Daily Text and Bible Reading: Saturday, November 8 [Press play below]

Chapter 20

20.1 On one of the days while he was teaching the people in the temple and declaring the good news, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came

20.2 and said to him: “Tell us, by what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you this authority?”

20.3 He replied to them: “I will also ask you a question, and you tell me:

20.4 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?”

20.5 Then they drew conclusions among themselves, saying: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’

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

20.7 So they replied that they did not know its source.

20.8 Jesus said to them: “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.”

20.9 Then he began to tell the people this illustration: “A man planted a vineyard and leased it to cultivators, and he traveled abroad for a considerable time.

20.10 In due season he sent a slave to the cultivators so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. The cultivators, however, sent him away empty-handed, after beating him.

20.11 But again he sent another slave. That one also they beat and humiliated and sent away empty-handed.

20.12 Yet again he sent a third; this one also they wounded and threw out.

20.13 At this the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What should I do? I will send my son, the beloved. They will likely respect this one.’

20.14 When the cultivators caught sight of him, they reasoned with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him so that the inheritance may become ours.’

20.15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do to them?

20.16 He will come and kill these cultivators and will give the vineyard to others.” On hearing this, they said: “Never may that happen!”

20.17 But he looked straight at them and said: “What, then, does this mean where it is written: ‘The stone that the builders rejected, this has become the chief cornerstone’?

20.18 Everyone falling on that stone will be shattered. As for anyone on whom it falls, it will crush him.”

20.19 The scribes and the chief priests then sought to get their hands on him in that very hour, but they feared the people, for they realized that he told this illustration with them in mind.

20.20 And after observing him closely, they sent men whom they had secretly hired to pretend that they were righteous in order to catch him in his speech, so as to turn him over to the government and to the authority of the governor.

20.21 And they questioned him, saying: “Teacher, we know you speak and teach correctly and show no partiality, but you teach the way of God in line with truth:

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

20.23 But he detected their cunning and said to them:

20.24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” They said: “Caesar’s.”

20.25 He said to them: “By all means, then, pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar but God’s things to God.”

20.26 Well, they were not able to trap him in his speech before the people, but amazed at his answer, they became silent.

20.27 However, some of the Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came and asked him:

20.28 “Teacher, Moses wrote us, ‘If a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife, but he was childless, his brother should take the wife and raise up offspring for his brother.’

20.29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife but died childless.

20.30 So the second

20.31 and the third married her. Likewise even all seven; they died and left no children.

20.32 Finally the woman also died.

20.33 Consequently, in the resurrection, whose wife will she become? For the seven had her as a wife.”

20.34 Jesus said to them: “The children of this system of things marry and are given in marriage,

20.35 but those who have been counted worthy of gaining that system of things and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.

20.36 In fact, neither can they die anymore, for they are like the angels, and they are God’s children by being children of the resurrection.

20.37 But that the dead are raised up, even Moses made known in the account about the thornbush, when he calls Jehovah ‘the God of Abraham and God of Isaac and God of Jacob.’

20.38 He is a God, not of the dead, but of the living, for they are all living to him.”

20.39 In response some of the scribes said: “Teacher, you spoke well.”

20.40 For they no longer had the courage to ask him a single question.

20.41 In turn he asked them: “How is it they say that the Christ is David’s son?

20.42 For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘Jehovah said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand

20.43 until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.”’

20.44 David, therefore, calls him Lord; so how is he his son?”

20.45 Then, while all the people were listening, he said to his disciples:

20.46 “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in robes and who love greetings in the marketplaces and front seats in the synagogues and the most prominent places at evening meals,

20.47 and who devour the houses of the widows and for show make long prayers. These will receive a more severe judgment.”

Chapter 21

21.1 Now as he looked up, he saw the rich dropping their gifts into the treasury chests.

21.2 Then he saw a needy widow drop in two small coins of very little value,

21.3 and he said: “Truly I say to you that this poor widow put in more than they all did.

21.4 For all of these put in gifts out of their surplus, but she, out of her want, put in all the means of living she had.”

21.5 Later, when some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with fine stones and dedicated things,

21.6 he said: “As for these things that you now see, the days will come when not a stone will be left upon a stone and not be thrown down.”

21.7 Then they questioned him, saying: “Teacher, when will these things actually be, and what will be the sign when these things are to occur?”

21.8 He said: “Look out that you are not misled, for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The due time is near.’ Do not go after them.

21.9 Furthermore, when you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified. For these things must take place first, but the end will not occur immediately.”

21.10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

21.11 There will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another food shortages and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and from heaven great signs.

21.12 “But before all these things happen, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors for the sake of my name.

21.13 It will result in your giving a witness.

21.14 Therefore, resolve in your hearts not to rehearse beforehand how to make your defense,

21.15 for I will give you words and wisdom that all your opposers together will not be able to resist or dispute.

21.16 Moreover, you will be handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death,

21.17 and you will be hated by all people because of my name.

21.18 But not even a hair of your heads will perish.

21.19 By your endurance you will preserve your lives.

21.20 “However, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near.

21.21 Then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains, let those in the midst of her leave, and let those in the countryside not enter into her,

21.22 because these are days for meting out justice in order that all the things written may be fulfilled.

21.23 Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! For there will be great distress on the land and wrath against this people.

21.24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled.

21.25 “Also, there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation.

21.26 People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

21.27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

21.28 But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.”

21.29 With that he told them an illustration: “Notice the fig tree and all the other trees.

21.30 When they are budding, you see it for yourselves and know that now the summer is near.

21.31 Likewise also you, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.

21.32 Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all things happen.

21.33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.

21.34 “But pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you

21.35 as a snare. For it will come upon all those dwelling on the face of the whole earth.

21.36 Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that must occur and in standing before the Son of man.”

21.37 So by day he would be teaching in the temple, but by night he would go out and lodge on the mountain called the Mount of Olives.

21.38 And all the people would come to him early in the morning to hear him in the temple.

Chapter 22

22.1 Now the Festival of the Unleavened Bread, which is called Passover, was getting near.

22.2 And the chief priests and the scribes were looking for an effective way to get rid of him, because they were afraid of the people.

22.3 Then Satan entered into Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was numbered among the Twelve,

22.4 and he went off and talked with the chief priests and temple captains about how to betray him to them.

22.5 They were delighted at this and agreed to give him silver money.

22.6 So he consented and began looking for a good opportunity to betray him to them without a crowd around.

22.7 The day of the Unleavened Bread now arrived, on which the Passover sacrifice must be offered;

22.8 so Jesus sent Peter and John, saying: “Go and get the Passover ready for us to eat.”

22.9 They said to him: “Where do you want us to get it ready?”

22.10 He said to them: “Look! When you enter into the city, a man carrying an earthenware water jar will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters.

22.11 And say to the landlord of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you: “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’

22.12 And that man will show you a large, furnished upper room. Get it ready there.”

22.13 So they left and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared for the Passover.

22.14 So when the hour came, he reclined at the table along with the apostles.

22.15 And he said to them: “I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;

22.16 for I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”

22.17 And accepting a cup, he gave thanks and said: “Take this and pass it from one to the other among yourselves,

22.18 for I tell you, from now on, I will not drink again from the product of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes.”

22.19 Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: “This means my body, which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”

22.20 Also, he did the same with the cup after they had the evening meal, saying: “This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in your behalf.

22.21 “But look! the hand of my betrayer is with me at the table.

22.22 For, indeed, the Son of man is going his way according to what has been determined; all the same, woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!”

22.23 So they began to discuss among themselves which one of them could really be about to do this.

22.24 However, there also arose a heated dispute among them over which one of them was considered to be the greatest.

22.25 But he said to them: “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over them are called Benefactors.

22.26 You, though, are not to be that way. But let the one who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the one taking the lead as the one ministering.

22.27 For which one is greater, the one dining or the one serving? Is it not the one dining? But I am among you as the one serving.

22.28 “However, you are the ones who have stuck with me in my trials;

22.29 and I make a covenant with you, just as my Father has made a covenant with me, for a kingdom,

22.30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom, and sit on thrones to judge the 12 tribes of Israel.

22.31 “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has demanded to have all of you to sift you as wheat.

22.32 But I have made supplication for you that your faith may not give out; and you, once you have returned, strengthen your brothers.”

22.33 Then he said to him: “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”

22.34 But he said: “I tell you, Peter, a rooster will not crow today until you have denied knowing me three times.”

22.35 He also said to them: “When I sent you out without a money bag and a food pouch and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said: “No!”

22.36 Then he said to them: “But now let the one who has a money bag take it, likewise a food pouch, and let the one who has no sword sell his outer garment and buy one.

22.37 For I tell you that what is written must be accomplished in me, namely, ‘He was counted with lawless ones.’ For this is being fulfilled concerning me.”

22.38 Then they said: “Lord, look! here are two swords.” He said to them: “It is enough.”

22.39 On leaving, he went as was his custom to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples also followed him.

22.40 On arriving at the place, he said to them: “Carry on prayer so that you do not enter into temptation.”

22.41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw away, and he bent his knees and began to pray,

22.42 saying: “Father, if you want to, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, let, not my will, but yours take place.”

22.43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

22.44 But he was in such agony that he kept praying more earnestly; and his sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground.

22.45 When he rose from prayer and went to the disciples, he found them slumbering, exhausted from grief.

22.46 He said to them: “Why are you sleeping? Get up and keep praying, so that you do not enter into temptation.”

22.47 While he was still speaking, look! a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them, and he approached Jesus to kiss him.

22.48 But Jesus said to him: “Judas, are you betraying the Son of man with a kiss?”

22.49 When those around him saw what was going to happen, they said: “Lord, should we strike with the sword?”

22.50 One of them even struck the slave of the high priest, taking off his right ear.

22.51 But in reply Jesus said: “That is enough.” And he touched the ear and healed him.

22.52 Jesus then said to the chief priests and captains of the temple and elders who had come there for him: “Did you come out with swords and clubs as against a robber?

22.53 While I was with you in the temple day after day, you did not lay your hands on me. But this is your hour and the authority of darkness.”

22.54 Then they arrested him and led him off, and they brought him into the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance.

22.55 When they lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter was sitting among them.

22.56 But a servant girl, seeing him sitting in the light of the fire, looked closely at him and said: “This man was also with him.”

22.57 But he denied it, saying: “I do not know him, woman.”

22.58 After a short time another person saw him and said: “You too are one of them.” But Peter said: “Man, I am not.”

22.59 And after about an hour had passed, another man began insisting strongly: “Certainly this man was also with him, for he is, in fact, a Galilean!”

22.60 But Peter said: “Man, I do not know what you are saying.” And instantly, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.

22.61 At this the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter recalled the statement of the Lord when he had said to him: “Before a rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”

22.62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

22.63 Now the men who held Jesus in custody began to mock him, hitting him;

22.64 and after covering his face, they kept asking: “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?”

22.65 And they said many other blasphemous things against him.

22.66 And when it became day, the assembly of elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they led him into their Sanhedrin hall and said:

22.67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them: “Even if I told you, you would not believe it at all.

22.68 Moreover, if I questioned you, you would not answer.

22.69 However, from now on the Son of man will be seated at the powerful right hand of God.”

22.70 At this they all said: “Are you, therefore, the Son of God?” He said to them: “You yourselves are saying that I am.”

22.71 They said: “Why do we need further testimony? For we ourselves have heard it out of his own mouth.”