The New Testament Part 16

2 [19:41]And when he came near and saw the city he wept over it, [19:42] saying, O, that you had known, even you, and indeed in this your day, the things which are for your peace! But now they are hid from your eyes. [19:43]For days of [trouble] will come upon you, and your enemies shall throw an embankment around you, and shut you in, and press you on every side, [19:44]and destroy you and your children with you, and not leave stone upon stone in you; because you knew not the time of your visitation.

3 [19:45]And going into the temple he cast out those that sold, [19:46]saying to them, it is written, My house shall be a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers.

CHAPTER XXVI.

CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE REPLYING TO THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES.

1 [19:47]AND he taught daily in the temple; and the chief priests, and scribes, and the first of the people sought to destroy him. [19:48]And they found nothing that they could do; for all the people were attentive to hear him. [20:1]And on one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and scribes, with the elders, came upon him, [20:2]and spoke to him saying, Tell us by what authority you do these things? and who gave you this authority? [20:3]And he answered and said to them, I also will ask you a question; and tell me, [20:4]Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? [20:5]And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we say, From heaven, he will say, Why 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 is a prophet. [20:7]And they answered, They did not know whence. [20:8]And Jesus said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

2 [20:9]And he spoke to the people this parable; A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went abroad for a long time. [20:10]And at the time he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard; and the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. [20:11] And again he sent another servant; and they beat him, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. [20:12]And again he sent a third; and they wounded him, and cast him out. [20:13]And the lord of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; doubtless, when they see him they will respect him. [20:14]But seeing him, the husbandmen reasoned with themselves, saying, This is the heir; let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. [20:15]And they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What, therefore, will the lord of the vineyard do to them? [20:16]He will come and destroy those husbandmen, and let the vineyard to others. And hearing this, they said, By no means.

[20:17]And he looked at them and said, What, then, is this which is written? The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of a corner; [20:18]every one that falls on that stone shall be bruised; but on whomsoever it shall fall it shall crush him to atoms. [20:19]And the scribes and chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that time; and they feared the people; for they knew that he spoke this parable to them.

3 [20:20]And they sent spies to watch him, who pretended to be righteous men, that they might take advantage of his speech, to deliver him to the power and authority of the procurator. [20:21]And they asked him saying, Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly, and respect no person, but teach the way of G.o.d in truth. [20:22]Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to Caesar, or not? [20:23]And perceiving their craftiness, he said to them, [20:24]Show me a denarius [14 cents]. Whose figure and inscription has it? And they answered and said, Caesar's. [20:25]And he said to them, Render therefore Caesar's dues to Caesar, and G.o.d's to G.o.d. [20:26]And they were not able to take advantage of his word before the people; and they wondered at his answer, and were silent.

4 [20:27]And some of the Sadducees came forward, who deny that there is a resurrection, and asked him, [20:28]saying, Teacher, Moses wrote to us, that if one's brother dies, having a wife, and dies childless, his brother shall take his wife and raise up children for his brother.

[20:29]There were, therefore, seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died childless; [20:30]and the second and third took her; [20:31]and in like manner also the seven; [and they] left no children, and died. [20:32]And last, the woman died also. [20:33]In the resurrection, therefore, which of them has her for a wife? for the seven had her for a wife. [20:34]And Jesus said to them, The children of this life marry and are married; [20:35]but those who are judged worthy to attain that life, and the resurrection of the dead, neither marry nor are married; [20:36]neither can they die any more; for they are equal to the angels, and are sons of G.o.d, being sons of the resurrection. [20:37]But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord, The G.o.d of Abraham, and G.o.d of Isaac, and G.o.d of Jacob. [20:38]But G.o.d is not [a G.o.d] of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him. [20:39]And some of the scribes answered and said, Teacher, you have spoken well. [20:40]And they dared not question him any more.

5 [20:41]And he said to them, How do they say that the Christ is the son of David? [20:42]And David himself says in the book of Psalms, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on my right hand, [20:43]till I make your enemies your footstool. [20:44]David, therefore, calls him Lord; and how is he his son?

6 [20:45]And in the hearing of all the people he said to them, [20:46]Beware of the scribes, who delight to walk in long robes, and love salutations in the markets, and the first seats in the synagogues, and the first places at feasts; [20:47]who devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; they shall receive a greater judgment.

7 [21:1]And looking up he saw the rich casting their gifts into the treasury. [21:2]And he saw also a certain poor widow cast in there two lepta [4 mills]. [21:3]And he said, I tell you truly, that this poor widow has cast in more than all; [21:4]for all these have cast among the gifts from their abundance; but she from her want has cast in all the living she had.

CHAPTER XXVII.

CHRIST PREDICTING THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM AND HIS OWN EXALTATION.

1 [21:5]AND some speaking of the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive offerings, he said, [21:6]As to these things which you see, the days will come in which stone shall not be left upon stone that shall not be thrown down. [21:7]And they asked him, saying, Teacher, when then shall these things be? and what sign [shall there be], when these things are about to occur? [21:8]And he said, See that you be not deceived; for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ], and the time is at hand; go not after them.

[21:9] And when you hear of wars and insurrections, be not terrified, for these things must be first; but the end is not immediately.

2 [21:10]Then said he to them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; [21:11]and in places there shall be great earthquakes, and famines, and pestilences; and there shall also be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. [21:12]But before all these things they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, committing you to synagogues and prisons, to be brought before kings and governors on my account; [21:13]and it shall result to you for a testimony.

[21:14]Settle it in your minds, therefore, not to premeditate what defense you shall make, [21:15]for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your enemies shall not be able to resist or dispute.

[21:16]And you shall be delivered up by parents, and brothers, and relatives, and friends; and they shall kill some of you; [21:17]and you shall be hated by all on my account; [21:18]and a hair of your heads shall by no means perish; [21:19]by your patience you shall save your souls.

3 [21:20]But when you see Jerusalem surrounded with encampments, then know that its desolation is at hand. [21:21]Then let those in Judea flee to the mountains; and those in the midst of it depart out of it; and let those in country places not enter into it. [21:22]For these are days of judgment, that all things which are written may be fully accomplished. [21:23]But woe to those with child, and having children at the breast in those days; for there shall be great distress on the earth, and wrath against this people. [21:24]And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and be carried away captive to all nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by gentiles, till the times of gentiles are fully accomplished.

4 [21:25]And there shall be signs in the sun, and moon, and stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity [at] the roaring of the sea and waves, [21:26]men dying with fear and an expectation of evils to come on the world; for the hosts of the heavens shall be shaken. [21:27]And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [21:28]When these things begin to occur, arise and lift up your heads, for your redemption is near.

5 [21:29]And he spoke to them a parable; See the fig tree and all the trees; [21:30]when they now put forth, observing you know of yourselves that summer already is nigh; [21:31]so, also, when you see all these things occur, know that the kingdom of G.o.d is nigh. [21:32]I tell you truly, that this generation shall by no means pa.s.s away till all these things are accomplished. [21:33] Heaven and earth shall pa.s.s away, but my words shall not pa.s.s away. [21:34]Take heed to yourselves, that your hearts be not oppressed with revelling and drunkenness, and worldly cares, and that day come upon you suddenly; [21:35]for it shall come like a snare on all who live on the face of the whole earth.

[21:36]But watch continually, praying that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things which are about to occur, and to stand before the Son of man.

6 [21:37]And he taught during the days in the temple, and went out and spent the nights on the mountain called the Mount of Olives. [21:38]And all the people came early to him in the temple to hear him.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

JUDAS AGREES TO BETRAY HIS MASTER, THE LAST SUPPER, AMBITION DISCOURAGED, THE DISCIPLES WARNED.

1 [22:1]AND the feast of unleavened bread approached, called the pa.s.sover. [22:2]And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might destroy him, for they feared the people. [22:3]And Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve; [22:4]and he went and conferred with the chief priests and commanders as to how he might deliver him to them. [22:5]And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. [22:6]And he promised, and sought a convenient opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the people.

2 [22:7]And the day of unleavened bread came, in which it was necessary to kill the paschal lamb. [22:8]And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go, prepare for us the pa.s.sover, that we may eat. [22:9]And they said to him, Where do you wish us to prepare? [22:10]And he said to them, Behold, as you enter into the city, a man will meet you, bearing an earthen vessel of water; follow him into the house where he enters, [22:11]and say to the master of the house, The teacher says to you, where is the public room in which I may eat the pa.s.sover with my disciples? [22:12]And he will show you a large upper room furnished; there prepare. [22:13]And they went and found as he had said to them and prepared the pa.s.sover.

3 [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 greatly desired to eat this pa.s.sover with you before I suffer; [22:16]for I tell you that I will eat it no more till it is fulfilled in the kingdom of G.o.d. [22:17]And taking a cup, he gave thanks, and said, Take this and divide it among you; [22:18]for I tell you that I will not drink of the product of the vine, till the kingdom of G.o.d has come. [22:19] And taking bread, and giving thanks, he broke and gave them, saying, This is my body given for you; this do in remembrance of me. [22:20]And the cup in like manner, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant [sealed]

with my blood, which is poured out for you. [22:21]But behold, the hand of the traitor is with me on the table; [22:22]for the Son of man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.

[22:23]And they inquired among themselves which of them it was who was about to do this.

4 [22:24]And there was a contention among them as to which of them should be the greatest. [22:25]And he said to them, The kings of the nations exercise lordship over them; and those having power are called their benefactors. [22:26] But you shall not be so. But let the greater among you be as the younger, and the chief as he that serves.

[22:27]For which is greater, he that reclines, or he that serves? Is not he that reclines? But I am with you as he that serves. [22:28]And you have continued with me in my trials, [22:29]and I appoint you, as my Father has appointed me, a kingdom, [22:30]that you may eat and drink at my table, in my kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

5 [22:31]Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired you, to sift like wheat; [22:32]but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not entirely fail; and when you recover yourself, confirm your brothers.

[22:33]And he said to him, Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death. [22:34]And he said, I tell you, Peter, a c.o.c.k shall not crow today, before you shall deny thrice that you know me.

6 [22:35]And he said to them, When I sent you out without a purse, and provision sack, and sandals, did you want any thing? And they said, Nothing. [22:36]Then he said to them, But now let him that has a purse take it, and a provision sack likewise; and he that has not a sword, let him sell his cloak and buy one. [22:37]For I tell you, that this which is written must be fully accomplished in me, And he was numbered with transgressors; for also the things concerning me have an end.

[22:38]And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said to them, It is sufficient.

CHAPTER XXIX.

CHRIST IN GETHSEMANE AND BEFORE THE SANHEDRIM.

1 [22:39]AND going out, he went, according to his custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. [22:40]And arriving at the place, he said to them, Pray that you may not enter into trial.

[22:41]And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and kneeling down, prayed, [22:42]saying, Father, if thou wilt, take this cup away from me; but not my will, but thine be done. [22:43]And an angel appeared to him from heaven, strengthening him. [22:44]And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was like large drops of blood falling down to the ground. [22:45]And rising from prayer, and coming to the disciples, he found them sleeping from grief, [22:46]and he said to them, Why do you sleep? Arise, and pray that you may not enter into trial.

2 [22:47]And while he was yet speaking, behold a mult.i.tude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, came before them, and he approached Jesus to kiss him. [22:48]But Jesus said to him, Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss? [22:49]And those about him seeing what was about to occur, said, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? [22:50]And one of them struck the servant of the chief priest, and took off his right ear. [22:51]But Jesus answered and said, Suffer even this; and touching his ear he healed him. [22:52]And Jesus said to the chief priests, and commanders of the temple, and elders who came against him, Have you come with swords and clubs, as against a robber?

[22:53] When I was daily with you in the temple you stretched not out your hands upon me but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

3 [22:54]And apprehending him, they led him away, and conducted him to the house of the chief priest; and Peter followed at a distance.

[22:55]And they having kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and sat down, Peter sat in the midst of them. [22:56]And a certain female servant seeing him sitting by the light, and looking steadily at him, said, This man also was with him. [22:57] But he denied him, saying, I do not know him, woman. [22:58]And after a little, another seeing him, said, You also are one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not.

[22:59]And about an hour intervening, another strongly affirmed, saying, Certainly, this man was also with him; for he is also a Galilean. [22:60]But Peter said, Man, I know not what you say. And immediately, while he was yet speaking, a c.o.c.k crew. [22:61]And the Lord turned and looked at Peter; and Peter was reminded of the Lord's word, that he said to him, Before a c.o.c.k crows to-day you shall deny me thrice; [22:62]and going out, Peter wept bitterly.

4 [22:63]And the men having him in custody mocked him, beating him; [22:64]and blindfolding him they asked him, saying, Prophecy who it is that struck you? [22:65]And they reviled him with many other words.

5 [22:66]And when it was day, the eldership of the people, and the chief priests, and scribes were a.s.sembled, and they brought him into their sanhedrim, saying, [22:67]If you are the Christ, tell us? And he said to them, If I tell you you will not believe; [22:68]and if I ask you will not answer. [22:69]But from this time the Son of man will sit on the right hand of the power of G.o.d. [22:70]And they all said, Are you the Son of G.o.d then? And he said to them, I am as you say.

[22:71]And they said, What further need have we of testimony? for we ourselves have heard from his mouth.

CHAPTER x.x.x.

CHRIST BEFORE PILATE AND HEROD, HIS CONDEMNATION.

1 [23:1]AND all the mult.i.tude arose and led him to Pilate. [23:2]And they accused him, saying, We have found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to pay tribute to Caesar, saying that he is an anointed king. [23:3] And Pilate asked him, saying, Are you the king of the Jews? And he answered and said to him, As you say. [23:4]And Pilate said to the chief priests, and the mult.i.tudes, I find no fault with this man. [23:5]And they were more violent, saying, He excites the people, teaching in all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place. [23:6]And Pilate hearing of Galilee asked if the man was a Galilean. [23:7]And learning that he was of the province of Herod, he sent him to Herod, who was himself also at Jerusalem in those days.