias’ daughter entered and danced, pleasing Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “You ought to ask me whatever you wish, and I will give it to you!” He swore loudly, “Whatever you ask, I will give it to you, to the half of my kingdom.” She went and asked her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the immerser.” She immediately rushed to the king, and said, “I want you to give to me at once the head of John the immerser on a platter!” The king was very sad, but because of his oath and the guests, he did not wish to refuse her. The king immediately sent an officer and ordered him to bring his head. The officer went and beheaded John in the prison. He brought the head on a platter, and gave it to the girl, who gave it to her mother. John’s disciples heard what had been done, and they went and took his body and laid it in a tomb.) [AD29] {6:29}
The Apostles returned to Jesus and related everything they had done and what they had taught. He said to them, “Come privately to a lonely place, as you all must rest a little.” Many people were coming and going, not leaving them enough time to eat. {6:31}
They went privately in a boat to a desert place. Many people from all the cities saw them leaving and knew where they were going. They ran ahead and arrived there before them. When He stepped out of the boat, He saw the large crowd and His heart went out to them, because they were as sheep without a shepherd. He began to teach them many things.
When the day was nearly gone, His disciples came to him and said, “This place is a desert and the hour is late. You ought to dismiss them so that they may go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.” “You must feed them,” replied Jesus. They asked, “Shall we go and buy forty dollars worth of bread?” He inquired, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see!” When they had found out, they replied, “Five, and two fish.” He commanded them that all should sit in groups on the green grass. They took their places by hundreds and fifties. He took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up into heaven, and gave thanks, and broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples, that they might set them before the people, and He distributed the fish among all of them. After everyone had eaten and was satisfied, they gathered twelve basketfuls of broken pieces, also of the fish. Those who had eaten were five thousand men. He immediately made his disciples embark in the boat and cross over to Bethsaida on the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. He said farewell to them and went into the mountain to pray.
At evening the boat was out on the sea, while He was alone on the land. He saw their struggling in their rowing (for the wind was against them), and He came to them about the fourth watch of the night, walking on the sea, and wanted to pass by them. They, however, saw Him walking on the water, and thought He was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw Him and were terrified. He immediately spoke to them, saying, “Be of good courage. “I AM”, You must not be afraid.” He went up to them in the boat, and the wind subsided, and they were altogether astonished. They had not understood about the loaves, for their heart had been hardened.
They crossed over to the land, came to Gennesaret, and anchored. As they left the boat, they were immediately recognized. People ran throughout all of the country and began to carry the sick on stretchers where they were hearing that Jesus was. Every place He went (in villages, cities, or in the country), they placed their sick in the market-places, and begged to touch even the fringe of His clothing. As many as touched were healed. {6:56}
The Pharisees and certain ones of the scribes from Jerusalem approached Jesus and noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled (unwashed) hands. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands up to the elbows, holding the tradition of their elders. After they return from the marketplace, if they do not wash, they do not eat. And there are many other things which they have received to keep: the washing of cups, pots, brass utensils, and dining couches.) The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk after the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He answered, “Isaiah has prophesied well about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honor’s Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. In vain they worship Me, teaching as ‘precepts’ the commandments of men.’ You have forsaken the commandment of God and are (must) keeping the tradition of men. Are you doing right in rejecting God’s command, that you may establish your tradition? Moses said, ‘You all MUST honor your father and your mother {Ex.20:12; Duet.5:16} and, “He who speaks evil of father or mother MUST surely die,’ {Ex.21:17}, but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Anything, the benefit of which you would have received from me, is Korban, that is, given to God”’, then you no longer permit him to do anything for his mother or father. You cancel God’s Message by your tradition. You do many such like things.” He again summoned the crowd, and said to them, “You MUST listen to Me, and understand, all of you. Nothing that enters a man from the outside defiles him, but the things that come out of a man defile him.” {7:16}
He left the crowd and entered a house. There His disciples asked Him about the parable. He replied, “So, are you also unable to discern? Do you not understand that nothing that a man eats can defile him? What he eats does not enter his heart but his stomach and is later expelled.” (So, He declared all foods clean.) And continued, “The thing which goes out of the man, that defiles the man. From within men’s hearts arise evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, greedy desires, malicious acts, deceit, sensuality, malice, abusive speech, arrogance, folly. All these things come from within, and they defile a man.” {7:23}
When He was ready, He departed from there and went into the region of Tyre and Sidon. He did not want anyone to acknowledge where He was, but He could not hide. Immediately, a woman – whose daughter had an unclean spirit – heard about Him, came to Him, and fell at His feet. She was a Greek of Syrophoenicia and begged Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He was saying to her, “You must let the children be fed first, because it is not good to take the bread of the children and to throw it to the little dogs.” She answered, “True, Lord, but even the little dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Jesus said, “Because of your statement, go your way: the demon has gone out of your daughter.” When she arrived at her home, she found the child laid on a bed and the demon gone.
He again left the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee into the midst of the district of Decapolis. They brought to Him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged Him to place his hand on him. Jesus took him aside from the crowd and put His fingers in his ears; then He spit and touched his tongue. He looked up into heaven, sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened!” Immediately, his ears were opened, and the fetter of his tongue was loosed, and he began speaking normally. He charged them not to tell anyone, but the more He charged them, the more they were proclaiming it. They were amazed beyond all measure and said, “He has done all things well, and has made the deaf to hear and the mutes to speak.” {7:37}
In those days there was again a large crowd with nothing to eat. He summoned his disciples, and said to them, “My heart goes out to the people, because they have already been with Me three days, and have nothing to eat. If I send them to their homes hungry, they will fall out on the road. Some of them have come from far away.” His disciples replied, “From where, here in the desert, could anyone get bread enough to fill them?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” He commanded the crowd to sit on the ground. He took the seven loaves and gave thanks and broke them and gave them to the disciples so that they could set them before the people. They also had a few small fish, for which He also gave thanks, and they were handed out. They ate and were satisfied, and they took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left. About four thousand men had eaten, and He dismissed them. He immediately got into a boat with his disciples and went into the parts of Dalmanutha.
The Pharisees came and began to question Him. They tested Him by asking for a sign from heaven. He groaned in His spirit, and replied, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Indeed, I assure you that no sign shall be given to this generation.” He left them, again got into a boat, and went to the other side.
The disciples forgot to take bread, and they only had one loaf in the boat. He ordered, “You must watch out! You must beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Herodians.” They began discussing among themselves, because they had no bread. But Jesus, being aware, asked them, “Why are you discussing that you do not have bread? Do you not yet perceive, neither understand? Do you have your heart hardened? Do you not see, though you have eyes? Do you not hear, though you have ears? Do you not remember when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets of broken pieces you collected?” They replied, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” They answered, “Seven.” He continued, “Do you not yet understand?” {8:21}
They went to Bethsaida, where some people led a blind man to Him and begged Him that He might touch the man. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. He spit on his eyes, laid His hands on him, and asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up, and replied, “I see men like trees walking around.” Then he again put his hands on his eyes, and He opened his eyes wide, and he was cured, and he could see everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Do not enter the village.” {8:26}
(4th) Jesus went with His disciples into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked, “Who do men say that I am?” They replied, “Some say, ‘John the immerser,’ and some ‘Elijah,’ and others, ‘One of the prophets.'” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” He ordered them not to talk about Him to anyone. {8:30}
He began to teach them that it was necessary for the Son of man to suffer many things; to be rejected by the elders, the Chief Priests, and the Scribes; to be killed, and to arise after three days. He was announcing these things openly, but Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke Him. But Jesus turned, and saw His disciples, and rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are not thinking about the things of God, but the things of men.” {8:33}
Jesus summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he MUST deny himself, take up his cross, and he MUST follow [only] Me. Whoever wishes to save his life, will lose it, and whoever will lose his life because of Me and of the Good News, will save it. What will a man profit by gaining the whole world and losing his soul? What will a man give in exchange for his soul? Whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of man will be ashamed of him when He comes with His holy angels in His Father’s glory.” And He was saying to them, “Indeed, I assure you that some standing here will not taste of death until they see God’s Kingdom come in power.” {9:1}
After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them into a high mountain alone. He was transformed before them. His clothes became dazzling, exceedingly white, such as no laundryman on the Earth could whiten them so. Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus. Peter spoke up and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, and they were afraid. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a Voice came from the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Hear only Him!” Suddenly, as they looked around, they no longer saw anyone, but only Jesus with themselves.
While they were coming down from the mountain, He gave orders to them that they should tell no one what they had seen until the Son of man should rise from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, questioning what is ‘the rising from the dead’. They asked Him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He replied to them, “Elijah indeed comes first and restores all things, and how is it written concerning the Son of man that He should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I assure you that Elijah has already come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written concerning him.” {9:13}
They returned to the disciples and saw a large crowd around them, and scribes were arguing with them. All of the crowd immediately saw Jesus and were amazed and ran to Him and greeted Him. He asked them, “What were you debating with them?” One from the crowd answered, “Teacher, I have brought my son to You. He has a spirit that has made him mute. Wherever he seizes him, he throws him down, and causes him to foam at the mouth and to grind his teeth. He is wasting away. I asked your disciples to cast him out, but they could not.” He replied to them, “O unbelieving generation! How long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” They brought the boy to Him, and the spirit saw Jesus, and immediately threw the boy into convulsions. He fell to the ground and rolled, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked his father, “How long has he been this way?” He answered, “From childhood, and he often throws him into fire or water to destroy him. If you can do anything, have mercy on us and help us.” Jesus replied to him, “If you can! All things are possible to the one who believes.” The father of the child immediately cried out, “I believe! Help my unbelief.” Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, and He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “Mute and deaf spirit, come out of him and do not enter him again.” The spirit cried out and tore him terribly, and then came out. The lad became as dead, so that many said that he had died. Jesus took hold of his hand and raised him, and he stood. Jesus entered a house, and His disciples asked Him privately, “Why were we unable to cast out the spirit?” He answered, “No one can cast out this kind, except by prayer.” {9:29}
They left that place, and went through Galilee, but He did not want anyone to know; for He was teaching His disciples, and saying to them, “The Son of man is being delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, but after three days He will arise.” However, they did not understand His saying, and were afraid to ask Him. {9:32}
They went into Capernaum, and when He was in a house, He asked His disciples, “What were you discussing along the road?” They remained silent, for in the way they had discussed among themselves who was the greatest. He sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he will be last of all and a servant of all.” He took a little child, placed him in their midst, took him in his arms, and said, “Whoever receives one little child like this in My Name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me but the One who sent Me.”
John said, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your Name, and we forbade him, because he has not been following us.” Jesus replied, “You must not forbid him, for no one doing a miracle in My Name can quickly speak evil of Me. He who is not against us is for us. He who gives you a cup of water in My Name, because you belong to Christ, indeed I assure you that he certainly will not lose his reward. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a large millstone were hanged about his neck and he were cast into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, you must cut it off. It would be better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having both hands and go into hell, into unquenchable fire. If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off! It would be better for you to enter into life crippled than having two feet and be cast into hell. If your eye causes you to stumble, you must gouge it out. It would be better for you to enter God’s Kingdom with one eye than having two eyes and be cast into hell, where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if it becomes tasteless, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves and you must be at peace with one another.” {9:50}
Jesus left for Judea and the region beyond the Jordan. Crowds again went with Him, and as He was accustomed, He continued to teach. The Pharisees came to Him and tested Jesus by asking Him if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife. He asked them, “What did Moses command you?” They answered, “Moses permitted a bill of divorce and a release.” Jesus said, “He wrote this commandment because of the hardness of your heart. But from the beginning of the creation ‘He made them male and female. For this reason. a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife. The two shall be one flesh,’ so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined no man MUST separate.” In the house the disciples again asked Him about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” {10:12}
They were bringing little children to Jesus, so that He might touch them; but His disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He became angry, and said to them, “You must allow the little children to come to Me. You must not forbid them, for God’s Kingdom consists of such as these. Indeed, I assure you that whoever does not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child shall certainly not enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, blessed them, and laid his Hands upon them. {10:16}
When Jesus was going out into the road, a man ran to Him, knelt before Him, and asked, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit everlasting life?” Jesus replied to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One: God. You know the commands: ‘Do not murder; Do not commit adultery; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; Do not cheat; Honor your father and mother’.” He replied to Him, “Teacher, I have obeyed all of these things since I was young.” Jesus looked into him, loved him, and said, “One thing you lack: You must go and sell whatever you have, and must give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and you must come and follow Me.” He was saddened by Jesus’ words, and went away sorrowful, because he had great possessions. When Jesus had looked around, He said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter God’s Kingdom!” The disciples were astonished at His words. Jesus repeated to them what He had said, “Children, how difficult it is for those who trust in riches to enter God’s Kingdom! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter God’s Kingdom.” They were even more amazed, and were asking among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “This is impossible with men, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to Him, “Behold! We have left all and followed You.” Jesus replied, “Indeed, I assure you, that no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, because of Me, and because of the Good News, because he shall now receive in this world a hundred-fold of houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the world to come. But many who are first shall be last, and the last first.” {10:31}
(5th) They were going up on the road to Jerusalem, and Jesus was leading them. They were astonished, and others who followed were afraid. He again took the Twelve to Himself and began to tell them what was about to happen to Him, “Behold! [You all must listen well!] We are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles. They will mock and spit upon Him, flog and kill Him, but after three days He will arise.”
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” He replied to them, “What do you want Me to do?” They said, “Grant that in your glory we may sit, one at Your right hand, and one at Your left.” Jesus said, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink, or be overwhelmed in the immersion that submerges Me?” They replied, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup that I drink, and the immersion that submerges Me will overwhelm you; but to sit at My right or left hand is not mine to give: it is for them for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard, they began to be angry at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that those who are reputed to be rulers among the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones, exercise authority over them. But it shall not be this way among you. Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wants to be first shall become a slave of all. The Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” {10:45}
They entered Jericho. As He and His disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the side of the road. He heard that Jesus, the Nazarene, was there, and he cried out, saying, “Son of David, Jesus, be merciful to me!” Many rebuked him, telling him to be quiet, but all the more he continued pleading, “Son of David, be merciful to me!” Jesus stood still, and said, “Call him!” They called the blind man, saying, “Be of good cheer and arise! He calls you.” He left his coat, jumped up, and went to Jesus. Jesus asked, “What do you want Me to do?” The blind man said, “My Teacher, that I may see!” Jesus replied, “Go! Your faith has saved you.” Immediately he could see and followed Jesus on the road. {10:52}
They drew near to Jerusalem (at Bethphage and Bethany on the mount of Olives), and He sent two of his disciples, saying, “You must enter the next village, right away you will find a colt tied upon which no one has ever sat. You must untie him and bring him to Me. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’, say, ‘The Lord needs him.’ He will send him right away.” They went and found a colt tied at a door, outside in the street, and they began to untie him. Some men standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They replied to them as Jesus had instructed and were permitted to take the colt. They led him to Jesus, and placed their garments on the colt, and Jesus sat on him. Many people spread their garments on the road; and others, leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. Those leading the way and those following Him were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the One coming in the Lord’s name! Blessed is the coming Kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” [Ps.118:25-26] Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the Temple and looked around on everything. At evening He went with the Twelve to Bethany. {11:12}
The next day as He left Bethany, He was hungry. From afar He saw a fig tree with leaves, and He walked over to it, if perhaps He might find fruit on it. However, since it was not the season for figs, He found nothing but leaves. He spoke to the tree, “Never will anyone eat your fruit.” His disciples were listening.
They went into Jerusalem. He entered the Temple and began to throw out those who bought and sold in the Temple, and to overturn the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. Moreover, He did not allow anyone to carry a vessel through the Temple. He started teaching them, and was asking, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.'” The chief priests and the scribes heard Him and started seeking how they might destroy Him. But they were afraid of Him, because all the people were amazed at His teaching. At evening they left the city. {11:19}
Early the next morning as they walked along, they noticed the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered.” Jesus replied to them, “Have faith in God. Indeed, I assure you that whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea!’ And does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he has said will happen, it shall happen. Therefore, I assure you, you must have faith that you will receive the things for which you must pray, and you shall receive them. Also, when you stand and pray, if you have anything against anyone, it is imperative that you forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your trespasses.” {11:25}
They again entered Jerusalem. While He was walking in the Temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders approached Him, and said to Him, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority, that you might do them?” Jesus replied to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. Is the immersion of John from heaven or from men?” They were reasoning among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,'” (they were afraid of the people, for they all regarded John as a true prophet), so, they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” {11:33}
He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard, enclosed it with a hedge, dug a trough under the wine-press, built a tower, leased it to tenant farmers, and went on a journey. At harvest time he sent a slave to receive from the farmers some fruit of the vineyard. They seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. He sent to them another slave, whom they beat on the head and treated shamefully. Another was sent, whom they killed. Many others were sent, some of whom they beat, and others they killed. He had yet one more: his beloved son. He at last sent him to them, saying, ‘They will honor my son.’ But the farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So, they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do?” [The crowd said,] “He will kill the farmers and will give the vineyard to others”. [Jesus said to Rulers] “Have you not read this Scripture, “The Stone which the builders rejected has become the Keystone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes [Ps.118:22-23]!”? They continued to seek an opportunity to take Him into custody, but were afraid of the people, because they knew that He had spoken the parable against them. They left Him and went away. {12:12}
Then they sent to Him some Pharisees and Herodians that they might catch Him in an unguarded statement. They came, and said, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and that You court no man’s favor; You show no partiality, but You teach God’s Way in accordance with Truth. Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar or not?” He perceived their trickery and asked them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring to Me a coin that I might see!” They brought Him one and He said to them, “Whose are the image and inscription?” They replied, “Caesar’s.” Jesus said to them, “You must give Caesar’s things to Caesar, and God’s things to God.” They wondered because of Him. {12:17}
Next, the Sadducees (who deny the resurrection) came to Him and asked, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a husband dies and leaves a wife, but does not leave a child, his brother is to marry the widow and rear offspring for his brother. There were seven brothers. The first married and died, leaving no heir. The second married the widow, and he too died childless, as did the third. None of the seven left an heir. Last of all, the widow died. Whose wife will she be in the resurrection? They all had her as a wife.” Jesus said, “Are you not deceiving yourselves, because you know neither the Scriptures nor God’s power? When they arise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but will be like the angels in heaven. Concerning the dead, that they are raised, have you not read what God said in Moses’ Book in the passage about the thorn-bush, ‘“I AM”, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ [Ex.3:6, 15]? He is not the God of the dead but of the living. You are very much mistaken.” {12:27}
One of the Scribes, who had heard their debate, and knew that He had answered them well, approached and asked, “What is the first Commandment of all?” Jesus replied, “The first is, ‘You must listen, Israel, the Lord our God is One, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no Commandment greater than these.” The Scribe responded to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken according to Truth in saying that He is One and that there is no god except Him; and to continue loving Him with all of the heart, and with all of the mind, and with all of the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, are more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.” Jesus saw that the man had answered thoughtfully, and said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one any more dared to ask Him a question. {12:34}
After Jesus had answered, he began teaching in the Temple, asking, “Why do the scribes say that the Christ is David’s son? David himself said by the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I place Your enemies under Your feet [Ps.110:1].'” David himself called Him ‘Lord.’ How then is He his son?” {12:37}
A large crowd continued to hear Him gladly. And He was saying in His teaching, “You all must watch out for the scribes who love to walk about in long robes and receive greetings in the market places; who enjoy the front seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at dinners. They devour widows’ houses and pray long prayers for show. These will receive a more severe judgment.”
He sat opposite the contribution box, and watched the people casting in their money. Many who were rich were casting in much, while one poor widow came and cast in two small copper coins. He summoned His disciples and said, “Indeed, I assure you that this poor widow has given more than all of those who have contributed; for others gave of their surplus, but she of her need, even all of her living.” {12:44}
As He was leaving the Temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look! What stones! What buildings!” Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? By no means shall a stone here be left on another which shall not be thrown down.” While He was sitting on the mount of Olives, across from the Temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew privately asked, “When shall these things be, and what is the sign when all these things are about to come to an end?” Jesus began to say to them, “You all must be on guard that no one leads you astray. Many will come in My Name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and news of wars, you must not be alarmed. These things must come, but the end is not yet. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Earthquakes will be widespread, and famines. These are the beginning of woes. It is imperative that you all watch, for they will deliver you to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of Me, to witness to them. The Good News, however, must be proclaimed first to all nations. {13:10}
When they will lead you away, taking you into custody, do not be worried what you will say, but speak whatever is given you in that hour; for you are not the ones who speak, but the Holy Spirit. A brother will deliver his brother to death, and a father his child. Children will stand up against parents and put them to death. You will be hated by all people for My Name’s sake. He who endures to the end, this one shall be saved. When you see the detestable thing, causing the desolation, standing where it ought not (the reader MUST understand), then those in Judea must escape into the mountains. The one who is on the roof must not come down or go inside to take anything out of his house; and the one who is in the field ought not return to pick up his coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and those who are nursing in those days. You must pray that it be not winter, for in those days will be such suffering as has not been from the creation until now, and never will be. Except the Lord shortens the days, no one will be saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, He shall shorten the days. Then, if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Christ!’, or ‘Look! There!’, do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets shall arise and give signs and wonders to deceive the chosen ones, if possible. You MUST be on guard: I have told you all things beforehand. In those days after that suffering, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give its light. The stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers in the heavens shall be shaken. Then, they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. He shall then send His angels, and He shall gather His chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the end of heaven. {13:27}
Learn the parable from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender, and it puts out leaves, you understand that summer is near. So, when you see these things happening, you shall understand that He is near. Indeed, I assure you that this generation shall not pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall never pass away. {13:31}
No one except the Father knows concerning that day or the hour: neither the angels, nor the Son. Beware! Be on the alert! For you do not know when the time is. It is like a man who is away on a journey, who left his house after giving authority to his slaves, to each to do his work, and he commanded the doorkeeper to watch. You must stay awake, therefore, because you do not know when the master of the house comes, whether at evening, or in the middle of the night, or at the time the rooster crows, or early in the morning. He may come unexpectedly and find you sleeping. I say to everyone, what I am telling you: you all MUST watch!” {13:37}
(6th) Passover and the Feast of unleavened bread were after two days. The Chief Priests and scribes were seeking a way to seize Him by treachery and kill Him. However, they were saying, “Not during the Feast, for there will be an uproar among the people.” While He was in Bethany, dining in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster bottle of pure nard, a very expensive perfume, broke the bottle, and poured the perfume on His head. Some were angry, saying among themselves, “Why was this perfume wasted? This perfume might have been sold for more than sixty dollars, and the money given to the poor.” They scolded her. Jesus said, “Leave her alone! Do not trouble her. She has done a beautiful thing for Me. You always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish, you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could. She has anointed My body beforehand to prepare Me for burial. Indeed, I assure you that wherever the Good News is proclaimed throughout the world, what this woman has done will be told in her memory.” Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve, went to the Chief Priests to hand over Jesus to them. They heard him, and rejoiced, and promised to give him money. Then he began seeking an opportune time to hand over Jesus to them. {14:11}
On the first day of ‘unleavened bread’, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare to eat the Passover?” He sent two of His disciples and said to them, “You must go into the city. A man will meet you carrying a jar of water. You must follow him. When he enters a house, say to the master of the house that the Teacher asks, ‘Where is the guestroom, where I shall eat the Passover with My disciples?’ He will show you a large, furnished, upstairs room. You must make preparation there for us.” The disciples went into the city, and found everything as He had said, and prepared the Passover. {14:16}
At evening He came with the Twelve. While they were eating, Jesus said, “Indeed, I assure you that one of you will betray Me, one who is eating with Me.” They became sorrowful, and asked one by one, “Is it I?” He replied to them, “One of the Twelve, who dips in the bowl with Me. The Son of man goes away, as it is written, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would have been better for him if that man had not been born.” {14:21}
While they were eating, He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “You must take this bread, which is My body.” And He took a cup, and blessed it, and gave it to them, and they all drank of it. He said, “This is My blood of the [new] Covenant, which is being poured out for many. Indeed, I assure you that I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in God’s Kingdom.” They sang a hymn and went out into the mount of Olives. {14:26}
Jesus said to them, “All of you will be offended at Me, because it is written, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered [Zech.13:7].” But after My resurrection I will go before you into Galilee.” Peter said to Him, “If all are offended at You, I will not!” Jesus replied to him, “Today, even this night, before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” Peter emphatically protested, “If it is necessary for me to die for You, I will never deny You!” All said the same thing.
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to His disciples, “You must sit here while I pray.” He took aside with Him Peter and James and John, and he began to be distressed and was filled with anxiety. He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to death. You must stay here and watch.” He went forward a little, fell to the ground, and prayed that, if possible, the hour might pass away. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you: You must take this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but more so, what You Will.” When He returned, He found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? You must watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away again and prayed, saying the same thing. He returned, and again found them sleeping (because their eyes were very heavy), and they did not know how to answer Him. He came to them a third time, and said, “Are you going to continue sleeping and resting! It is enough! The hour has come. Behold! The Son of man is betrayed into sinners’ hands. Arise! Let us go. Behold! The betrayer is near.” Immediately, while He was still talking, Judas arrived with a crowd armed with swords and clubs. They came from the Chief Priests, the scribes, and the elders. The betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss, he is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” He came and right away approached Jesus and said to Him, “Rabbi,” and kissed Him tenderly. They grabbed Him and took Him into custody. One of the bystanders [Peter] drew his sword and struck the High Priest’s slave, cutting off his ear. Jesus said to them, “As if against a thief, have you come out with swords and clubs to seize Me? I was with you daily, teaching in the Temple, but you did not arrest Me. But these things must happen in order that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.” Everyone forsook Him and fled. There was a young man who had been following Him, wearing only a linen cloth; and they seized him. He left the cloth and ran away naked. {14:52}
As they led Jesus to the High Priest, all the Chief Priests, elders, and scribes went along. From afar Peter followed into the courtyard of the High Priest. He sat with the servants, warming himself by the fire.
The Chief Priests and all the Council sought to find testimony to put Jesus to death, but they found none. There were many false witnesses against Him, but their testimony was contradictory. Certain ones stood up, and testified falsely against Him, saying, “We heard him saying, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with hands, and after three days I will build another not made with hands.'” So, their testimony was inconsistent.
Then the High Priest arose in their midst, and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer anything that these have witnessed against you?” He remained silent and did not answer anything. The High Priest again asked, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” Then Jesus responded, “I AM! And you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven [Dan.7:13f].” The High Priest tore his clothes and cried, saying, “What further need do we have for witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What is your verdict?” They condemned Him as deserving death. Some began to spit on Jesus, to cover His face, to beat Him, and to say, “Prophesy!” The guards received Him with blows. {14:65}
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the High Priest’s servant-girls came. She saw Peter warming himself, looked straight at him, and said, “You were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” Peter denied this, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are saying.” He went out to the forecourt, and a rooster crowed.
The servant-girl looked at him, and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” He again denied. After a short time, the bystanders said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know this man whom you mention.” Immediately the rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered what Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” He reflected on it and began to weep. {14:72}
Immediately, early in the morning, the Chief Priests made plans with the elders and scribes and all of the Council; and they bound Jesus and delivered Him to Pilate. Pilate asked Him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “You are speaking.” [“Yes, it is as you say.”] The Chief Priests were making many accusations. Pilate again spoke to Jesus, “Do you make no answer? Behold! Consider how many things they are charging against You.” Jesus still said nothing, so that Pilate was astonished.
At each festival he customarily released to them one prisoner whom they chose. Now, there was one named Barabbas, having been captured, among the seditionist, in which murder has been committed. The crowd rose-up and demanded that Pilate would follow his custom. He replied, “Do you want me to release the king of the Jews?” (He knew that the chief priests had delivered him because they were envious.) The chief priests stirred up the crowd to demand rather that he release Barabbas to them. Pilate again asked them, “What then shall I do with the one you call the king of the Jews?” They again cried, “Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “What evil has he done?” But they cried the more, “Crucify him.” Pilate, wanting to please the people, released Barabbas. He had Jesus flogged and delivered him to be crucified. {15:15}
The soldiers brought Jesus to the courtyard of their headquarters and called together their whole regiment. They clothed Him with purple and put on
Him a woven thorny crown. They began to greet Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They were beating Him on the head with a reed, and spitting on Him; kneeling, they worshipped Him. After they mocked Him, they removed the purple robe from Him, and put His own clothes back on Him.
They led Him out to crucify Him, and forced a passerby, a certain Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry His cross. They brought Him to Golgotha, which means “The Place of a Skull.” They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He refused. They crucified Him and divided His clothes, [Ps22:18] casting lots to see what each would receive. It was nine o’clock, and they crucified Him. An inscription was written, “The King of the Jews.” {15:26}
Two rebels were crucified with Him, one at His right hand and one at His left. And those walking by were reviling Him, shaking their heads, and saying, “Aha! The One who destroys the Temple and builds it in three days, save yourself! And come down from the cross!” Likewise, the Chief Priests were ridiculing Him among themselves with the scribes, saying, “He saved others, but cannot save Himself! The Christ, the King of Israel, must come down from the cross, now, that we may see and believe!” Also, the ones crucified with Him were insulting him. {15:32}
At noon darkness came on all the Earth until three o’clock. At three o’clock Jesus cried loudly, “Eloi! Eloi! Lema sabachthani” (which means, “My God! My God! Why have you forsaken Me?”). [Ps.22:1] Some of the bystanders heard Him and said, “Behold! He calls Elijah!” Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, “Leave Him alone! Let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.” Jesus cried with a loud voice and died. {15:37}
The veil of the Temple was split in two from the top to the bottom. The centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw how He died, and said, “Truly, this man was a son of God.” Among the women watching from a distance were Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of Joseph and of James (the younger), and Salome. These had been with Him in Galilee, following Him and serving Him; and many other women were there who had come up with Him to Jerusalem. {15:41}
At evening, since it was the Preparation (the day before the Sabbath), Joseph of Arimathea (a prominent counselor who was waiting for God’s Kingdom) dared to go to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. However, Pilate marveled if He had already died, and he had summoned a centurion and asked if He were already dead. After he learned from the centurion, he granted the corpse to Joseph. He bought a linen cloth, took him down, wrapped him in the cloth, and placed him in a tomb that was cut in the rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Joseph, were watching where He was placed. {15:47}
(7th) After the Sabbath was past Mary of Magdala and Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought perfume that they might come and anoint him. They went to the tomb (very early) on Sunday morning, after the sun had arisen. They were asking among themselves, “Who will roll the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” As they looked up, they saw that the stone (which was extremely large) had been rolled away. They entered and saw a young man sitting on the right side, wearing a white robe, and they were alarmed. He said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here! Behold, the place where they laid him! Now go to His disciples and Peter, and say, “He goes before you to Galilee. You will see Him there, even as He told you.” They went outside and ran from the tomb trembling in astonishment; they said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. {16:8}
Jesus arose early on Sunday morning and appeared first to Mary of Magdala (from whom He had cast out seven demons). She went and reported to those who had been with Him, who were mourning and crying. They heard that He was alive, and that she had seen Him, but they did not believe [trust her]. {16:11}
After these things, He appeared to two of them in another form as they were walking, going into the country. These went and announced this to the rest, but they did not trust them. Later He appeared to the Eleven and rebuked them for their unbelief and stubbornness of heart, because they did not believe the ones who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “As you are going into all the world, you MUST proclaim the Good News to every creature. He who has trusted, then has allowed himself to be immersed, he (sing.) will be saved, but he (sing.) who has not trusted [believed] will be condemned. {16:16}
And the ones [of you] who believed, these signs shall follow: they will cast out demons in My name; speak with new tongues; take up snakes; drink anything deadly without harm; and lay hands on the sick and they will recover.” {16:18}
After the Lord had spoken, He was received into heaven and sat at God’s right hand. They went out and proclaimed everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Message by the signs that were following.