THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 

Introductory note from Sabidius:

The translation below follows the structure and utilises many of the headings, which are set out in the translation of Matthew's Gospel in the "New Jerusalem Bible", published in 1994. As is explained in more detail in the introduction to the Synoptic Gospels contained in that work, Matthew's Gospel is divided into five books, each one consisting of a discourse introduced by a narrative section; these five books, plus accounts of Jesus' infancy at the beginning and his passion and resurrection at the end, constitute a clear structure of seven sections, which may have been inherited from the Aramaic gospel which many believe was its predecessor. Matthew's Gospel is significant in setting out, much more fully than its companion Mark's Gospel, the teachings of Jesus (see, for instance, the Sermon on the Mount in Chapters 5-7) and in its underlying emphasis on the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Matthew's Gospel is also the most 'semitic' of the four gospels: it not only gives much detail about Jewish observances, but it emphasises that the new law of Jesus is a fulfilment of the old Law, not its replacement (see Ch. 5, 17-19). To that extent, Matthew's Gospel is the one which addresses most firmly the importance of converting Jews to the new sect. At the same time, however, Matthew is very specific in holding the Jews responsible for Jesus' death (see, for instance, Ch. 28, 22-25), and these quotations have for centuries provided an apparent justification for the appalling persecution of Jewish people which has so stained the centuries that were to follow. 

Readers wishing to consider how Matthew's Gospel relates to the other Synoptic Gospels with regard to its authorship and timing, are referred to the introduction to my earlier translation of the St. Mark's Gospel (see the item dated 22nd December 2017 on this blog.)     

As many will be aware, Matthew's Gospel, in company with the other Gospels, and much of the New Testament, contains allusions to the Old Testament (OT), and indeed the extent to which Jesus actually fulfilled OT prophecies, and how far his history was rewritten in order to meet expectations of the Messiah, is a constant source of argument between believers and sceptics. In the translation below I have put into italics verses where there is a clear allusion to a passage from the OT and have then indicated in brackets what that passage is; where the allusion involves an actual quotation I have also put that into bold type.

I. THE BIRTH AND INFANCY OF JESUS (Chs. 1 & 2).

Chapter 1. 

The Ancestry of Jesus (vv. 1-17).

1) (This is) the record of the lineage of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham. 

2) Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob; Jacob begat Judah and his brothers; 3) Judah begat Perez and Zerah by Tamar; Perez begat Hezron, and Hezron begat Ram; 4) Ram begat Amminadab, and  Amminadab begat Nahshon; Nahshon begat Salmon, 5) and Salmon begat Boaz by Rahab; Boaz begat Obed by Ruth, and Obed begat Jesse, 6) and Jesse begat David the king.

David begat Solomon by the (wife) of Uriah; 7) Solomon begat Rehoboam, and Rehoboam begat Abijah; Abijah begat Asa, 8) and Asa begat Jehosaphat; Jehosaphat begat Jehoram, and Jehoram begat Uzziah; 9) Uzziah begat Jotham, and Jotham begat Ahaz; Ahaz begat Hezekiah, 10) and Hezekiah begat Manasseh; Manasseh begat Amon, and Amon begat Josiah; 11) Josiah begat Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the deportation to Babylon. (vid. 2 Kings 24.12-16; 2 Chronicles 36.10; Jeremiah 27.20)

12) After the deportation to Babylon, Jeconiah begat Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begat Zerubbabel; 13) Zerubbabel begat Abioud, and Abioud begat Eliakim; Eliakim begat Azor, 14) and Azor begat Zadok; Zadok begat Achim, and Achim begat Eliud; 15) Eliud begat Matthan, and Matthan begat Jacob; 16) Jacob begat Joseph. the husband of Mary, from whom Jesus was born, the (one who is) called Christ. 

17) So, all the generations from Abraham to David (number) fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. 

The Birth of Jesus (vv. 18-25).

18) Now, the birth of Jesus Christ was like this. His mother Mary having been promised in marriage to Joseph, she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit, before they came together. 19) Her husband Joseph, being a righteous (man) and not willing to make a public spectacle of her, intended to send her away in secret. 20) But, when he thought about these (things), behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take your wife Mary home, for what has been begotten in her is due to the Holy Spirit; 21) she will give birth to a son, and you will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22) Now, this  whole (thing) has happened, in order that that which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, 23)"Behold, the virgin will become pregnant and will give birth to a son, and they will call his name Emmanuel," (vid. Isaiah. 7.14) which means, when translated "God (is) with us." (vid. Isaiah 8.10) 24) Rising from his sleep, Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took his wife home; 25) and he did not have intercourse with her until she gave birth to a son; and he called his name Jesus.

Chapter 2. 

The Visit of the Magi (vv. 1-12).

1) After Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise (men) came from eastern (parts) to Jerusalem, saying, 2) "Where is (he) who (was) born king of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to do him obeisance." 3) When Herod the king heard (this), he was troubled and all of Jerusalem with him, 4) and, having gathered together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he began to ask (them) where the Christ would be born. 5) They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judaea; for thus it has been written by the prophet: 6) "And you, (O) Bethlehem of the land of Judaea, are by no means the least among the leading (cities) of Judah; for from you there shall come forth a governor, who will shepherd my people Israel." (vid. Micah 5.2) 

7) Then, Herod secretly summoned the wise (men), and from them he learned the exact time of the star's appearance, 8) and he sent them to Bethlehem, and said: "Go and search carefully for the child; then, when you have found (him), report back to me, so that I too may go and pay homage to him." 9) Having heard the king, they went on their way, and, behold the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood above (the place) where the child was. 10) When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11) And when came into the house, they saw the infant with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him, and, having opened their treasures, they presented their gifts to him, gold, and frankincense and myrrh; (vid. Psalms 72.10-11,15; Isaiah 60.6) 12) and, having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.  

The Flight into Egypt (vv. 13-15).

13) Now, when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Get up, and take the child and his mother and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod intends to search for the child in order to destroy him." 14) So, he arose and took the child and his mother during the night, and departed into Egypt, and there he stayed until the death of Herod; 15) (this was) so that there might be fulfilment of that which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called my son." (vid. Hosea 11.1) 

The Massacre of the Innocents (vv. 16-18).

16) Then, Herod, when he saw that he had been outwitted by the wise (men), became extremely angry, and sent out (instructions) to kill all the boys who (lived) in Bethlehem and all its (surrounding) districts of two years and under, in accordance with the exact time which he had learned from the wise (men). 17) Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying: 18) "A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great lamentation; Rachel (is) weeping for her children and will not be comforted, because they are no (more)." (vid. Jeremiah 31.15) 

The Return from Egypt (vv. 19-23).

19) But, when Herod had died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20) saying: "Get up and take the child and his mother and go into the land of Israel, for those seeking the life of the child are dead.(vid. Exodus 4.19) 21) Then, he arose and took the child and his mother and came into the land of Israel. 22) But, when he heard that that Archelaus was king of Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there; having been warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee, 23) and came and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that it might be fulfilled what was spoken by the prophets, that he will be called a Nazarene. (vid. Judges 13.5,7; Isaiah 11.1, 53.2) 

II. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS ANNOUNCED.

A. NARRATIVE SECTION (Chs. 3 &4). 

Chapter 3. 

The Proclamation of John the Baptist (vv. 1-12).

1) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2) saying: "Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand." 3) For this is (the one) who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.' " 4) Now, John himself had his clothing (made) from camel's hair and (had) a leather belt around his waist, (vid. 2 Kings 1.8) and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5) Then, (the people of) Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan went out to him, (6) and they were baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 

7) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to the baptism, he said to them: "(You) offspring of vipers, who told you to flee from the wrath that is coming? 8) So, produce fruit (that is) worthy of repentance; 9) now, do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham (as) a father,' for I say to you that God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10) Even now, the axe lies at the root of the trees; so, every tree that does not produce fine fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. 11) Now I baptise you in water to (effect) your repentance; but (he) who comes after me is stronger than I (am), (and) his shoes I am not worthy to take up; he himself will baptise you in the Holy Spirit and with fire; 12) his winnowing-shovel (is) in his hand, and he will clean out his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with inextinguishable fire."

Jesus is baptised (vv. 13-17).

13) Then, Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, in order to be baptised by him. 14) But he tried to prevent him, saying, "I have a need to be baptised by you, but you are coming to me, (are you)? 15) But in answer Jesus said to him, "Just allow (it), for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all (the requirements of) righteousness." Then, he allowed him (to do it). 16) When he had been baptised, Jesus came up out of the water immediately; and behold the heavens were opened up, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him; 17) and behold, a voice (came) from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." (vid. Genesis 22.2; Psalms 2.7; Isaiah 42.1) 

Chapter 4.

The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (vv. 1-11).

1) Then, Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the Devil. 2) Having fasted for forty days and forty nights, (vid. Exodus 34.28) afterwards he felt hungry. 3) And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the son of God, command that these stones should become loaves of bread. 4) "But he said in reply, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.' " (vid. Deuteronomy 8.3) 

5) Then, the Devil took him into the holy city (vid. Nehemiah 11.1; Isaiah 52.1) and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6) and said to him, "If you are the son of God, cast yourself down; for it is written that 'He shall give orders to his angels concerning you, and they shall lift you up in their arms, lest at any time you should dash your foot against a stone.' " (vid. Psalms 91, 11-12) 7) Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.' " (vid. Deuteronomy 6.16)  8) Again, the Devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, 9) and he said to him, "All of these things I will give to you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10) Then, Jesus said to him, "Go away from (me), Satan, for it is written, 'You should worship the Lord your God, and him only should you serve.' " (vid. Deuteronomy 6.13) 11) Then, the Devil left him, and behold, angels came and began to do him service. 

Jesus' return to Galilee (vv. 12-17).

12) Now, when he heard that John had been given up, he (i.e. Jesus) went back into Galilee. 13) And, leaving Nazareth, he came and settled in Capernaum, which (is) by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali;  14) (this was) so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15) "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali toward the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles, 16) the people that sat in darkness saw a great light, and to them that sat in the land and the shadow of death, to them has light arisen." (vid. Isaiah 9.1-2) 17) From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

The first four disciples are called (vv. 18-22).

18) As he was walking around by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who (is) called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen; 19) and he says to them, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20) And they immediately left their nets and followed him. 21) Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James, the (son) of Zebedee, and John, his brother, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22) Then, leaving the boat and their father at once, they followed him. 

Jesus proclaims his message to a great multitude, and heals the sick (vv. 23-25).

23) Now, he went around through the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24) And the report of him went out into all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick, and who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, those who were possessed with demons, and epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25) And great crowds (of people) from Galilee, and Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.  

B. THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (Chs. 5-7).

Chapter 5.

The Beatitudes (vv. 1-12).

1) Now, when he saw the crowds, he went up into the mountain; and, when he had sat down, his disciples came to him; 2) and he opened his mouth and began to teach them, saying: 

3) "Blessed (are) the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

4) "Blessed (are) they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (vid. Isaiah 61.2-3)

5) "Blessed (are) the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (vid. Psalms 37.11)

6) "Blessed (are) they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

7) "Blessed (are) the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. 

8) "Blessed (are) the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (vid. Psalms 24.3-4)

9) "Blessed (are) the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 

10) "Blessed (are) they who have been persecuted on account of righteousness, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 

11) "Blessed are you, when (people) reproach you and persecute (you), and say all (sorts of) evil (things) against you falsely for my sake; 12) rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great (is) your reward in heaven; for thus did they persecute the prophets (vid. 2 Chronicles 36.16) who (came) before you. 

The salt of the earth and the light of the world (vv. 13-16). 

13) "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its taste, with what will it (then) be salted? It is no longer good for anything, but to be cast outside and trampled on by men. 

14) "You are the light of the world. A city standing on the top of a hill cannot be hidden; 15) neither do (people) light a lamp and put in under a bushel (i.e. a measuring basket for grain), but on a lampstand, and it shines upon all those (who are) in the house. 16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father who (is) in heaven.  

The fulfilment of the Law (vv. 17-20).

17) "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law and the Prophets; I came not to destroy, but to fulfil (them); 18) For I tell you most assuredly, that, until heaven and earth shall pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law, until all (things) have been accomplished. 19) So, whoever shall break one of the least of these commandments, and teach men to do the same, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but (he) who shall keep (them) and teach (them), such a man will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20) For I tell you that, unless your righteousness shall extend further than (that) of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Teaching about Anger (vv. 21-26).

21) "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not murder;' (vid. Exodus 20.13; Deuteronomy 5.17) and whoever shall murder shall be liable to the judgment of a court of law. (vid. Exodus 21.12; Leviticus 24.17) 22) But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of this judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, '(You) numskull,' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say '(You) fool,' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna. 23) So, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24) leave your gift in front of the altar, and depart; first be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25) Come to an agreement with your adversary quickly, while you are in the way with him, lest perhaps your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the attendant, and you should be thrown into prison; 26) I tell you most assuredly that you will by no means get out of there, until you have paid your very last penny.   

Teaching about Adultery (vv. 27-30).

27) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' (vid. Exodus 20.14; Deuteronomy 5.18) 28) But I tell you that every (man) who gazes at a woman with a view to lusting after her has already committed adultery in his heart. 29) If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you, for it is beneficial for you that one of your members should be lost, so that the whole of your body should not be cast into Gehenna. 30) Also, if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw (it) away from you, for it is beneficial for you that one of your members should be lost, so that the whole of your body should not have to go to Gehenna. 

Teaching about Divorce (vv. 31-32).

31) "It was also said, 'Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' (vid. Deuteronomy 24.1) 32) But I tell you that every (man) who puts away his wife, except on account of fornication, makes her an adulteress, and whoever marries a woman who has been put away commits adultery.  

Teaching about Oaths (vv. 33-37). 

33) "Again you have heard that it was said to the (men) of old, 'You must not swear false oaths,' but 'You must fulfil your vows to the Lord,' (vid. Leviticus 19.12, Numbers 30.2; Deuteronomy 23.21). 34) But I tell you not to swear at all; and not by heaven, because it is the throne of God. (vid. Isaiah 66.1) 35) Nor by the earth, because it is the footstool for his feet; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great king; (vid. Psalms 48.2) 36) nor shall you swear by your head, for you cannot turn a single hair white or black. 37) But let your word 'Yes' mean yes, (and) 'No' no; and what is in excess of these (comes) from the evil (one). 

Teaching about Retaliation (vv. 38-42). 

38) "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,' (vid. Exodus 21. 24; Leviticus 24.20; Deuteronomy 19. 21) 39) But I say to you, do not resist the (man who is) wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40) And if any (man) wishes to sue you in a court of law and take away your tunic, give him your cloak also; 41) and whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two (miles). 42) Give to him who asks, and do not turn away him who wants to borrow from you. 

Love one's Enemies (vv. 43-48). 

43) "You have heard that it was said, 'You should love your neighbour (vid. Leviticus 19.18) and hate your enemy.' 44) But I say to you, love your enemies (vid. Exodus 23.4-5; Proverbs 25.21) and pray for (those) who persecute you, 45) that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who (is) in heaven, for he makes his sun to rise upon the wicked and the good, and makes it rain upon the just and the unjust. 46) For, if you love (those) who love you, what reward do you have? Do not the tax-collectors also do the same? 47) And if you only greet your brothers, what an exceptional (thing is it that you are doing)? Do not the gentiles also do the same (thing)? 48) Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. (vid. Leviticus 19.2; Deuteronomy 18.13)

Chapter 6.

Teaching about Almsgiving (vv. 1-4). 

1) "Take care not to practise your righteousness before men, so as to be seen by them; or else you have your reward from your Father who (is) in heaven. 2) So, whenever you make a charitable gift, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, in order to be glorified by men; most assuredly I tell you they are receiving their reward in full. 3) But, when you perform a charitable deed, do not let your left-hand know what your right-hand is doing, 4) so that your charitable deed may be (done) in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. 

Teaching about Prayer (vv. 5-15).  

5) "And, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, in order that they may be seen by men; most assuredly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6) But, whenever you do pray, go into your private chamber and shut your door, and pray to your Father, who (is) in that secret (place); and your Father, who looks on in secret, will reward you. 7) But, when you pray, do not use the same words again and again, as the gentiles (do), for they think that they will receive attention on account of their many words; 8) therefore, do not be like them, for God your Father knows what (things) you have need of, (even) before you ask him for them.    

9) "So, you should pray like this: 'Our Father, who (is) in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10) let your kingdom come, let your will be done on earth, as (it is) in heaven; 11) give us today our daily bread; 12) and forgive (us) our debts, as we also forgive our debtors; 13) and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil (one).

14) "For, if we forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15) but, if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 

Teaching about fasting (vv. 16-18).

16) "Now, whenever you fast, do not be like the sad-faced hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces, so  that they may be seen by men to be fasting; most assuredly I tell you, they are receiving their reward. 17) But, when you fast, anoint your head (with oil) and wash your face, 18) so that you shall not be seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father, who is in a secret (place); and your Father who looks on from this secret (place) will reward you.  

Treasures in heaven (vv. 19-21).

19) "Lay not up treasures for yourselves upon the earth, where moth and rust do corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; 20) but lay up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal; 21) for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

The Light of the Body (vv. 22-23).

22) "The light of the body is the eye. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; 23) but, if your eye is (in) a bad (condition), your whole body will be full of darkness. So, if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 

God and Mammon (v. 24).

24) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the (first) one and love the other; or he will be attached to the first (one) and despise the other; you cannot serve (both) God and Mammon (i.e. wealth).  

Trust in Providence (vv. 25-34).

25) "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat and what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on; is not life more than food, and the body (more) than clothing? 26) Look closely at the birds of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them; are you not worth much more than they (are)?  27) Which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life-span? 28) And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; 29) yet, I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was attired like one of these. 30) But, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow (is) thrown into the oven, (will he) not much more (clothe) you, (O you) of little faith? 31) Therefore, do not be anxious, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we be clothed?' 32) For the gentiles seek all these (things); for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these (things). 33) But first seek the kingdom (of God) and all these (things) shall be given to you as well. 34) So, do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself; sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

Chapter 7. 

Do not judge others (vv. 1-5).

1) "Judge not, so that you are not judged; 2) for with what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with what measure you measure, it will be measured unto you. 3) Why, then, do you look at the speck that (is) in your brother's eye, but you do not notice the beam that is in your own eye? 4) Or how will you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck in your eye,' when behold, (there is) a beam in your own eye? 5) (You) hypocrite, first remove the beam from your own eye, and then you will see clearly (how) to extract the speck from your brother's eye. 

Do not profane sacred things (v.6).

6) "Do not give what (is) holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before your swine, lest they may trample them under their feet and turn around and rend you. 

Effective Prayer (vv. 7-11).

7) "Ask and it will be given; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened unto you. 8) For everyone who asks receives, and (he) who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9) Or what man (is there) among you, whom should his son for bread - he will not give him a stone, (will he)? 10) or should he ask for a fish  - he will not give him a serpent, (will he)? 11) If you, then, evil as you are, know (how) to give a good gift to your children, how much more will your Father, who is in heaven, give good (things) to those who ask him!

The Golden Rule (v. 12).

12) "So, all those things whatsoever that you wish men would do for you, do you do likewise for them; for this is the Law and the Prophets. 

The Two Ways (vv. 13-14).

13) "Enter in by the narrow gate; for broad and spacious (is) the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who enter in by it; 14) for narrow (is) the gate, and restricted (is) the way that leads to life, and few there are that find it.  

False Prophets (vv. 15-20).

15) "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16) You will know them by their fruits; (people) do not gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, (do they)? 17) Likewise, every good tree produces fine fruit, and the rotten tree produces bad fruit; 18) a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, neither (can) a rotten tree produce fine fruit. 19) Every tree that does not produce fine fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. 20) Therefore, you will know them by their fruits.  

The True Disciple (vv. 21-27). 

21) "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father, (who is) in heaven. 22) Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not cast out demons in your name, and in your name perform many miracles?' 23) And then I will say to them, 'I never knew you; get away from me, (you) who are workers of iniquity.'

24) "So, everyone who hears these words of mine, and does them, will be likened to a thoughtful man, who built his house upon a rock. 25) Then, the rain came down, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, for it had been founded upon a rock. 26) Now, everyone who hears these words of mine, and does not do them, will be likened to a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27) Then, the rain came down, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was its collapse." (vid. Ezekiel 13. 10-12)

The Amazement of the Crowds (vv. 28-29).

28) Now it was the case, when Jesus finished this speech, that the crowds were astonished at his (manner of) teaching; 29) for he was teaching them like (a man) with authority, and not like their scribes. 

III. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS PROCLAIMED.

A. NARRATIVE SECTION: TEN MIRACLES (Chs. 8 & 9).

Chapter 8.

The Cleansing of a Leper (vv. 1-4).

1) When he (i.e. Jesus) came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2) And behold, a leper came and bowed down before him, saying, "Lord, if you wish to, you can cleanse me." 3) And he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I do wish to, be made clean!" And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4) Then, Jesus says to him, "See that you tell no one, but go, show yourself to the priest, (vid. Leviticus 14. 2) and offer the gift that Moses prescribed (vid. Leviticus 14. 4-32) as a testimony to them."

The Healing of the Centurion's Servant (vv. 5-13).

5) Now, when he arrived at Capernaum, a centurion came to him and entreated him, 6) saying, "Lord, my manservant is lying in the house, paralysed  and terribly tormented (with pain)." 7) He says to him, "I will come and heal him." 8) The centurion said in reply, "I am not worthy for you to come under my roof; but just say the word, and my servant will be healed; 9) For I too am a man placed in a position of authority, having soldiers under me, and I say to this (one), 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does (it)." 10) When Jesus heard (this), he was amazed, and said to those that followed, "Most assuredly I tell you, with no one (else) in Israel have I found such great faith. 11) I tell you that many will come from the east and the west (vid. Psalms 107.3) and will sit down with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven; 12) but the sons of the kingdom (i.e. the Jews) will be expelled into the outer darkness; there there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 13) Then, Jesus said to the centurion, "Go on your way; let it be done for you as you have believed." And in that hour his servant was healed. 

The Cure of Peter's Mother-in-law (vv. 14-15).

14) Then, when Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever; 15) and he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and waited on him. 

The Healing of Many People (vv. 16-17).

16) When evening came, they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he expelled the spirits with a word, and cured all those who were sick; 17) (this was) so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, "He took our sicknesses and bore our diseases." (vid. Isaiah 53.4)

Jesus' Unconditional Commitment (vv. 18-22).

18) Now, when Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave the order to go to the other side (i.e. to the east bank of the Sea of Galilee). 19) And one of the scribes came and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you, wherever you may go." 20) Then, Jesus says to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air (have) nests, but the Son of Man (i.e. Jesus himself) has nowhere to lay his head." 21) And another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." (vid. 1 Kings 19.20) 22) But Jesus says to him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead." 

The Calming of the Storm (vv. 23-27).

23) When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him, 24) Now behold, a great storm arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered by the waves; he, however, was asleep. 25) And they came to (him), and woke him up, saying, "Save us, Lord, we are dying." 26) And he says to them, "Why are you afraid, (O you) of little faith?" Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and a great calm occurred. 27) And the men were amazed, saying, "What kind of (a man) is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?"

The Healing of the Gadarene demoniacs (vv. 28-34).

28) Now, when he came to the other side, into the country of the Gadarenes, two (men) possessed with demons, met him, as they were coming out of the tombs; exceedingly fierce (they were), so that no one had the courage to go by means of that road. 29) And behold, they cried out, saying, "What (do) we (have to do) with you, son of God? Have you come here to torment us before our appointed time?" 30) Now there was a herd of many swine feeding some distance away from them. 31) And the demons begged him, saying, "If you cast us out, do send us into that herd of swine." 32) And he said to them, "Go!" And out they came and into the swine they went; and behold, the whole herd charged down the bank into the sea, and they perished in the water. 33) And those who fed (them) fled, and went away into the city (i.e. Gadara), and they reported everything, including what (had happened) to those who were possessed with demons. 34) Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and, when they saw him, they urged that he should depart from their district.   

Chapter 9.

The Healing of a Paralytic (vv. 1-8).

1) Then, he got into the boat and went across, and came to his own city. 2) And look! they were bringing him a paralytic lying on a bed. And, seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, child, your sins are forgiven." 3) And look! certain of the scribes said to themselves, " This (man) blasphemes." 4) And, knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why, then, do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? 5) For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk!' " 6) But, in order that you might know that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins, then he says to the paralytic, "Arise, pick up your bed and go to your home." 7) And he got up and went to his home. 8) When they saw (this), the crowds were struck with fear, and they glorified God who gave such authority to men.

The Calling of Matthew (v. 9). 

9) Then, as Jesus was going away from there, he caught sight of a man named Matthew sitting at the tax-office, and he says to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. 

Eating with sinners (vv. 10-13).  

10) And it happened that he was reclining in the house, and behold, many tax-collectors and sinners came and ate with Jesus and his disciples. 11) Now, when the Pharisees saw (this), they began saying to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?" 12) When he heard this, he said, "Those who are healthy have no need of a doctor, but those who are ill (do have). 13) Go then and learn what this means, '(It is) mercy I want, and not sacrifice,' (vid. Hosea 6.6) for I came not to call the righteous but sinners (to repentance)." 

A discussion about Fasting (vv. 14-17).

14) Then, John's disciples came to him and said, "Why (is it that) the Pharisees are fasting, but your disciples do not fast?" 15) At this, Jesus said to them, "The associates of the bridegroom have no reason to fast, as long as the bridegroom is with them, (do they)? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken way from them. 16) No one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth upon an old cloak; for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and the tear becomes worse. 17) Neither do (men) put new wine into old wine-skins: or else the skins burst, and the wine spills out and the skins are ruined; but they put new wines into fresh skins, and both are preserved."  

The Ruler's Daughter and the Women who touched Jesus' garment (vv. 18-26).

18) While he was saying these (things) to them, behold, one of the rulers (of the synagogue) (i.e. Jaïrus) came and knelt before him, saying, "By now, my daughter must be dead; but, if you come and lay your hand upon her, then will she live,"  

19) Then, Jesus arose and began to follow him, and (so did) his disciples. 20) And behold, a woman, who had been suffering from a haemorrhage for twelve years, came up from behind (him) and touched the fringe of his cloak; 21) for she kept saying to herself, "If only I might touch his cloak, I shall be saved." 22) Then, Jesus turned around and, when he saw her, he said, "Take courage, daughter, your faith has made you well." And, from that hour the woman was restored to health.   

23) Now, when he came into the ruler's house, and caught sight of the flute-players and the disorderly crowd, Jesus 24) said, "Go away from (here), for the girl has not died but is sleeping;" and they began to laugh scornfully at him. 25) But, when the crowd had been expelled; he went in and took her hand, and the girl got up. 26) And the news of this spread into the whole of that region. 

The Cure of Two Blind Men (vv. 27-31).

27) Then, as Jesus went on his way from there, two blind (men) followed (him), crying out and saying, "Have mercy on us, son of David." 28) After he had gone into the house, the two blind (men) came to him, and Jesus says to them, "Do you believe that I can do this?" They answered him, "Yes, Lord." 29) Then, he touched their eyes, saying, "Let it happen to you in accordance with your faith!" 30) And Jesus spoke sternly to them, saying, "See that no one gets to know (about this);" 31) But they went outside and spread the news about him throughout the whole of that region. 

The Healing of a Dumb Man (vv. 32-34).

32) Now, when they were leaving, behold, they brought him a dumb (man) possessed of a demon; 33) and, after the demon had been expelled, the dumb (man) spoke. And the crowds were amazed, and said, "Never has such a thing been seen in Israel." 34) But the Pharisees began to say, "(It is) through the prince of the demons (that) he casts out the demons."  

The Compassion of Jesus (vv. 35-38).

35) Then, Jesus went around all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and curing every (sort of) disease and every (kind of) illness. 36) On seeing the crowds (of people), he felt sympathy for them, because they were harassed and pushed around like sheep without a shepherd. (vid. Numbers 27.17; 1 Kings 22. 17; 2 Chronicles 18.16; Ezekiel 34.5; Zechariah 10.2) 37) Then, he says to his disciples, "The harvest (is) great indeed, but the labourers (are) few; 38) therefore, you should beg the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers to his harvest." 

B. INSTRUCTION FOR APOSTLES (Ch. 10).

Chapter 10. The Mission of the Twelve (vv. 1-15).

1) So, he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, so as to expel them and to cure every (sort of) disease and every (kind of) illness. 

2) The names of the twelve apostles are these: firstly, Simon, the (one) called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, and James, the (son) of Zebedee, and John, his brother, 3) Philip and Batholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector, Jacob, the (son) of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, 4) Simon the Cananaean (i.e. the Zealot) and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 

5) These twelve Jesus sent forth, having given them orders, saying, "Do not go out into the way of the gentiles, and do not go into a city of the Samaritans; 6) but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (vid. Jeremiah 50.6) 7) As you go, preach, saying 'The Kingdom of Heaven draws near.' 8) Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, expel demons; you have received without charge, (so) give without charge. 9) Do not procure gold or silver or copper for your (money)-belts, 10) or a knapsack for the journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the workman is worthy of his food (vid. Numbers 18.31). 11) Into whatever city or village you enter, examine carefully as to who in it is worthy; and stay there until you should come to leave. 12) Now, when you are entering the household, pay your respects to it; 13) and, if the house should be deserving, may your peace come upon it; and, if it should not be deserving, may your peace return to you. 14) And whoever shall not welcome you or listen to your words, when you depart from that house or that city, shake its dust off your feet. 15) I say to you most assuredly that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah (vid. Genesis 18.20-19.28) on the Day of Judgment than for that city.   

The disciples will be persecuted (vv. 16-25).  

16) "Behold, I am sending you forth like sheep in the midst of wolves; so, be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17) Be on your guard against men; for they will deliver you to sanhedrins (i.e. law-courts), and they will scourge you in synagogues; 18) and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake as testimony to them and the gentiles. 19) But, whenever they should deliver you up, do not be anxious about how (you should speak) or what you should say; 20) for you are not the (ones) who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father (is) the (one) that is speaking in you. 21) But brother shall deliver up brother to death, and a father his child, and children shall rise up against their parents (vid. Micah 7.6), and shall have them put to death. 22) And you will be hated by everyone on account of my name; but he who has endured to the end (is) the one (who) will be saved. 23) But, when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next (one); for I tell you most assuredly that you will by no means complete (the circuit) of the cities until the Son of Man should come.    

24) A disciple is not above his teacher, nor (is) a slave above his lord. 25) (It is) sufficient for the disciple to become like his teacher, and the slave like his lord. If (people) have called the householder "Beelzebub" what even worse (things) will they call the members of his household? 

Open and Fearless Speech (vv. 26-31). 

26) "Therefore, do not fear them; for there is nothing covered that will not be uncovered, and (there is nothing) hidden that will not become known. 27) What I say to you in the darkness, tell (it) in the daylight; and what you hear whispered proclaim (it) from the housetops. 28) And do not be afraid of (those) who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of him who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna 29) Are not two sparrows sold for a paltry sum? And yet one will fall to the ground without your Father's (knowledge). 30) But the hairs of your head are all numbered (vid. 1 Samuel 14. 45). 31) So, do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.   

Confessing Christ before Men (vv. 32-33). 

32) "So, everyone who shall confess that he is with me before men, I shall confess that I am also with him before my Father who (is) in Heaven; 33) but whoever disowns me before men, him I will also disown before my Father who (is) in Heaven. 

Not peace but a sword (vv. 34-39). 

34) "Do not think that I came to bring peace upon the earth; I came not to bring peace but a sword. 35) For I came to turn a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, 36) and, indeed, a man's enemies (will be) members of his own household. (vid. Micah 7.6) 37) The (man) who loves his father or his mother above me is not worthy of me; and (he) who loves his son or daughter above me is not worthy of me (vid. Deuteronomy 33. 9); 38) And (he,) who does not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. 39) He who secures his life will lose it, (he) who loses his life for my sake will secure it. 

Rewards (vv. 40-42).

40) "He who receives you, receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 41) He who  receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will acquire a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous (man) in the name of a righteous (man) will acquire a righteous (man's) reward. (vid. 1 Kings 17. 9-24; 2 Kings 4. 8-37) 42) And whoever gives one of these little (ones) just a cup of cold (water) in the name of a disciple, I tell you most assuredly that he will by no means lose his reward."  

IV. THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 

A. NARRATIVE SECTION (Chs. 11 & 12).

Chapter 11.

The Baptist's question. Jesus commends him (vv. 1-15).

1) Now it came about that, when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went from there to teach and preach in their cities. 

2) But John, having heard in prison about the works of Christ, sent some of his disciples 3) to ask him, "Are you the one who is coming (vid. Malachi 3.1), or are we to expect someone else?" 4) And, in reply, Jesus said to them, "Go back and tell John what you are hearing and seeing; 5) the blind regain their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear (vid. Isaiah 35. 5-6; 42. 18), and the dead are raised up and the poor are given the good news (vid. Isaiah 61.1); 6) and happy is (the man) who does not find a cause for stumbling in me."  

7) As these (men) were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the crowds about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8) But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft (garments)? Behold, those wearing soft garments (are) in the houses of the kings. 9) But why did you go out?  (Was it) to see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 10) He is (the one) about whom it is written, 'Behold, I am sending my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way ahead of you.' (vid. Exodus 23.20; Malachi 3.1) 11) Most assuredly I say to you (people) that among (those) born of women, there has not been raised up a greater (man) than John the Baptist; but a lesser (one) in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. 12) But from the days of John the Baptist until the present the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the men of violence are seizing hold of it. 13) For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John (came); 14) And, if you want to accept (it), he himself is Elijah, (the one) who is destined to come. (vid. Malachi 4.5) 15) (He) who has ears, let him hear!  

Jesus condemns his contemporaries (vv. 16-19).

16) "With what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-place who are calling to their friends,  17) (and) they say, 'We played the flute for you, yet you did not dance; we sang a dirge for you, yet you did not lament;' 18) For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon;' 19) the Son of man came, eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is justified by her deeds." 

Woe to the unrepentant cities (vv. 20-24).

20) Then, he began to reproach the cities in which most of his miracles had occurred, because they had not repented: 21) "Woe to you, Chorazin; woe to you, Bethsaida, for if the miracles which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon (i.e. Phoenician towns that were archetypes of impiety), they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes. 22) But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the Day of Judgment than for you. 23) And you, Capernaum, 'Did you not wish to be exalted to heaven? (Instead,) you will go down to Hades.' (vid. Isaiah 14. 13,15) For, if the miracles which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained (standing) until this day (vid. Genesis 19. 24-28). 24) But I tell you that it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom on the Day of Judgment than for you." 

The Good News revealed to the simple (vv. 25-27).

25) At that time, Jesus said in response, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these (things) from the wise and clever, and revealed them to young children; 26) yes, Father, because it was pleasing in your sight to do so. 27) All (things) have been delivered to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son, and anyone, to whom the Son is willing to reveal (him). 

Come to Me and Rest (vv. 28-30). 

28) "Come unto me all (you) who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (vid. Jeremiah 31.25). 29) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls (vid. Jeremiah 6.16). 30) For my yoke (is) easy and my burden is light."

Chapter 12.

Plucking corn on the Sabbath (vv. 1-8).

1) At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath through the cornfields; and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck and to eat the heads of grain (vid. Deuteronomy 23. 24-25). 2) But the Pharisees, when they saw (this), said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what it is not lawful to do on the Sabbath (vid. Exodus 20. 10; Deuteronomy 5. 14)." 3) But he said to them, "Have you not read what David did, when he, and those (who were) with him, got hungry? 4) How they entered into the house of God and ate the bread of presentation (vid. Leviticus 24.5-8; 1 Samuel 21, 1-6), which it was neither lawful for him to eat, nor for those (who were) with him, but only for the priests? (vid. Leviticus 24.9) 5) Or have you not read in the Law that on the Sabbath that the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? (vid. Numbers 24. 9-10) 6) But I tell you that (something) greater than the temple is here. 7) But if you had known what "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice," means, you would not have condemned the innocent. 8) For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

Cure of the Man with a Withered Hand (vv. 9-14).  

9) And, when he had gone from there, he went into their synagogue; 10) and behold, (there was) a man with a withered hand, and they consulted him, asking, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath (Day)?" so that they might accuse him. 11) And he said to them, "What man will there be among you, who has one sheep, and, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not grab hold of it and lift (it) out? 12) So, how much more valuable is a man than a sheep? Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Day)." 13) Then, he says to the man, "Stretch out your hand!" and he stretched (it) out, and it was restored (as) sound as the other. 14) But the Pharisees took counsel (i.e. conspired) against him, (as to) how they might destroy him.  

The Chosen Servant (vv. 15-21).

15) Realising this, Jesus withdrew from there. And many (people) followed him, and he healed them all, 16) and he warned them strictly that they should not make him known; 17) that it might be fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah, saying 18) "Behold, my servant whom I chose, my beloved one, in whom my soul is well pleased; upon him will I put my spirit and he will proclaim justice to the gentiles. 19) He will not wrangle or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 20) No bruised reed will he crush, and no smouldering flax will he extinguish, until he shall lead justice to victory. 21) And in his name the gentiles will put their hope." (vid. Isaiah 42. 1-4)

Jesus and Beelzebub (vv. 22-29).

22) Then, they brought him (a man) possessed by a demon, (who was) blind and dumb; and he healed him, so that the dumb (man) spoke and saw. 23) And all the crowds were astounded, and they said, "May this (man) perhaps be the son of David?" 24) But, when the Pharisees heard (this), they said, "This (man) does not cast out demons except through Beelzebub, the prince of the demons." 25) Knowing their thoughts, (Jesus) said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26) Now, if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how, then, will his kingdom stand? 27) If I, by Beelzebub, cast out demons, by whom do your followers cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. 28) But, if I, by the Spirit of God, cast out demons, then has the Kingdom of God come upon you. 

29) "Or how can anyone enter into the house of a strong (man) (vid. Isaiah 49.24) and steal his goods, unless he has bound the strong (man) first? And then he can thoroughly plunder his house. 

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an Unforgivable Sin (vv. 30-32). 

30) "He (who) is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, throws (things) away. 

31) "For this reason, I tell you every (sort of) sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32) Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever should speak against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this world or in the one (that is) to come,  

A tree and its fruits (vv. 33-37).

33) "Either make the tree a good (one) and its fruit will be good, or make the tree a rotten (one) and its fruit will be rotten; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34) (You) brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, say good (things)? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35) The good man brings forth good (things) from his store of goodness, and the bad man brings forth bad (things) from his store of badness. 36) But I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will render an account of it on the Day of Judgment. 37) For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."    

The Sign of Jonah (vv. 38-42). 

38) Then, some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you." 39) But, in answer, he said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation keeps on looking for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. 40) For, as Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 41) The men of Nineveh will stand in judgment against this generation and will condemn it; for at the preaching of Jonah they repented, but look, (someone) greater than Jonah (is) here. 42) The Queen of the South will rise up in judgment with this generation and will condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, (vid. 1 Kings 10.1 -10; 2 Chronicles 9. 1-12) and look, (something) greater than Solomon (is) here. 

The Return of the Unclean Spirit (vv. 43-45).

43) "When the unclean spirit comes out of the man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find (it). 44) Then, it says, 'I will return to my house, from which I came out;' and, when it returns, it finds (it) unoccupied, swept clean and in order. 45) Then it goes its way and takes with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and dwell there; and the final (state) of that man becomes worse than the first. Thus, it will also be with regard to this evil generation." 

The True Kinsfolk of Jesus (vv. 46-50).

46) While he was still speaking to the crowds, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him. 47) Someone said to him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to you." 48) But he said in reply to (the one) who spoke to him, "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?" 49) And he stretched out his hand towards his disciples and said, "Behold, my mother and my brothers! 50) For whoever does the will of my Father, who (is) in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother."   

B. DISCOURSE OF PARABLES (Ch. 13 vv. 1-52).

Chapter 13. 

The Parable of the Sower (vv. 1-9).  

1) On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea; 2) and many crowds gathered together near him, so he went into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3) And he spoke many (things) to them in parables, saying, "Behold, a sower went forth to sow. 4) And, as he sowed, some (seeds) fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured them. 5) Others fell on stony ground, where they did not have much earth, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil, 6) and, when the sun arose, they were scorched, because they had no root, and they withered away. 7) Some fell upon thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them. 8) But some fell on good ground and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9) He who has ears (to hear), let him hear!" 

Why Jesus speaks in parables (vv. 10-17).

10) And the disciples came up and said to him. "Why do do you speak to them in parables?" 11) And in answer he said. "To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is not given. 12) For he who has, to him it will be given, and to he who has not, even that which he has will be taken away from him. 13) Therefore, I speak to them in parables, because, (in) seeing they do nor see, and (in) hearing they do not hear, neither do they understand; 14) and in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which says, 'By hearing you will hear and by no means understand, and by looking, you will look and by no means see. 15) For this people's heart has grown dull, and through their ears they have heard with difficulty, and they have closed their eyes; they may never see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn again and I might heal them' (vid. Isaiah 6. 9-10). 16) But blessed (are) your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17) For most assuredly I tell you that many prophets and righteous (men) set their hearts upon seeing what you see and they did not see, and hearing what you hear and they did not hear. 

The Parable of the Sower explained (vv. 18-23). 

18) "Hear, then, the parable of the sower. 19) When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand (it), the evil (one) comes and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart; this is that which (was) sown by the way side. 20) That which was sown on the stony ground, this is he (who) hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21) and in himself he has no root, but he only endures for a while, and, when tribulation or persecution occurs on account of the word, he stumbles immediately. 22) And the (one who) sows among thorns, this is he (who) hears the word, but the cares of the world and the seduction of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23) That which (was) sown on good ground, this is he (who) hears the word and understands (it), and he, indeed, bears fruit, and it produces now a hundredfold, now sixtyfold, and now thirtyfold. 

The Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat (vv. 24-30).

24) He set another parable before them, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25) But, while the men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds in the midst of the wheat and went away.  26) But, when the corn sprouted and brought forth fruit, then the weeds appeared also. 27) Then, the slaves of the householder came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow fine seed in this field? So, from where, (does it come) to have weeds?' 28) He said to them, 'A hostile man has done this.' Then, they said to him. 'Do you want us, then, to go out and gather them up?' 29) But he said, 'No, lest perhaps, while you are gathering up the weeds, you should uproot the wheat together with them. 30) Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of the harvest I will tell the reapers, "First collect up the weeds and bind them into bundles, in order to burn them completely, but gather up the wheat into my barn." ' " 

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (vv. 31-32).  

31) He set another parable before them, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32) it is indeed smaller than all (other) seeds, but, when it has grown, it is greater than herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make their nests in its branches (vid. Psalms 104.12; Ezekiel 17.23; 31.6; Daniel 4.12, 21). 

The Parable of the Leaven (v. 33).

33) He told them another parable: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like the leaven (i.e. yeast) which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until the whole of it was fermented." 

The Use of Parables (vv. 34-35).

34) Jesus spoke all these (things) to the crowds in parables, and apart from parables he did not say anything to them; 35) (this was) so that it might be fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet, saying, "I will open my mouth in parables, and I will utter (things) that have been hidden since the foundation (of the world)." (vid. Psalms 78. 2)

The Parable of the Weeds Explained (vv. 36-43). 

36) Then he sent the crowds away, and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us clearly the parable of the weeds." 37) And he said in reply, "He (who) sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38) the field is the world; (as for) the good seeds these are the sons of the kingdom; the weeds are the sons of the evil (one), 39) and the enemy who sows them is the Devil; the harvest is the end of time, and the reapers are angels. 40) So, just as the weeds are gathered up and consumed by fire, so will it be at the end of time; 41) the Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom all (the things) that cause (men) to stumble, and those (people who) do evil, (vid. Zephaniah 1. 3) 42) and cast them into the furnace of fire (vid. Daniel 3. 6); there there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43) Then, the righteous will shine forth like the sun (vid. Daniel 12. 3) in the kingdom of their Father. He (who) has ears (to hear) let him hear!        

The Parables of the Treasure and of the Pearl (vv. 44-46).                                     

44) "The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden (vid. Proverbs 2. 4) in the field, which a man found and hid, and in his joy he goes and sells (all) that he has and buys that field. 45) Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls; 46) and, having found one very precious pearl, he goes and sells everything that he has and buys it. 

The Parable of the Dragnet (vv. 47-50).

47) "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet, cast into the sea and which will gather up every kind of (fish); 48) when it was filled, they drew it up on to the beach, and they sat down and collected the good (ones) into containers, but the bad (ones) they threw away. 49) So will it be at the end of time; the angels will come forth and separate the wicked from among the righteous, 50) and they will cast them into the furnace of fire (vid. Daniel 3. 6); and there there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  

Treasures New and Old (vv. 51-52).

51) "Have you understood all these (things)? " They answered him, "Yes." 52) Then, he said to them, "Therefore, every scribe who has become a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven, is like a man (who is) a householder, who brings out of his store of treasure (things that are) new and old." 

V. THE CHURCH, FIRST FRUITS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

A. NARRATIVE SECTION (Ch. 13 vv. 53-58, Chs. 14-17).

Chapter 13 (cont.)

At Nazareth Jesus is rejected (vv. 53-58).

53) And it happened that, when Jesus had finished (telling) these parables, he departed from there. 54) And he went into his own country and taught in their synagogues, so that they were astounded and said, "From where (did) this (man get) this wisdom and these wondrous powers? 55) Is this not the carpenter's son? Is his mother not called Mary, and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Jude? 56) And are not all of his sisters with us? Where, then, (did) this (man get) all of these things?" 57) And they were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country and in his own house? " 58) And he did not perform many miracles there, on account of their disbelief.

Chapter 14.

The death of John the Baptist vv. 1-12).

1) At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus, 2) and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he himself has risen from the dead, and (it is) for this (reason) that these miracles are at work in him." 

3) For Herod had arrested John and bound (him) and put (him) in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, 4) for John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." (vid. Leviticus 18.16; 20.21) 5) And, although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet. 6) Now, when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in their midst, and this was pleasing to Herod. 7) (And) for this reason he promised on oath to give her whatever she might ask for. 8) And, prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter." 9) Then, although the king was distressed, for the sake of his oaths and his fellow-guests, he ordered that it be given (to her), 10) and he sent (the order) and had John beheaded in the prison; 11) and his head was brought on a platter and given to the young lady, and she took (it) to her mother. 12) And his disciples came and removed the corpse and buried (it), and they went and told Jesus. 

The Feeding of the Five Thousand (vv. 13-22).

13) Now, when Jesus heard (this), he went from there to a deserted spot all on his own; and, when the crowds heard (this), they followed him from the cities on foot. 14) And he went out and saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. 15) But, when evening arrived, the disciples came to him, saying, "This place is deserted and the hour is already late; send away the crowds, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves some food." 16) But Jesus said to them, "They have no need to go away; you give them (something) to eat!" 17 But they told him, "We do not have (anything) here but five loaves and two fishes." 18) So, he said, "Bring them here to me." 19) And he told the multitudes to sit down on the grass, (and) he took the five loaves and the two fishes, (and), looking up to heaven, he blessed (them) and broke (them), and he gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples (gave them) to the multitudes. 20) And they all ate and were filled, and they took up the scraps that were left over, twelve baskets full (of them) (vid. 2 Kings 4. 43-44). 21) And those who ate were about five thousand, besides women and children. 22) And, immediately, he made the disciples get into the boat, and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away from there. 

Jesus walks on the water (vv. 23-33).

23) After he had sent the crowds away, he (i.e. Jesus) went up into the mountain by himself to pray. 24) But the boat was now many stades (i.e. hundreds of yards) from the land, for the wind was against (them). 25) But in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them, walking on the sea. 26) When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost," and they cried out in their fear. 27) But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I. Do not be afraid!" 28) Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters," 29) Then, he said, "Come!" And Peter got off the boat and walked on the waters and came to Jesus. 30) But looking at the wind, he became afraid, and, as he began to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me." 31) Immediately, Jesus stretched out his hand and took hold of him, and he said to him, "(O you) of little faith, why did you doubt?" (32) And, when they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33) And those (who were) in the boat bowed down before him, saying, "You really are the Son of God."

The Healing of the Sick in Gennesaret (vv. 34-36).

34) And they went across and came to the land of Gennesaret. 35) Now, when they recognised him, the men of that place sent out (the news of him) into the whole of that neighbourhood, and they brought him all those who were sick. 36) And they entreated him that they might just touch the fringe of his cloak; and all those who touched (it) were healed. 

 Chapter 15.  

The Traditions of the Pharisees (vv. 1-9).

1)  Then, Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying, 2) "Why do your disciples overlook the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." 3) In reply he said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God, because of your tradition? 4) For God said, 'Honour your father and your mother,' (vid. Exodus 20.12; Deuteronomy 5.16) and 'He who speaks evil of his father and mother, let him be put to death.' (vid. Exodus 21.17) 5) But (when) you say, 'Whoever may say to his father or his mother, "Whatever help you have got from me (is) a gift (dedicated to God)," 6) he shall not honour his father at all;' and you have invalidated the word of God because of your tradition. 7) (You) hypocrites, Isaiah aptly prophesied about you when he said, 8) 'This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me; 9) and in vain do they worship me, (by) teaching the commands of men as doctrines. ' " (vid. Isaiah  29.13)    

Clean and Unclean (vv. 10-20).

10) Then, he summoned the crowd and said to them, "Hear and understand!" 11) (It is) not what enters his mouth (that) defiles the man, but (it is) what leaves his mouth, this (is what) defiles the man."

12) Then, the disciples came and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying? 13) But he said to them in reply, "Every plant which my heavenly Father did not plant, will be pulled out by the roots. 14) Let them be! The guides are blind; but, whenever a blind (man) leads a blind (man), they will both fall into a pit."15) Peter said to him in reply, "Explain the parable to us." 16) And he said, "Are you also still without understanding? 17) Are you not aware that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is (then) discharged into the sewer? 18) But the (things) that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they (are the things that) defile the man. 19) For from the heart come forth wicked thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies (and) blasphemies. 20) Those are the (things) which defile the man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man."     

The Faith of the Canaanite Woman (vv. 21-28).

 21) Then, Jesus went out from there, and withdrew into the parts of Tyre and Sidon. 22) And behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those regions, and cried out, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." 23) But he said no word to her in answer. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Satisfy (her wishes), because she cries out from behind us." 24) But he said in answer, "I was not sent to (anyone), but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25) But she came and fell down before (him), saying, "Lord, help me!" 26) But he said in reply, "It is not right to take the bread of children and throw (it) to little dogs." 27) But she said, "Yes, Lord, but even the little dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." 28) Then, Jesus said to her in answer, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you just as you wish!" And from that hour her daughter was healed.   

The Healing of Many People near the Lake (vv. 29-31).

29) Then, Jesus went from there and came near to the Sea of Galilee, and he went up into the mountain and sat there. 30) Great crowds (of people) came to him, having with them the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb, and many others, and they lay them at his feet, and he healed them; 31) so the crowd wondered when they saw the dumb speaking, the lame walking and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. 

The Feeding of the Four Thousand (vv. 32-39). 

32) Then, Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "I feel pity for the multitude, because they have already stayed with me for three days and they have nothing they can eat; now, I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they may perhaps faint on the way." 33) And the disciples said to him, "Where in this deserted spot (are) we (going to get) enough bread to feed so great a multitude?" 34) And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few little fishes." 35) Then, he instructed the multitude to sit down on the ground, 36) and he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks and broke (them) and gave (them) to the disciples, and the disciples (gave them) to the multitudes. 37) And they all ate and were filled, and they took up the surplus of the fragments, seven bags full. 38) Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39) And, when he had dispersed the crowds, he got into the boat, and came into the regions of Magadan.

Chapter 16.

The Pharisees demand a sign from heaven (vv. 1-4).   

1) Then, the Pharisees and the Sadducees came, and to test (him) they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2) But he said to them in answer, "When evening comes, you (are accustomed to) say, '(There will be) fair weather, for the sky is fiery red,' 3) and in the morning (you say), 'Today (there will be) stormy weather, for the sky is red but gloomy.' You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you cannot (discern) the signs of the times (i.e. the miracles worked by Jesus in the messianic age). 4) (It is) an evil and adulterous generation (that) keeps on looking for a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah (i.e. a foretelling of the resurrection). Then, he went away and left them behind.  

The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (vv. 5-12).

5) Now, the disciples, having come to the other side, had forgotten to take any bread. 6) Then, Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 7) And they discussed (the situation) among themselves, saying, "We brought no bread." 8) Being aware (of this), Jesus said, "Why, (O you) of little faith, are you saying to one another that you have no bread? 9) Do you still not understand, and do you not remember, the five loaves in the case of the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 10) Nor the seven loaves in the case of the four thousand and how many bags you took up? 11) How do you not perceive that I was not speaking to you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 12) Then, they understood that he was not telling them to beware of the leaven of the bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.   

Peter's declaration of faith and his pre-eminence (vv. 13-20).

13) Now, when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, "Who do men say is the Son of Man?" 14) And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15) He said to them, "But who do you say I am?" 16) Then, in answer Simon Peter said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17) Then, Jesus said to him in reply: "Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal (this) to you, but my Father, who (is) in heaven. 18) I also tell you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it; 19) I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you may bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you may set free on earth will be set free in heaven." 20) Then, he warned the disciples that they should tell no one that he was the Christ.   

 Jesus prophesies his Death and Resurrection (vv. 21-23).  

21) From that time onwards Jesus Christ began to make known to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer much at the hands of the elders, and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and raised up on the third day. 22) Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid, Lord; in no way will this happen to you. 23) But he turned and said to Peter, "Get you behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, because you do not think the (things) of God, but the (things) of men."

The condition of following Christ (vv. 24-28). 

24) Then, Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him utterly deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25) For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. 26) For of what benefit will it be to a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? 27) For the Son of Man is destined to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward everyone according to his deeds. 28) I tell you most assuredly that there are some standing here who will not taste death at all, until they shall see the Son of Man coming together with his kingdom."   

Chapter 17.

The Transfiguration of Jesus (vv. 1-8).

1) And after six days Jesus took with (him) Peter, and James and John, his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. 2) And he was transformed before them, and his face shone like the sun and his clothing became white like the light. 3) And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, conversing with him. 4) And, in response (to this), Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I shall erect three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5) While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice (came) out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, (vid. Psalms 2.7) in whom I am well pleased; listen to him!" (vid. Deuteronomy 18.15) 6) And, when the disciples heard (it), they fell on their faces, and they were exceedingly afraid. 7) Then, Jesus came and touched them and said, "Get up, and have no fear!" 8) And, lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.  

The Question about Elijah (vv. 9-13).

9) As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus enjoined them, saying, "Tell no one what you saw until the Son of Man has risen from the dead." 10) Then, the disciples inquired of him, saying, "Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" 11) And he said to them in reply: "Elijah indeed comes (first) and will restore everything; (vid. Malachi 4.5-6) 12) but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they failed to recognise him, but did to him whatever they wanted (to do); so also is the Son of Man destined to suffer by them." 13) Then, the disciples understood that he spoke to them about John the Baptist.  

The Healing of a Young Demoniac (vv. 14-21).

14) And, as they came towards the crowd, a man came to him, kneeling down to him and saying, 15) "Lord, have mercy on my son, because he is an epileptic and is sick; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water; 16) and I brought him to your disciples, and they were not able to heal him. 17) Then, Jesus said in reply, "O (you) faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I put up with you? Bring him here to me!" 18) Then, Jesus rebuked it, and the demon came out of him; and the boy was cured from that hour. 19) Then, the disciples came to Jesus privately and said. "Why were we not able to expel it?" 20) And he said to them, "Because of your little faith; for I say to you most assuredly, if you have faith the size of a seed of mustard, you will say to this mountain. "Move from here to there," and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. 21) -----.

Jesus again foretells his Death and Resurrection (vv. 22-23).

22) While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men, 23) and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised up." And they were greatly distressed. 

Payment of the Temple tax (vv. 24-27).

24) When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the double drachmas (i.e. the annual half-a- shekel tax paid by individual Jews, aged 20 and over, for the upkeep of the Temple) came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher pay the two drachmas?" (vid. Exodus 30.13; 38.26) 25) When he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive their tolls and taxes? From their sons (i.e. their subjects) or from foreigners?" 26) When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him, "So then the sons are exempt. 27) But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and, when you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater (i.e. a silver coin worth four drachmas); take that and give it to them on my and on your behalf."  

B. DISCOURSE ON THE CHURCH (Ch. 18).

Chapter 18.

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (vv. 1-5).

1) In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who, then, is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" 2) And he called a little boy to (him) and set him in their midst, 3) and he said, "Most assuredly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4) So, whoever humbles himself like this little child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven; 5) and whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me.

Leading others astray (vv. 6-11).

6) "But whoever causes one of these little (ones) who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea. 7) Woe to the world because of these stumbling-blocks; for stumbling-blocks come of necessity, but woe to the man through whom the stumbling-block comes. 8) If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and cast (it) from you; it is better for you to enter into life crippled or lame, than to be cast with two hands and two feet into the eternal fire. 9) And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and cast (it) from you; it is better for you to enter into life with one eye than to be cast with two eyes into the Gehenna (i.e. hell) of fire. 10) See that you do not despise one of these little (ones), for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father, who (is) in heaven. 11) -------.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep (vv. 12-14).

12) "What do you think? If a certain man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, will he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains and seek the one that has gone astray? 13) And, if he should happen to find it, most assuredly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. 14) Likewise, it is not the will of my Father, who (is) in heaven, that one of these little (ones) should perish.

The Correction of a Sinful Brother (vv. 15-20).

15) "But, if your brother should commit a sin, go and show him his fault (vid. Leviticus 19.17), between you and him alone; if he should listen to you, you have won back your brother; 16) but, if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, so that from the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be established (vid. Deuteronomy 19.15); 17) and, if he refuses to listen to them, tell (it) to the assembly; if he also refuses to listen to the assembly, let him be to you like a Gentile and a tax-collector. 18) Most assuredly, I tell you that whatever (things) you may bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever (things) you may set free on earth will be freed in heaven. 19) Again, I tell you most assuredly that, if two of you should come to an agreement on earth about any matter that they should request, it will be granted to them by my Father, who (is) in heaven. 20) For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them. 

The Forgiveness of injuries (vv. 21-22).

21) Then, Peter came and said to him, "If my brother sins against me, how many times am I to forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22) Jesus said to him, "Not up to seven times, I tell you, but up to seventy-seven times?"

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (vv. 23-35).

23) "Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven has become like some king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants; 24) when he had started (to settle these accounts), one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents (i.e. a fantastic sum). 25) Because he did not have (the means) to repay this, his lord ordered him to be sold, and his wife and children and all that he possessed, and that payment should be made. 26) So, the servant fell down and knelt before him, saying, 'Be patient with me, and I shall repay you everything.' 27) Then that servant's lord had pity on him and released him and forgave him the debt. 28) But that servant went out and found one of his fellow-servants who owed him a hundred denarii (i.e. a relatively small sum of money), and he grabbed him and began to throttle (him), saying, 'Repay whatever you owe!' 29) And so, his fellow-servant fell down and begged him, saying, 'Be patient with me, and I shall repay you.' 30) But he was not willing, but went out and cast him into prison until he should repay what he owed. 31) So, when his fellow-servants saw what had been done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and made clear to their lord everything that had happened. 32) Then, his lord summoned him and said to him. '(You) wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me. 33) Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on you?' 34) And, in his wrath, his lord handed him over to the jailers, until he should repay everything that he owed. 35) So will my heavenly Father also deal with you, unless each (one of you) should forgive his brother from (the bottom of) your hearts."

VI. THE ADVENT OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

A. NARRATIVE SECTION (Chs. 19-23).

Chapter 19.

Teaching about Divorce (vv. 1-9).

1) Now, it happened that, when Jesus had finished this speech, he went away from Galilee and came to the regions of Judea on the far side of the Jordan. 2) And great crowds followed him and he healed them there. 

3) And Pharisees came to him to put him to the test and asking, "Whether it is lawful (for a man) to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" 4) And he said in answer, "Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning created them male and female (vid. Genesis 1.27; 5.2), 5) and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?' (vid. Genesis 2.24) 6) So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. So, what God has joined together, let no man put asunder." 

7) They asked him, "Why, then, did Moses command (us) to give a certificate of divorce and (then) divorce her?" (vid. Deuteronomy 24.1) 8) He said to them, "Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because of your hardheartedness, but it has not been like that from the beginning. 9) But I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual infidelity, and marries another, commits adultery."   

Teaching about Continence (vv. 10-12).

10) The disciples said to him, "If the relationship between a man and his wife is of such a kind, it would be better not to have married." 11) But he said to them, "Not everyone comprehends this saying, but (those) to whom (such understanding) is granted. 12) For there are eunuchs, who were born like that from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs, who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. He who is able to accept (this), let him accept (it)."    

"Suffer the Little Children!" (vv. 13-15).

13) Then little children were brought to him, so that he could lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 14) But Jesus said, "Suffer (i.e. tolerate) the little children and do not forbid them from coming to me, for the Kingdom of Heaven is (made) from such as these." 15) And he laid his hands on them, and departed from that place.  

The Rich Young Man (vv. 16-22).

16) And behold, one came to him and said, "Teacher, what good (thing) shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" 17) And he said, "Why do you ask me about what (is) good? One there is who (is) good; but, if you want to enter into life, observe the commandments (vid. Leviticus 18.5). 18) He said to him, "Which (ones)?" Jesus said, "The (following), 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not give false testimony'; 19) 'Honour your father and your mother,' (vid. Exodus 20. 12-16, Deuteronomy 5.16-20) and 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' " (vid. Leviticus 19.18) 20) And the young man said to him, "All these (commandments) I have kept; what is the last (thing I) still (need to do)?" 21) Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me!" 22) But, when the young man heard these words, he went away grieved, for he was (a man) who had many possessions (vid. Psalms 62.10). 

The Danger of Riches (vv. 23-26).

23) Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you most assuredly that a rich (man) will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty; 24) and again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich (man) to enter into the Kingdom of God." 25) Now, when the disciples heard (this), they were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who, then, can be saved?" 26) Looking at (them), Jesus said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all (things are) possible." (vid. Genesis 18.14; Job 42.2; Zechariah 8.6)

The Reward of Renunciation (vv. 27-30).

27) Then, Peter said to him in reply, 'Look, we have forsaken everything and followed you; what then will we have? 28) Then, Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly I tell you that you who have followed me in the recreation, when the Son of Man will sit on his throne of glory (vid. Daniel 7.9-10), you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29) And everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or fathers, or mothers, or children, or lands for the sake of my name, will receive many times more, and will inherit eternal life. 

30) "But many (that are) first will be last, and the last (will be) first.  

Chapter 20.

Parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard (vv. 1-16).

1) "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was a householder who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard; 2) and, when he had reached agreement with the labourers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3) And he went out at about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market-place; 4) and he said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you;' 5) So off they went. And again he went out, at about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6) And at about the eleventh (hour) he went out and found others standing (around), and he said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' 7) They said to him. 'Because no one has hired us;' he said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard.' 

8) "When evening had come, the master of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the labourers and pay (them) their wages (vid. Leviticus 19.13; Deuteronomy 24.15), beginning from the first to the last.' 9) When those (who had been hired) at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius. 10) And, when the first (ones) came, they thought that they would receive more; yet they also each received a denarius. 11) And, when they received (it), they began to murmur against the householder, saying, 12) 'These last ones have done one hour, and yet you have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' 13) But in answer he said to one of them, 'Friend, I do you no wrong; you reached agreement with me for a denarius, did you not? 14) Take what is yours and go on your way; I wish to give this last (one) the same as (I gave) to you also. 15) Is it not lawful for me to what I want with my own (things)? Or is your eye evil (i.e. are you full of envy) because I am generous? 16) So, the last will be first, and the first last.' " 

Jesus' Third Prophecy of His Death and Resurrection (vv. 17-19). 

17) As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 18) "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death. 19) And they will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock, scourge and crucify (him), and on the third day he will be raised up." 

The Mother of Zebedee's Sons makes her request (vv. 20-23). 

20) Then, the mother of the sons of Zebedee (i.e. James and John) came to him with her sons, and they knelt and asked something of him. 21) And he said to her, "What (is it that) you want?" She said to him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right (hand) and one on your left, in your kingdom." 22) But Jesus said in reply,"You know not what you are asking; can you drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to him, "(Yes,) we can." 23) He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, but the (right) to sit on my right and on my left is not mine to give, but (it belongs to those) for whom it has been prepared by my Father."

Leadership with Service (vv. 24-28).

24) Now, when the ten heard of this they were angry with the two brothers. 25) But Jesus summoned them and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and that their great (men) exercise authority over them. 26) Among you this is not the case; but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant. 27) And whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave, 28) just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life (as) a ransom for many."    

The Healing of the Two Blind Men of Jericho (vv. 29-34). 

29) And, as they went out from Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30) And behold, two blind (men) were sitting beside the road, and, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, saying, "Lord, have mercy on us, (you) son of David!" 31) The crowd rebuked them, so that they should keep quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Lord, have mercy on us, (you) son of David!"32) Then, Jesus stopped and called out to them, and he said, "What do you want me to do for you?" 33) They told him, "Lord, that our eyes may open." 34) And, moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately they received their sight and followed him. 

Chapter 21.

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (vv. 1-11).

1) Now, when they drew near to Jerusalem and they came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent out two of the disciples, 2) saying to them, "Go into the village that (is) opposite you, and at once you will find a tethered donkey, and a colt with her; untie (them) and send (them) to me. 3) And if anyone should say anything to you, you will say, 'The Lord has need of them;' and he will send them immediately." 

4) This was done, that it might be fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5) "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Look, (vid. Isaiah 62.11) your King comes to you, humble and riding on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' " (vid. Zechariah 9.9)

6) So, the disciples went and did just as Jesus commanded them, (and) they brought the donkey and the colt. 7) And they laid their garments on them, and he sat on top of them. 8) And a very large crowd spread their own clothes on the road, and others began to cut branches from the trees and to strew them on the road. 9) Now, the crowds who went before him, and those who followed, kept shouting, saying, "Hosanna (i.e. Please save us) to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna (vid. Psalms 118.25-26) in the highest!" 

10) And, when he had come into Jerusalem, the whole city was in a state of turmoil, (with people) saying, "Who is this?" 11) And the crowds kept saying, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee." 

The Cleansing of the Temple (vv. 12-17).

12) And Jesus entered into the temple and drove out all those who sold and bought in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those selling doves (i.e. as sacrificial victims), 13) and he said to them, "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer' (vid. Isaiah 56.7), but you have made it a den of thieves" (vid. Jeremiah 7.11). 14) And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15) But, when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wondrous (things) that he did and the children who were crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the son of David," they grew indignant, 16) and said to him, "Do you hear what they are saying?" Then, Jesus said to them, "Have you never read that 'Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings you have produced praise.' " (vid. Psalms 8.2 lxx) 17) And Jesus left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and there he spent the night.

The Cursing of the Barren Fig-tree (vv. 18-22).  

18) Now in the morning, as he returned to the city, he felt hungry. 19) And catching sight of a solitary fig-tree beside the road, he went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves, and he said to it, "Let there no longer be any fruit from you forever;" and immediately the fig-tree withered away. 20) And, when the disciples saw (this), they were amazed, saying, "How did the fig-tree immediately wither away?"  21) And Jesus said to them in reply, "Most assuredly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what (was done) to the fig-tree, but even if you told this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will happen. 22) And, if you have faith, everything which you may ask for in prayer you will receive." 

The Authority of Jesus is Questioned (vv. 23-27).

23) And, when he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, saying, "On what authority do you do these (things)? And who gave you this authority?" 24) And Jesus said to them in reply, "I will ask you one thing, and, if you tell me, I will also tell you on what authority I do these (things): 25) from what source was the baptism of John? (was it) from heaven or from man?" And they began to reason among themselves, saying, "If we were to say, 'From heaven,' he will ask us, 'Why, then, did you not put your trust in him?' 26) But, if we were to say, 'From men,' we would be in fear of the multitude, for they all look upon John as a prophet." 27) So in answer they said to Jesus, "We do not know." He also said to them, "Neither do I tell you on what authority I do these (things).   

The Parable of the Two Sons (vv. 28-32).

28) "But what do you think? A man had two sons. And he came to the first (one) and said, 'Son, today go and work in the vineyard!' 29) But he in reply said, 'I will not (do so),' but afterwards he changed his mind and went. 30) And he came to the other (one) and said the same thing. And he in reply said, 'I (shall go), sir,' but he did not go. [Alternative version of vv. 29-30: 29) And he in reply said, 'I (shall go), sir;' but he did not go. 30) And going up to the second (one), he said the same thing; but he in reply said, 'I will not (do so),' but afterwards he changed his mind and went.] 31) Which of the two did the will of his father? They said, 'The first (one).' [alternative version: 'The latter (one).']" Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly I say to you that the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going ahead of you into the Kingdom of God. 32) For John came to you in the way of righteousness, yet you did not believe in him; but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed in him; but even when you saw (this), you did not afterwards repent and believe in him. 

Parable of the Vineyard and the Wicked Tenants (vv. 33-46).

33) "Listen to another parable! There was a man, (who was) a householder, who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it, and dug a wine-press in it and built a tower (vid. Isaiah 5.1-2), and he leased it out to tenant farmers and went abroad. 34) Now, when the season for the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenant farmers to get his fruit. 35) And the tenant farmers took his servants, and one they beat, another they killed and another they stoned. 36) Once more, he dispatched other servants, more than the first (ones), but they treated them in like manner. 37) And after that, he sent his son to them, saying, 'My son they will respect.' 38) But, when the tenant farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.' 39) So, they took him and threw (him) out of the vineyard and slew (him). 40) So, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenant farmers?  41) They said to him, 'He will destroy those evil (men) in a terrible manner, and he will lease out the vineyard to other tenant farmers, who will give him the fruit in its season.' "

42) Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner-stone; this has happened due to the Lord, and it is marvellous in our eyes'? (vid. Psalms 118. 22-23) 43) Therefore, I tell you that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing its fruit. 44) And he who falls upon this stone will be shattered; and, upon whomsoever it shall fall, it will crush him." (vid. Daniel 2.34-35, 44-45) 

45) And, when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them; 46) but, when they sought to seize him, they feared the crowds, since they considered him to be a prophet. 

Chapter 22.

Parable of the Wedding Feast (vv. 1-14).

1) Then, replying once more, Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2) "The Kingdom of Heaven might be likened to a man, a king, who made a wedding feast for his son. 3) And he sent out his slaves to summon those (who had been) invited to the celebrations, but they would not come. 4) Again, he sent out other slaves, saying, 'Tell those (who have been) invited, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner, my bulls and my fattened cattle (have been) slaughtered, and everything (is) ready; do come to the wedding feast!" ' 5) But they were not interested and went away, one to his own farm and another to his shop; 6)  and the rest overpowered his slaves, and treated (them) shamefully and killed (them). 

7) "So, the king grew wrathful, and, sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers and set fire to their cities. 8) Then he said to his slaves: 'The wedding feast is ready. but those (who have been) invited were not worthy; 9) so, go to the crossings of the roads, and, whomever you find (there), summon (them) to the wedding feast.' 10) And those slaves went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both good and bad; and the marriage hall was full of guests. 11) But, when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who was not wearing a wedding garment. 12) And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' and he had no answer. 13) Then, the king said to the servants, 'Bind his feet and hands, and cast him into the outer darkness; there there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 

14) "For many are called, but few (are) chosen."  

Paying taxes to Caesar (vv. 15-22).

15) Then, the Pharisees went and formed a plan as to how they might entrap him in his speech. 16) So, they sent their disciples to him, together with the followers of Herod, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are an honest (man) and (that) you teach the way of God in truth, and that nobody is of particular concern to you, for you do not value the opinion of men; 17) so, tell us what you think: is it lawful to pay poll-tax to Caesar or not?" 18) But perceiving their wickedness, Jesus said, "Why are you putting me to the test, (you) hypocrites? Show me a tax coin!" And they brought him a denarius. 20) And he said to them, "Whose is this image and inscription?" 21). They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "So, give to Caesar the (things that are) Caesar's, and to God the (things that are) God's!" 22) And, when they heard (this), they were amazed, and they left him and went away.  

The Resurrection of the Dead (vv. 23-33).

23) On that day Sadducees, (those) who say there is no resurrection, came to him, and asked him, 24) saying, "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies without children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.' (vid. Deuteronomy 25.5; Genesis 38.8) 25) Now, there were with us seven brothers; and the first married and died, and, having no offspring, he left his wife to his brother; 26) and the second likewise, and the third, until the seventh of them. 27) And, last of all, the woman died. 28) So, in the resurrection whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her." 29) But, in answer, Jesus said to them, "You are mistaken, for you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God; 30) for in the resurrection they neither marry nor are they given in marriage, but they are like angels in heaven. 31) But, concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32) 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? (vid. Exodus 3.6,15,16) He is not the God of the dead, but of the living." 33) And, when they heard (this), the multitudes were astonished at his teaching.       

The Greatest of all Commandments (vv. 34-40).

34) Now, when the Pharisees heard that he had put the Saducees to silence, they came together in one group. 35) And one of them, a lawyer, asked a question in order to test him, 36) "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37) And he said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' (vid. Deuteronomy 6.5) 38) This is the first and greatest commandment. 39) The second likewise (is) this: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' (vid. Leviticus 19.18) 40) On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the prophets." 

Christ is not only son, but Lord of, David (vv. 41-16).

41) Now, when the Pharisees had gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, 42) "What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "(He is) David's." 43) He said to them, "How then does David, (moved) by the Spirit (vid. 2 Samuel 23.2), call him Lord, when he says, 44) 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right-hand until I have put your enemies beneath your feet." ' (vid, Psalms 110.1) 45) So, if David calls him Lord, how is he his son?" 46) And no one could say a word to him in reply, nor did anyone venture to ask him a question from that day (forth).  

Chapter 23.

Jesus denounces the hypocrisy and vanity of the Scribes and Pharisees (vv. 1-12).

1) Then, Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, 2) "The scribes and the Pharisees sat on the seat of Moses. 3) All the things, therefore, whatever they tell you, do and observe, but do not do in accordance with their deeds, for they do not practise what they preach (vid. Malachi 2.7-8). 4) For they bind heavy loads and lay (them) on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5) But all the deeds they (do), they do to attract men's attention; for they enlarge their headbands (vid. Exodus 13.9; Deuteronomy 6.8) and magnify the tassels (on their garments) (vid. Numbers 15.38-39), 6) and they love the place of honour at feasts and the front-seats in the synagogues, 7) and the greetings in the market-places, and to be called 'Rabbi' by men. 

8) "But you should not be called 'Rabbi', for one is your teacher, and you are all brothers; 9) and you do not call (anyone) on earth your father, for one is your Father in heaven; 10) and do not be called 'Teachers', for one is your teacher, the Christ; 11) for the greatest among you will be your servant. 12) Whoever shall exalt himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (vid. Job 22.29; Proverbs 29.23, Ezekiel 21.26).  

The Sevenfold Indictment of the Scribes and Pharisees (vv. 13-32). 

13) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites (that you are), because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven in men's faces; for you do not enter (it yourselves), nor do you allow those who are entering it to (actually) go in. 14) -------.

15) "Woe to you, (you) hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, for you travel around the sea and the land to make one convert, and, when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves. 

16) "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it means nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated;' 17) (You) fools, and blind (ones), for which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 18) And whoever swears by the altar, it means nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated. 19) (You) blind (ones), for which (is) greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? (vid. Exodus 29.37) 20) So he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything that (is) on it; 21) and he who swears by the temple swears by it and by (the one) who dwells in it; (vid. 1 Kings 8.13; Psalms 26.8) 22) and he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits on it (vid, Isaiah 66.1).     

23) "Woe to you, (you) hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, for you levy tithes on mint and dill and cumin (vid. Leviticus 27.30), yet you have disregarded the weightier (matters) of the Law, (namely) justice and mercy and faith (vid. Micah 6.8); the former things you ought to have done without neglecting those other (things). 24) (You) blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel. 

25) "Woe to you, (you) hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, for you clean the outside of the cup and the platter, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26) (You) blind Pharisees, first cleanse the inside of the cup - and of the platter - so that its outside may become clean also.  

 27) "Woe to you, (you) hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, for you are like the white-washed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead (men's) bones and every kind of immorality; 28) so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

29) "Woe to you, (you) hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, for you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, 30) and they say, "If we were living in the days of our forefathers, we would not have been partners with them in the blood of the prophets; 31) therefore do you testify to yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32) Then do you bring to completion the work of your forefathers. 

Their Crimes and the Approaching Punishment (vv. 33-36).   

33) "(You) serpents, (you) offspring of vipers, how will you escape from the judgment of Gehenna? 34) So, behold, I send to you prophets, and wise (men) and scribes. (Some) of them you will kill and crucify, and (some) of them you will scourge in your synagogues and pursue from city to city; 35) so that on you may fall all the righteous blood shed on the earth from the blood of righteous Abel (vid. Genesis 4.8) to the blood of Zachariah, son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar (vid. 2 Chronicles 24.20-21; Zechariah 1.1). 36) Most assuredly I tell you all these (things) will come upon this generation.    

Jerusalem admonished (vv. 37-39).

37) "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, she that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her, how often would I have gathered your children together in the manner in which a hen gathers her chicks together under her wings, and you would not (do so)? 38) Behold, your house is left to you desolate (vid. 1 Kings 9.7-8; Jeremiah 12.7). 39) For I say to you, from now on you will not see me any more, until you should say, 'Blessed (is) he who comes in the name of the Lord.' " (vid. Psalms 118.26) 

B. JESUS TALKS ABOUT THE END AND THE SECOND COMING (Chs. 24 & 25).

Chapter 24.

The Destruction of the Temple foretold (vv. 1-2). 

1) Now Jesus went out from the Temple and went on his way, and his disciples came (to him) to show him the buildings of the Temple; 2) but he said to them in response, "Do you not see all these (things)? Most assuredly I tell you, by no means will a stone be left here on a stone, and not be thrown down." 

The Beginning of Woes (vv. 3-14).

3) As he sat on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us when things will happen, and what sign there will be of your presence and the conclusion of the world." 4) And Jesus said in reply, "Beware that no one leads you astray; 5) for many will come, making use of my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will mislead you. 6) You will hear of wars, and rumours of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for (these things) must happen, but the end is not yet. 7) For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various regions; 8) but all these (things are) the beginning of birth-pains.  

9) "Then, they will deliver you up to affliction, and they will kill you, and you will be hated by all of the nations on account of my name. 10) Then, many will stumble, and will give one another up, and will hate one another; 11) and many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray; 12) and, because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. 13) But the (one) who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14) And this good news (i.e. the gospel) of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. 

The Great Tribulation of Jerusalem (vv. 15-28).

15) "So when you see the 'abomination of desolation' (i.e. the statue of Zeus set up in Jerusalem by the Seleucid King Antiochus Epiphanes in 167 B.C.), which was spoken of through the prophet Daniel standing in the holy place - let the reader understand - , 16) let those that are in Judea flee to the mountains, 17) let he (who is) on his rooftop not go down to take things from his house, 18) let he (who is) in the field not turn back to get his clothes. 19) But woe to those (women who are) with child and to those nursing (children) in those days. 20) Pray that your flight will not happen in winter nor on the sabbath. 21) For then there will be great affliction, such as there has not been since the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. 22) And, if those days had not been shortened, not all flesh could have been saved: but, on account of the chosen (ones), those days will be cut short.   

23) "Then, if anyone should say to you, 'Look, here', or 'there (is) the Christ,' do not believe (it); 24) for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will give great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect; 25) behold, I have forewarned you. 

26) "So, if they tell you, 'Behold, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out; 'Behold, he is in the inner chambers,' do not believe (it); 27) just as the lightning comes from the east and shines right into western (parts), so will be the presence of the Son of Man; 28) wherever the carcass is, there will the vultures come together. 

The Coming of the Son of Man (vv. 29-31).

29) "Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30) And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear, and then all the tribes of the earth will lament and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 31) And he will send out his angels with a great trumpet-blast, and they will gather together his elect from the four winds and from (one) extremity of the heavens to their (other) extremity. 

The Lesson of the Fig Tree (vv. 32-35). 

32) "Now, from the fig tree learn this parable: now, whenever its branch has become tender and it puts forth its leaves, you know that the summer (is ) near; 33) so, when you see all these (things) you know that he (i.e. the Son of Man) is near at the gates. 34) Most assuredly I tell you, that this generation will by no means pass away until all these (things) have been accomplished. 35) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away. 

The Unknown Day and Hour (vv. 36-44). 

36) "But of that day and of that hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven or the Son, but the Father only. 37) For, just as were the days of Noah (vid. Genesis 6.9-12), so will be the presence of the Son of Man; 38) for, as in those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered into the ark, 39) and they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away (vid. Genesis 6.13 - 7.24), so will be the presence of the Son of Man. 40) Then, two (men) will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left. 41) Two (women will be) grinding in the mill: one will be taken and one will be left. 42) So, be on the alert, for you know not on what day your Lord is coming. 43) But know this, that, if the householder had known in what watch (of the night) the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44) Therefore, be you also ready, for in an hour that you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. 

The Trustworthy and the Untrustworthy Servants (vv. 45-51).

45) "Who, then, is the faithful and sensible servant, whom the master has put in charge of his domestic servants, in order to give them their food at the right time? 46) Blessed (is) that servant, whom his master finds (him) doing so when he comes. 47) Most assuredly I tell you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 

48) "But if that slave (is) wicked (and) should say in his heart, 'My master is delaying (his return),' 49) and begins to beat his fellow-servants, and eat and drink with drunkards, 50) the master of that servant will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know, 51) and will punish him severely and assign (him) his place with the hypocrites; there there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  

Chapter 25.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins (vv. 1-13).

1) "Then will the Kingdom of Heaven be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2) Five of them were foolish and five (were) wise; 3) for the foolish (ones), when they took their lamps, took no oil with them; 4) but the wise (ones) took oil in the containers with their lamps. 5) Now, while the bridegroom was delaying, they all dozed off and fell asleep. 6) But in the middle of the night there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7) Then, all these virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8) Then, the foolish (ones) said to the wise, 'Give us (some) of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9) But the wise (ones) answered, saying, 'Perhaps there may not be quite enough for us and for you; go you rather to those who sell (it) and buy (some) for yourselves.' 10) While they went away to buy, the bridegroom arrived, and those (who were) ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. 11) Afterwards, the rest of the virgins came also, saying. 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' 12) But he said in reply, 'Most assuredly I say to you, "I know you not." ' 13) So be watchful, for you do not know the day or the hour (when the Son of Man is coming). 

The Parable of the Talents (vv. 14-30).

14) "For it is just like when a man (who is) going abroad called his own servants and entrusted his property to them, 15) and to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to his ability, and then he went abroad. 16) He who received the five talents immediately went and invested them and gained another five; 17) similarly, he (who received) the two gained another two; 18) but he who received the one (talent) went away and dug in the ground and hid his lord's silver coin. 

19) "Now, after a long time, the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20) He who had received five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, 'Lord, you gave me five talents; see I have gained another five talents.' 21) His lord said to him, 'Well (done), (you) good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few (things), (so) I shall put you in charge of many (things); enter into the joy of your lord!' 22) He (who received) the two talents also came and said, 'Lord, you gave me two talents; see I have gained another two talents.' 23) His lord said to him, 'Well (done), (you) good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few (things), (so) I shall put you in charge of many (things); enter into the joy of your lord.'

24) "Then, he who had received the one talent also came and said, 'Lord, I know you that you are a hard man, reaping where you do not sow and gathering where you do not scatter; 25) so I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground; see you have what (is) yours.' 26) But his lord said to him in reply, 'You wicked and slothful servant, you knew, (did you,) that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter? 27) You should, therefore, have deposited my money with the bankers and, when I returned, I should have got back what (is) mine with interest.  

28) "So take the talent away from him and give it to the (one) who has the ten talents; 29) for to everyone who has (more) shall be given; but to him who has not even (that) which he has will be taken from him. 30) And cast the useless servant into the outer darkness; there there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The Last Judgment (vv. 31-46). 

31) "But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him (vid. Deuteronomy 33.2 lxx; Zechariah 14.5), then will he sit on the throne of his glory, 32) and all the nations will be gathered before him and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats (vid. Ezekiel 34.17). 33) And he will set the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.

34) "Then, the king will say to those on his right hand, 'Come, (you) who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom (which has been) prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35) for I was hungry and you gave me (something) to eat, I was thirsty and you made me drink, I was a stranger and you took me in, 36) (I was) naked and you clothed (me) (vid. Isaiah 58.7), I was in prison and you came to (see) me.' 37) Then, the righteous (ones) will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed (you), or thirsty and cause you to drink? 38) When did we see you (as) a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you? 39) When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?' 40) Then, the king will say to them in answer, 'Most assuredly I tell you, inasmuch as you did (it) to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did (it) to me.' (vid. Proverbs 19.17)

41) "Then, he will also say to those on his left, 'Go from me, (you) accursed (ones), into the eternal fire which (has been) prepared for the Devil and his angels; 42) for  I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, and I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43) I was a stranger and you did not take me in, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44) Then they themselves will also answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and not help you?' 45) Then, he will answer them, saying, 'Most assuredly I tell you, inasmuch as you did not do (it) for one of the least of these, you did not do (it) for me.' 46) These will then go off into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life." (vid. Deuteronomy 12.2)

VII. THE PASSION AND THE RESURRECTION (Chs. 26-28).

Chapter 26.

The Conspiracy against Jesus (vv. 1-5).

1) Now it happened, when Jesus had finished all these speeches, that he said to his disciples, 2) "You know that two days from now the Passover (vid. Exodus 12. 1-27) is coming, and the Son of Man is to be given up to be crucified."

3) Then, the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered together in the courtyard of the high priest, who (was) called Caiaphas, 4) and they plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill (him); 5) but they kept saying, "Not during the festival, so that no riot should occur among the people." 

The Anointing at Bethany (vv. 6-13).

6) Now, when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7) a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed ointment, and she poured (it) on his head, as he was reclining (at the table). 8) But, when the disciples saw (this), they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? 9) For this (ointment) could have been sold for a lot (of money), and (this) could have been given to the poor. 10) But Jesus, knowing (this), said, "Why do you bring troubles to the woman; for she has performed good deeds towards me; 11) for the poor you always have with you (vid. Deuteronomy 15.11), but you do not always have me; 12) for (by) pouring this ointment on my body, she did (it) to prepare me for burial. 13) Most assuredly I tell you, that, wherever this gospel is preached in all of the world, what this (woman) has done will be spoken of as a memorial of her."   

Judas arranges to betray Jesus (vv. 14-16).

14) Then, one of the Twelve, who (was) called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, 15) and said, "What will you give me if I should deliver him to you?" And they brought him thirty pieces of silver (vid. Exodus 21.32; Zechariah 11.12). 16) And from that time he sought an opportunity to betray him.   

Preparations for the Passover Supper with the Disciples (vv. 17-19).

17) But on the first day of the festival of unleavened bread (vid. Deuteronomy 15.11), the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?" 18) He said, "Go into the city, to a certain (person), and tell him, 'The Teacher says, "My appointed time is near; I will keep the Passover at your (house) with my disciples." ' " 19) And the disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and prepared the Passover.  

Jesus' betrayal is foretold (vv. 20-25).

20) Now, when evening had come, he was reclining (at the table) with the twelve disciples. 21) And, while they were eating, he said, "Most assuredly I tell you that one of you will betray me." 22) Then, they were exceedingly distressed, and each of them began to say to him, "Surely I am not that (man), Lord, am I?" 23) And, in answer, he said, "The (one) who has dipped his hand in the bowl with me, he will betray me (vid. Psalms 41.9). 24) The Son of Man goes as it is written about him, (vid. Psalms 22. 7,8,16-18; Isaiah 53.9) but woe to that man, by whom the Son of Man is betrayed; it would be better for that man if he had not been born. 25) And, in answer, Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Surely I am not that man, Rabbi, am I?" He said to him, "You said (it)." 

The Institution of the Lord's Supper (vv. 26-30).

26) As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and gave thanks, and broke (it), and, giving (it) to the disciples, he said, "Take, eat, this is my body." 27) And he took the cup and gave thanks, and gave (it) to them, saying, "Drink (it) all of you, 28) for this is my blood of the covenant (vid. Exodus 24.8; Jeremiah 31.31; Zechariah 9.11), which is poured out for many for the remission of sins; 29) but I tell you, I will by no means drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I shall it drink anew with you in the Kingdom of my Father." 30) And, when they had sung a hymn (vid. Psalms 113-118), they went out to the Mount of Olives.  

Peter's denial foretold (vv. 31-35). 

31) Then, Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me during this night, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of his flock will be scattered;' (vid. Zechariah 13.7) 32) but, after I have been raised up, I will go before you into Galilee." 33) But Peter said to him in reply, "If everyone is made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble." 34) Jesus said to him, "Most assuredly I tell you that during this night before the cock crows you will deny me thrice." 35) Peter said to him, "Even if I might die with you, I will by no means deny you." And all the disciples spoke likewise.  

Jesus at Gethsemane (vv. 36-47).

36) Then, Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, "Sit down here while I go over there and pray. 37) And he took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and sorely troubled. 38) Then, he said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death (vid. Psalms 42.5.11; 43.5; Jonah 4.9); stay here and keep watch with me." 39) Then, he went forward a little way and fell on his face and prayed, and he said, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; but (let it) not (be) as I wish, but as you (do)."

40) And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Were you really not able to keep watch with me for one hour? 41) Watch and pray, that you do not enter into temptation; for the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42) He went away again for a second (time) and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this (cup) cannot pass (from me) unless I drink it, let your will be done." 43) And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44) And again he left them and went away and prayed for a third (time), saying the same words once more. 45) Then, he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep, and therefore take your rest; behold, the hour is near and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46) Arise, and let us be going: he who betrays me is at hand." 47) And, while he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the Twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, (sent) by the chief priests and elders of the people.  

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus (vv. 48-56).

48) Now, he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, he is (the one); hold him fast!" 49) And immediately he went to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and he kissed him. 50) And Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then, they came forward and laid hands on Jesus and took him into custody. 51) And behold, one of those (who were) with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and took off his ear. 52) Then, Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place, for all (those) who take the sword will die by the sword (vid. Genesis 9.6); 53) or do you think that I could not call upon my Father for help, and that he would supply me right now with more than twelve legions of angels? 54) Then, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must happen this way? 55) In that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out to arrest me with swords and clubs as against a robber? Every day, I used to sit teaching in the temple, yet you did not take me into custody. 56) But all this happened so that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then, all the disciples abandoned him and fled (vid. Zechariah 13.7).

Jesus before the Sanhedrin (vv. 57-68).  

57) Then, those who had taken Jesus into custody, led (him) away to Caiaphas, the high priest, (at a place) where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58) But Peter followed him from a distance to the courtyard of the high priest, and entered inside and sat down with his attendants to see the outcome. 

59) Now, the chief priests and the whole of the Sanhedrin (i.e. the Council) were seeking false testimony against Jesus, so they might put him to death. 60) And they did not find (any), even though many false witnesses came forward. But, eventually, two (men) came forward, 61) and said, "This (man) said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and build (it) back up again in three days.' "  62) At this, the high priest stood up and said to him, "Have you nothing to say in reply? What (is it) that these (men) are testifying against you?" 63) But Jesus kept silent (vid. Isaiah 53.7). Then, the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living god that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64) Jesus said to him, "You said (it); but I say to you that from henceforth you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." (vid. Psalms 110.1; Daniel 7.13) 65) Then, the high priest tore his clothing (vid. Numbers 14.6: 2 Samuel 13.19; Ezra 9.3; Job 1.20; 2.12; Jeremiah 36.24), saying, "He has blasphemed; why do we still have need of witnesses? See now you have heard his blasphemy. 66) What is your opinion?" And they said in reply, "He is liable to the death (penalty)." (vid. Leviticus 24.16) 67) Then, they spat into his face, and hit him (with sticks), and they slapped (him) (vid. Isaiah 50.6;53.5), saying, 68) "Prophesy to us, (you) Christ, who is it that struck you?"     

Peter's denial of Jesus (vv. 69-75).

69) Now. Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. and a single servant girl came up to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean!" 70) But he denied (it) before all (of them), saying, "I do not know what you are talking (about)." 71) When he had gone out to the gateway, another (girl) saw him and said to those (who were) there, "This (man) was with Jesus the Nazarene." 72) And again he denied (it) with an oath, saying, "I do not know the man." 73) But after a little (while) those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you are also (one) of them, for your accent makes (it) clear that you (are)." 74) Then, he began to curse and to swear, saying, "I do not know the man." And, at once, a cock crowed. 75) Then, Peter remembered the words which Jesus had spoken to him, that "Before the cock crows you will deny me thrice," and he went out and wept bitterly. 

Chapter 27.    

Jesus comes before Pilate (vv. 1-2).

1) When morning had come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus so as to put him to death; 2) then, they bound him and led (him) away, and handed (him) over to Pilate, the governor. 

The Death of Judas Iscariot (vv. 3-10). 

3) Then, when Judas, who betrayed him, saw that he had been condemned, he felt remorse and handed back the thirty (pieces of) silver to the chief priests and elders, 4) saying, "I sinned when I betrayed innocent blood." But they said, "What (is that) to us? You see to (it)." 5) Then, he threw the thirty (pieces of) silver into the sanctuary and withdrew, and he went away and hanged himself. 6) And the chief priests took the (pieces of) silver and said, "It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since they are the price of blood." 7) And they took counsel and with them they bought the potter's field for the burial of strangers. 8) Therefore that field has been called the "Field of Blood" until this (very) day. 9) Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "And they took the thirty (pieces of) silver, the price of him upon whom a price had been set, when he was valued by the sons of Israel, 10) and they gave them for the potter's field, just as the Lord commanded me." (vid. Jeremiah 32. 6-9; Zechariah 11.12-13) 

Jesus is questioned by Pontius Pilate (vv. 11-14).

11) Now, Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor puts this question to him, saying, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And Jesus said, "(So) you say." 12) But, while he was being accused by the chief priests and the elders, he made no answer (vid. Isaiah 53.7). 13) Then, Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many accusations they are making against you?" 14) But he gave him no answer, not even a single word (vid. Isaiah 53.7), so that the governor was greatly amazed. 

Jesus is sentenced to death (vv. 15-26).

15) Now at (the time of) the festival, the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner, whom they wanted. 16) They had at that time a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17) So, when they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you, Barabbas or Jesus, who (is) called Christ?" 18) For he knew that (it was) out of resentment (that) they had given him up. 19) Now, while he was siting on the judge's bench, his wife sent him (a message) saying, "Do nothing to that righteous (man), for today I have been greatly upset by a dream (that I had) about him." 20) Now, the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas and to destroy Jesus. 21) Then, the governor said to them in response, "Which one of the two (men) do you want me to release to you?" And they said, "Barabbas." 22) Pilate said to them, "What, then, shall I do with Jesus, who (is) called Christ?" They all said, "Let him be crucified!" 23) But he said, "Why, for (what) evil has he done?" But they cried out even louder, saying, "Let him be crucified!" 24) Now, when Pilate saw that nothing was being achieved, but rather that a disturbance was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying. "I am innocent of this (man's) blood (vid. Deuteronomy 21. 6-9; Psalms 26.6); you see to (it)." 25) And, in answer, all the people said, "(May) his blood (be) upon us and upon our children." (vid. Ezekiel 33.5) 26) Then, he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he had flogged and handed over to be crucified. `

The soldiers mock Jesus and crown him with thorns (vv. 27-31).

27) Then, the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium (i.e. the governor's palace) and gathered the whole garrison around him. 28) And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe around him, 29) and they wove a crown out of thorns and put (it) on his head and a reed in his right hand, and, kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 30) and they spat on him and took the reed and began hitting (him) on his head (vid, Isaiah 50.6). 31) And, when they had mocked him, they took the robe off him and put his clothes (back) on him, and led him away to be crucified.

The Crucifixion of Jesus (vv. 32-44).

32) As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; they compelled him to take up his cross. 33) And they came to a place called Golgotha, that is to say "The Place of a Skull"; 34) they gave him water mixed with gall to drink (vid. Psalms 69.21); but, after tasting (it), he would not drink. 35) When they had crucified him, they divided his garments between (them by) casting lots (vid. Psalms 22.18), 36) and they sat there and watched him. 37) And they set up over his head the charge against him in writing: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews". 38) Then, two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on his left (vid. Isaiah 53.9,12). 39) And those who passed by reviled him, wagging their heads (vid. Psalms 22.7; 109.25; Lamentations 2.15) 40) and saying, "O (you) who destroys the temple and builds (it again) in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!" 41) Likewise, the chief priests mocked (him), together with the scribes and elders, and said, 42) "He saved others, (but) himself he cannot save; he is the King of the Jews; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in him." 43) He has put his trust in God; let him now rescue (him), if he wants him (vid. Psalms 22.9); for he said, 'I am God's Son.' " 44) In the same way also, the robbers who were being crucified with him, reproached him. 

The Death of Jesus (vv. 45-56).

45) Now, from the sixth hour, darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour. 46) And, at about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 47) And some of those who were standing there, when they heard (this), said, "This (man) is calling Elijah." 48) And, immediately, one of them ran and took a sponge and filled it with vinegar (i.e. sour wine), and put (it) on a reed and gave (it) to him to drink. 49) And the rest said, "Let him be; let us see if Elijah comes to save him." [Another (man) took a spear and pierced his side, and blood and water came out.] 50) And Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 

51) And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook and the rocks were split, 52) and the tombs were opened and many bodies of the holy (ones) who had fallen asleep were aroused, 53) and, coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and revealed themselves to many. 54) Now, the centurion, and those who were watching Jesus with him, when they saw the earthquake and the (things) that had happened, were exceedingly afraid, saying, "This (man) was certainly the Son of God."

55) Many of the women who were there looking on from afar (were) those who had followed Jesus from Galilee in order to serve him. 56) Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.  

The Burial of Jesus (vv. 57-61).

57) Now, when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was himself also a disciple of Jesus; 58) this (man) went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus (vid. Deuteronomy 21. 22-23). Then, Pilate ordered that it be given up. 59) Then, Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linen cloth, 60) and laid it in the new tomb of his own, which he had hewn in the rock, and he rolled a great stone up to the tomb's entrance, and went on his way. 61) Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the sepulchre.

The Guard at the Tomb (vv. 62-66).   

62) Now on the next day, which is (the day) after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together before Pilate, 63) saying, "Lord, we recall that that impostor said, while he was still living, 'After three days I am to be raised up.' 64) So, command that the sepulchre be kept secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples may come and steal him away and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last deception will be worse than the first." 65) Pilate said to them, "You shall have your guard; go and make (things) as secure as you know how." 66) So, they went with the guard and made the sepulchre secure (by) sealing the stone.  

Chapter 28.

The Empty Tomb (vv. 1-8).

1) After the Sabbath, (and) as it was growing light on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to  see the sepulchre. 2) And behold, a great earthquake took place; for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky and came and rolled away the stone and sat on top of it. 3) And his face was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. 4) The guards shook in fear of him and became like dead (men). 5) The angel said to the women in answer, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who (has been) crucified. 6) He is not here, for he is risen, as he said (he would); come and see the place where he was lying; 7) now, go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has risen from the dead, and look, he goes before you into Galilee, and there you will see him;' behold, I have told you." 8) And they went quickly away from the tomb with fear and great joy, and they ran to tell his disciples. 

Jesus appears to the women (vv. 9-10).

9) And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came forward and clutched his feet and paid him homage. 10) Then, Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid! Go and tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me."

The Guard's Report (vv. 11-15). 

11) Now, while they were going, behold, some of the guardsmen went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. 12) And, when they had come together with the elders, and had taken counsel, they (i.e. the chief priests) gave the soldiers considerable sums of money, 13) saying, "You must say that his disciples came during the night and stole him away, while we were were sleeping; 14) and, if this should be heard by the governor, we will reassure (him) and make you free of worry." 15) So, they took the money, and did as they were told. And this story has been spread abroad among the Jews, right up until this very day.   

Jesus appears to the disciples (vv. 16-20).

16) But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had put them. 17) When they saw him, they bowed down (to him), but some were in doubt. 18) Then, Jesus came forward and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on the earth. 19) So, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20) (and) teaching them to observe all the (things) which I commanded you; and behold, I will be with you every day until the end of time."

  

   

 

HOMER: "ILIAD": BOOK XIV: THE SEDUCTION OF ZEUS.

HOMER: "ILIAD": BOOK XIV: THE SEDUCTION OF ZEUS. 

Introduction:

Book XIV is the second book in the three book interlude in the plot of the 'Iliad' (i.e. Chapters XIII-XV) in which the action on the third day of the fighting which began in Book XI is deliberately 'retarded' by Homer for the sake of entertainment. The book, itself, consists of three distinct sections: 1) a meeting between Nestor and the three major Achaean fighters wounded in Book XI, Agamemnon, Odysseus and Diomedes (ll. 1-152; 2); the seduction of Zeus by his wife Hera, from which the book gets its name, "Διὸς ἀπάτη" (ll. 153-351); and the resumption of fighting, in which the Achaeans are mostly victorious (ll. 352-522). In the famous second section, Hera decides to seduce her husband Zeus on the peak of Mount Ida, so he will fall asleep and lose his control of the battlefield, in which he has been assisting the Trojans at the request of Thetis, because of Agamemnon's treatment of her son Achilles. With the assistance of the god Hypnos (Sleep), Hera's plan succeeds, Zeus falls asleep, her brother Poseidon openly helps the Achaeans, Hector is wounded by Ajax the Greater and leaves the field, and the Trojans are driven into flight. The story of Zeus' seduction is brilliantly told by Homer, in a way that combines fantasy and subtle humour, and one can well imagine how entertaining it must have been to his listeners.

Ll. 1-26.  Nestor sees that the Achaeans are in retreat.  

The cry (of battle) does not escape the notice of Nestor, even though he is drinking (wine), but he addressed these winged words to the son of Asclepius: "Think (now), godlike Machaon, what are the things we can do? The shouting of the active young men by the ships is (now growing) louder. But you should sit and drink this gleaming wine, until lovely-haired Hecamede (i.e. the maiden given as a slave to Nestor after Achilles captured the island of Tenedos) has heated a hot bath (for you) and washed away the clotted blood; but I will go quickly to a place where I shall discover (what is going on)."

So he spoke, and he took the well-made shield of his son, the horse-taming Thrasymedes, (that was) lying in the hut, all gleaning with bronze; now his son was carrying his father's shield. Then, he grasped a strong spear, tipped with sharp bronze, and he stood outside the hut, and at once he saw a shameful situation, (the Achaeans) being in a state of confusion, and, behind (them), the high-spirited Trojans driving (them) on; and the Achaeans' wall had fallen. And just as when the great sea heaves with a noiseless swell, thus presaging the rapid pathways of the shrill winds, nor does it roll forward one way or the other until some steady wind comes down from Zeus, so the old man ponders, divided in his mind between two (courses), whether he should join the throng of the Danaans with their swift horses, or (go) after Agamemnon, son of Atreus, shepherd of the host. And so, as he pondered, it seemed the better (course) to go in quest of the son of Atreus. And the others fought, and went on slaying one another; and the unyielding bronze rang around their bodies, as they thrust at one another with their swords and their double-pointed spears. 

Ll. 27-63. Nestor meets with the wounded leaders of the Achaeans. 

The kings fostered by Zeus met with Nestor as they came up from the ships, (namely) the son of Tydeus (i.e. Diomedes), Odysseus and Atreus' son, Agamemnon. For, far away from the fighting, the ships had been drawn up on the shore of the grey sea; for they had drawn up the foremost (ones) on to the plain, and had built the wall along their sterns. For, though the beach was wide, it was not able to hold all the ships, and the host was confined. So, they had dragged (the ships) up in rows, and had filled the wide mouth of the whole bay, which the headlands enclosed. So, wishing to see (the state) of the battle and the war, they were all going along together, (each) leaning on his own spear (for support), and the heart in the chest of each one of them was grieving. And the old man Nestor came to meet (them), and the spirit quailed in the breasts of the Achaeans. The lord Agamemnon spoke to him and said: "O Nestor, son of Neleus, great glory of the Achaeans, pray why have you left the deadly battle and come back here? I am afraid that mighty Hector may fulfil his word, the one with which he once threatened us when speaking in (the assembly) of the Trojans, that he would not return to Ilium from beside our ships, until he had set the ships on fire, and  killed the (men) as well. So he spoke in such a way; and now all these (things) are being brought to pass. Oh yes, surely the other well-greaved Achaeans are laying up anger against me in their hearts, even as Achilles (does), and have no wish to fight by the sterns of the ships.    

So then, the Gerenian horseman Nestor answered him: "Verily then, these (things that you speak of) have been made ready, nor could Zeus himself, who thunders on high, have fashioned (them) otherwise. For the wall has now been thrown down, (that wall) in which we trusted that it would be an unbreakable defence for our ships and ourselves. And men maintain a ceaseless fight by the ships without pause; now you could not tell, however hard you looked, from what side the Achaeans are being driven in confused rout, as they are being slain indiscriminately, and their cry goes up to heaven. But let us consider what are the (things) we can do, if thought can accomplish anything; but I do not urge us to enter the battle; for it is not at all possible for a wounded (man) to fight." 

Ll. 64-102.  Odysseus reproaches Agamemnon. 

Then again, Agamemnon, king of men, answered him: "Since they are now fighting at the sterns of the ships, and the well-made wall was of no help (to us), nor in any way the trench, at which the Danaans sorely laboured and hoped in their hearts that it would prove to be an unbreakable defence for their ships and themselves; so I think that it must be pleasing to almighty Zeus that the Achaeans should perish here without names far from Argos. For I knew when he was willing to help the Danaans, and I know now when he exalts them equally with the blessed gods, and has bound our strength and hands. But come, let us all be persuaded to do as I say. Let us haul down the ships that are drawn up in the front line near the sea, and pull them into the shining sea, and let us moor (them) out at sea with anchor-stones, until immortal night shall come, and then the Trojans may hold back from war; and then we might drag down all the ships. For it is in no way shameful to flee from ruin, not even by night. (It is) better that (a man) should flee and avoid ruin than that he should fall into the hands of an enemy."  

Then, looking askance (at him), Odysseus, (that man) of many wiles, said to him: "Son of Atreus, what sort of word has slipped past the barrier of your teeth!  Disastrous (man that you are), would that you were in command of some other pitiful army and not be king over us, (men) on whom Zeus has imposed the burden of grievous wars from youth to old age, until we pine away, each one (of us). Are you really so keen to leave behind the broad-paved city of Troy, for the sake of which we have endured so many evils? Be silent, lest some other of the Achaeans hear these words, which no man should let pass through his mouth, (no) man (that is) who knows in his heart (what are) the right (things) to say, and who is a sceptered (king) and (one) whom as many hosts obey as the Argives, among whom you rule. But now I blame you entirely for the thoughts which you have uttered; (you it is) who bids (us), when war and battle have been joined, to haul our well-benched ships down to the sea, so that the Trojans, victorious as they already are, may gain even more of what they wish for, and utter destruction may fall upon us. For the Achaeans will not carry on fighting once the ships have been drawn to the sea, but they will look around as if to flee, and withdraw from the battle. Then will your plan prove disastrous, (you) leader of the hosts." 

Ll. 103-152.  Poseidon encourages the Achaeans to go on fighting. 

Then, Agamemnon, king of men, answered him: "O Odysseus, I do not require the sons of the Achaeans to drag the well-benched ships down to the sea against their will. But now let there be someone, whether he be young or old, who can propose a better plan than this; for it would be welcome to me."   

Then, Diomedes, good at the war-cry, also spoke among them: "That man (is) here; we shall not need to seek (him) for very long, if you are willing to be persuaded and not to feel any angry resentment, anyone of you, that I am the youngest among you in years; but I too claim to be from a noble father by birth, Tydeus (that is), whose (body) a mound of earth covers in Thebes (i.e. he was one of the Seven against Thebes and had been killed in an unsuccessful assault on that city). For three peerless sons were born to Portheus, and they dwelt in Pleuron and steep Calydon  - Agrius and Melas, and the third was the horseman Oeneus, the father of my father: and in valour he was pre-eminent among them. But, while he continued to live there, my father moved away and settled in Argos; for, doubtless, Zeus and the other gods so willed (it). And he wedded (one) of the daughters of Adrastus (i.e. the king of Argos during the war of the Seven against Thebes), and lived in a house rich in substance, and he had wheat-bearing fields in plenty, and there were many rows of trees round about, and he owned many flocks of sheep; and he surpassed all the Achaeans in his (use of the) spear; of these (things) it seems likely that you will know whether they are true. Therefore, you will not say that I am a coward and a weakling by birth, and so despise any spoken counsel that I may have said well. Come then, we must go back to the fighting, even though (we are) wounded. When (we are) there, let us keep away from the missiles of the battle-field, lest, by chance, one (of us) should get a wound on wound; but the others we shall encourage and send in (to battle), even (those) who have previously given way to their own feelings, and have stood aloof and not fought."

So he spoke, and they listened to him readily and obeyed; then they went their way, and Agamemnon, king of men, led them. 

Now, the famous Earthshaker (i.e. Poseidon) was not keeping a blind man's watch; but he went with them in the shape of an old man, and he took hold of the right hand of Agamemon, son of Atreus, and in addressing him he spoke these winged words: "Son of Atreus, the baneful heart of Achilles is doubtless now rejoicing in his breast when he sees the slaughter and headlong flight of the Achaeans, since he has no sense, (no,) not even a small amount. But so may he perish and may some god bring him down; but in no way are the blessed gods utterly resentful of you, but even yet do I believe that the leaders and rulers of the Trojans will raise the dust of the wide plain, and you yourself will behold (them) fleeing to their city from your ships and your huts."

Ll. 153-192.  Hera plans to distract Zeus by the beauty of her appearance. 

Now, golden-throned Hera looked with her eyes, as she stood on a peak of Olympus, and at once she recognised him (i.e. Poseidon) as he went busily across the battle-field where men win glory, her own brother and her husband's brother, and she rejoiced at heart; and Zeus she saw seated on the highest peak of Ida with its many springs, and he was hateful to her heart. Then, ox-eyed queenly Hera wondered how she might completely deceive the mind of aegis-bearing Zeus; and this seemed to her (to be) the best plan, to go to Ida, having beautifully adorned herself, (to see) if he might perhaps desire to lie beside her body in love-making, and she might cast a warm and gentle sleep upon his eyelids and his sagacious mind. So, she went her way to her chamber, which her dear son Hephaestus had made for her, and he had fitted strong doors to the door-posts with a secret bolt that no other god might open; (and) there she entered and closed the bright doors. First, she cleansed all the dirt from her lovely body with ambrosia, and then she richly anointed herself with sweet ambrosial oil, which was itself full of perfume; if it had been shaken in the palace of Zeus with its threshold of bronze, its scent would still have reached earth and heaven. With it she anointed her beautiful body, and she combed her loose flowing hair, and with her hands she made plaits of her bright locks of hair, fair and ambrosial (as they were), (coming) from her immortal head. Then, she put an ambrosial robe around herself, which Athene had made for her with great adornment, and on it she embroidered many decorations; and she fastened (it) over her breast with golden brooches. And she girded herself with a girdle fitted with a hundred tassels, and into her pierced ear-lobes she put earrings richly wrought with three bright drops; and much beauty shone from (them). Then did that most divine of goddesses with a bright newly-made veil; and it was bright like the sun; and she bound fine sandals under her shining feet. But, when she had put every adornment around her body, she went forth from her chamber, and, having summoned Aphrodite aside from the other gods, she said these words to (her): "Will you now oblige me to some extent, dear child, in terms of what I shall say, or will you refuse me, being angry in your heart at the (fact) that I (am helping) the Danaans, and you are helping the Trojans?" 

Ll. 193-241.  Hera borrows Aphrodite's belt. 

Then, Aphrodite, daughter of Zeus, answered her: "Hera, august goddess, daughter of great Cronos, say what is in your mind; my heart bids me do (it), if I can do (it), and if it is (something) that can be done."

Queenly Hera replied to her with deceitful intentions: "Now give me that (charm of) love and desire, by which you subdue all immortals and mortal men. For I am going to visit the ends of the bountiful earth, and Ocean, the source of the gods, and mother Tethys, (the ones) who well-nourished and reared me in their halls, after they had taken (me) from Rhea, when far-seeing Zeus forced Cronos to settle beneath the earth and the barren sea; so them I am going to see, and I shall settle their endless strife; for they have, each one of them, held aloof for a long time now from the marriage-bed and from love-making, since anger entered into their hearts. If by persuading them in their hearts, I might bring them back to their marriage-bed to be united in love-making, I should ever be called dear by them and worthy of their regard."

The laughter-loving Aphrodite replied to her again: "It is not possible, nor is it right, that I should refuse what you ask. For you sleep enfolded in the arms of Zeus, the noblest (of the gods)."

(So) she spoke, and from her bosom she loosed her many-coloured band embroidered band, and it was there that all her charms were fashioned; in (it) there (is) love, and in (it there is) desire, and in (it there is) the allurement of fond discourse, which even steals the wits of those of good sense. She put this into her hands, and addressed (her) by speaking these words: "Here now, lay upon your bosom this many-coloured band, in which all (things) are fashioned; nor do I think you will return unsuccessful in regard to whatever you desire in your heart."

So she spoke, and ox-eyed queenly Hera smiled, and then, as she smiled, she laid the band in her bosom. 

Then, Aphrodite, the daughter of Zeus, went to her house, but Hera darted away and left the peak of Olympus, and came to Pieria (i.e. the region of Thessaly around Mount Olympus) and lovely Emathia (i.e. the ancient name for Macedonia), and she sped across the snowy hills of the horse-herding Thracians (and over) their highest peaks; nor did she touch the ground with her feet; and from Athos (i.e. a mountainous promontory in the northern Aegean) she went across the swelling sea and arrived at Lemnos (i.e. an island in the northeastern Aegean), the city of godlike Thoas (i.e. the son of Dionysus and Ariadne, and father of Hypsipyle). There she met Sleep, the brother of Death, and she clasped him by the hand and addressed him by speaking these words: "Sleep, lord of all gods and all men, as you have hearkened to my word in the past, so now do what I ask once more, and I shall feel gratitude towards you all my days. Close the bright eyes of Zeus beneath his brows in sleep, as soon as I shall have lain at his side in love-making. Then, I will give you gifts, a fine throne made of gold, ever imperishable; and my son Hephaestus, (he who is) lame in both feet, shall design (it) and make (it for you), and he will set a footstool beneath (it), on which you can rest your shining feet when you are feasting at a banquet."    

Ll. 242-269.  In order to overcome Sleep's reluctance to meet her request, Hera offers him one of the Graces in marriage. 

Then, sweet Sleep said to her in reply: "Hera, august goddess, daughter of great Cronos, another of the gods who live forever might I readily lull to sleep, even the streams of the river of Ocean, the source who has created all (of them); but to Zeus, son of Cronos, I shall not come nearer, nor lull to sleep, unless he bids (me do so). For a behest of yours has already taught me a lesson on another occasion, on the day when that high-spirited son of Zeus (i.e. Heracles) sailed from Ilium, after he had sacked the city of the Trojans. In truth, I put to sleep the mind of Zeus who bears the aegis (by) shedding my sweetness all around (him); and you devised evil (things) in your heart against his (son), when you aroused blasts of harsh winds over the deep, and then did you carry him away to well-peopled Cos (i.e. an island in the south-eastern Aegean off the south-west coast of Asia Minor), far away from all his friends. But, when he awoke, he was full of wrath, and tossed gods to and fro around his palace, and he sought for me above all (others); and he would have hurled me from heaven into the sea to be seen no more, if Night, the tamer of gods and men, had not saved (me); I came to her in my flight, and despite his anger he (i.e. Zeus) refrained. For he was anxious lest he should do (things that were) displeasing to swift Night. Now again you are asking me to undertake this other impossible (task)."

Then, ox-eyed queenly Hera spoke to him again: "Sleep, why in truth do you feel so strongly about these (things) in your mind? Do you really think that far-seeing Zeus (will feel the same anger) in support of the Trojans, as the anger he showed on behalf of his own son? But come (now), and I shall give you one of the younger Graces, to be married (to you) and to be called your wife, Pasithea (that is), for whom you have ever longed all your days."

Ll. 270-311.  Hera, secretly accompanied by Sleep, visits Zeus on Mount Ida.

So she spoke, and Sleep rejoiced and said in reply: "Come now, swear to me by the inviolable water of the Styx, and take hold of the bountiful earth with one hand and the sparkling sea with the other, so that all the gods who are below with Cronos  may be our witnesses that you will give me one of the younger Graces, (namely) Pasithea, whom I myself have longed for all my days." 

So he spoke, and the white-armed goddess Hera did not dissent, but swore the oath as he had bade (her), and she named all the gods who live beneath Tartarus, who are called Titans (i.e. the sons and daughters of Uranus and Gaia). But, when she had sworn and completed the oath, the two (of them) set out and left the cities of Lemnos and Imbros (i.e. islands in the northern Aegean), (and,) covering themselves in mist, they went swiftly on their way. And they came to Ida (i.e. a mountain near Troy, and the favourite seat of Zeus) with its many springs, the mother of wild beasts, to Lecton (i.e. the westernmost promontory of Anatolia, situated between the islands of Tenedos and Lesbos), where they first left the sea; and they went on over dry land, and the tops of the trees shook beneath their feet. There Sleep came to a halt, before the eyes of Zeus could behold (him), and he climbed up into an exceedingly high fir-tee, which (was) the tallest that was ever produced on Ida, and it reached up through the mists into the upper air; here he perched, covered closely by the pine branches, in the shape of a clear-voiced bird of augury, which in the mountains gods call a 'chalcis' (i.e. a bronze-bird) and men a 'cymindis' (i.e. night-hawk).  

But Hera went swiftly onwards towards Gargaron, the summit of lofty Ida; and Zeus, the cloud-gatherer, saw (her). And when he saw (her), so love enveloped the thoughts of his heart, just as when they first joined in love-making and went to bed (together), without telling their parents. And he stood before her and, in addressing (her) he said the following words: "With what desire, Hera, have you come down to this (place) from Olympus? But the horses and chariot which you could have mounted are not here."

Then, queenly Hera answered him with a deceitful purpose (viz. she repeats the false story she told to Aphrodite in ll. 200-210 above): "I am going to the ends of the bountiful earth to visit Ocean, the source of the gods and mother Tethys, (the ones) who well-nourished and reared me in their halls; them I am going to see, and I shall settle their endless strife; for they have, each of them, held aloof for a long time from the marriage-bed and love-making, since anger entered their hearts. And my horses stand at the foot of Mount Ida with its many fountains, and they are ready to carry me over the dry and the wet (i.e. over land and water). But now I have come down here to this (place) from Olympus because of you, lest perhaps you should be angry with me afterwards, were I to go to the house of deep-flowing Ocean without a word (to you)."

Ll. 312-351.  Zeus makes love to Hera.  

Then, Zeus the cloud-gatherer spoke to her in reply: "Hera, you can make your journey there later. But come (now), let us go to bed and find pleasure in love-making; for never yet has desire for a goddess or a mortal woman so flooded the heart in my breast and overpowered me, (no,) not even when I fell in love with the wife of Ixion, who bore Peirithoüs (i.e. king of the Thessalian Lapiths and friend of Theseus), (who was) equal to the gods as a counsellor, nor when (I fell in love) with Danaë, the lovely-ankled daughter of Acrisius, who bore Perseus, the most glorious of men; nor when (I fell in love) with the daughter of the far-famed Phoenix (i.e. Europa), who bore me Minos and godlike Rhadamanthus; nor when (I fell in love) with Semele or Alcmene in Thebes, (she) who gave birth to a son, the stout-hearted Heracles; and Semele bore Dionysus (i.e. the God of Wine), the joy of mortals; nor when (I fell in love) with queen Demeter (i.e. the Goddess of Agriculture) with her lovely hair, nor when (I fell in love) with glorious Leto (i.e. the mother of Apollo and Artemis), nor with you, yourself, as the love I now have for you, and as sweet desire has taken hold of me."   

Then, queenly Hera answered him with crafty intent: "Most dread son of Cronos, what things you have said! If now you long to lie in love-making on the peaks of Ida, and all (things) are open to view, what would happen if one of the everlasting gods should behold us sleeping and point (us) out to all the gods? I could not go back to your house, for it would be (something) worthy of shame. But, if is your wish and it is dear to your heart, you do have a bed-chamber, which my dear son Hephaestus constructed for you, and he fitted strong doors to the door-posts; there let us go and lie down, since bed is now delightful to you."

Then, Zeus the cloud-gatherer spoke to her in reply: "Hera, do not fear any of the gods or men shall behold such a thing; with this golden cloud I shall enfold you; (for) not even Helios might discern the two of us, (he) whose light is the sharpest (of all) to behold things."

So speaking, the son of Cronos took his wife into his arms; and beneath them the divine earth put forth budding grass, and dewy clover, and saffron, and hyacinth, thick and soft, which kept them away from the ground. In this (spot) they lay, and they were covered by a beautiful golden cloud; and glistening dew-drops fell from (it). 

Ll. 352-377.  Poseidon urges the Achaeans to fight on.

So the father slept calmly on the heights of Gargaron, subdued by sleep and love-making, and he held his wife in his arms; and sweet Sleep went running to the ships of the Achaeans to give the news to the Mover and Shaker of the Earth; and he stood near (him) and spoke these winged words: "Please now bring help to the Danaans, Poseidon, and bring them glory, if only for a short space of time, while Zeus still sleeps, since I have completely enveloped him in soft slumber; now Hera seduced him into lying down and making love (to her)." 

So he (i.e. Sleep) spoke, and away he went to (visit) the glorious tribes of men, but it made the other (i.e. Poseidon) yet more eager to bring help to the Danaans. And at once, with a great leap forward amongst the foremost (fighters), he exhorted (them thus): "Are we Argives willing to let victory go once more to Hector, son of Priam, so he can take our ships and win (himself) glory? But so he thinks and prays, because Achilles stays by the hollow ships with his heart full of wrath; but our longing for him will in no way be so great, if the rest of us should arouse ourselves to bring help to one another. But come now, let us all do as I say; let us don shields which (are) the strongest and the biggest in the army, and let us cover our heads with all-blazing helmets, and take the longest spears in our hands, and go forth; and I shall lead the way, nor do I think that Hector, son of Priam, will stay (here) any longer, great though his eagerness may be. And (he) who (is) a man staunch in battle, but has a small shield on his shoulder, let him give (it) to a poorer man, and let him clad himself in a larger shield."

Ll. 378-401.  The Achaeans and the Trojans clash once more in battle. 

So he spoke, and so they listened closely to him and obeyed (him); and the kings, wounded though (they were), supervised the (men), (namely) the son of Tydeus (i.e. Diomedes), Odysseus and Agamemnon, the son of Atreus; and they went about everywhere and effected the exchange of armour; the good (man) donned the good (armour), and gave the poorer (armour) to the poorer (man). Then, when they had put gleaming bronze around their bodies, they went on their way; and Poseidon the Earth-Shaker was their leader, holding in his stout hand his terrible long-pointed sword like a lightning-flash; it is not the right (thing) to engage with it in the sadness of battle, but fear holds men back. 

On the other side glorious Hector marshalled the Trojans. Then dark-haired Poseidon and glorious Hector strung out the most grim strife of war, with the latter indeed supporting the Trojans and the former the Argives; and they met with a mighty roar. The waves of the sea do not crash so loudly on the shore when driven from the deep by the cruel blast of the North Wind, nor (is) the roar of a fire blazing in the hollows of a mountain so loud, when it has stirred up the forest in its burning, nor does the wind shriek so loudly among the high crests of the oak-trees, (the wind) which roars particularly loudly when angry, as was the sound of the Trojans and the Achaeans, shouting fearfully, when they leapt at one another. 

Ll. 402-439.  Ajax wounds Hector. 

At Ajax did glorious Hector first cast his spear, since he was turned directly towards him, nor did he miss, but (he hit him in the place) where two straps were stretched across his chest, one indeed (holding) his shield, and the other his silver-studded sword; and they guarded his tender flesh. And Hector was angry that his swift spear had flown from his hand without result, and he fell back into the throng of his comrades, avoiding fate. But then, as he went back, great Telamonian Ajax (struck) him with a large stone, such as the many props of the swift ships that rolled amidst their feet as they fought, and he lifted one of these and smote (him) on the chest, just below the neck over the rim (of his shield), and sent him whirling like a top, and he staggered around in every direction. And, just as when an oak-tree should fall by the roots beneath the blast of father Zeus, and the dread reek of sulphur comes from it, and courage no longer possesses the man who, who, being nearby, should look at (it), for fearsome is the thunderbolt of mighty Zeus, so should the strength of Hector fall swiftly to the ground in the dust; and the spear fell from his hand, and his shield and his helmet were fixed on to him, and his armour, wrought with bronze, rang round about him. Then, the sons of the Achaeans ran up shouting loudly, hoping to drag (him) away, and they hurled a dense (volley of) spears; but no one was able to wound or to strike the shepherd of the host; for, ere that (should happen), the leading (men) stood over (him), (namely) Polydamas, and Aeneas, and godlike Agenor, and Sarpedon, the leader of the Lycians, and the peerless Glaucus. And none of the others neglected him, but they held their round shields in front of him. And his comrades lifted him up in their arms, and bore him from the toil (of battle), until they came to the swift horses that were standing with their driver and their embellished chariot behind the fighting and the (place of) battle; then, they carried him to the city groaning heavily. 

But, when they came to the ford of the fair-flowing river of the swirling Xanthus (i.e. the Scamander), which immortal Zeus begot (i.e. this refers to the river god), there they took him from the chariot to the ground, and poured water on him; and he took breath and looked up with his eyes, and, squatting on his knees, he vomited forth black blood; then, he sank back again to the ground, and black night covered both his eyes, and the blow still subdued his spirit.  

Ll. 440-474.  The fierce fighting continues.      

Now, when the Argives saw Hector going away, they sprang at the Trojans all the more, and thought of the joy of battle. Then, swift Ajax, son of Oïleus, (was) by far the foremost, and, as he leapt at (him) with his spear, he wounded Satnius, the son of Enops, whom a peerless water-nymph (i.e. a Naiad) had borne to Enops, as he was grazing his cattle by the banks of the Satnioïs (i.e. a river of the Troad). To him did the son of Oïleus, famed for his spear, draw near; and he (i.e. Satnius) fell on his back, and all around him the Trojans and the Danaans came together in fierce combat. To defend him came the spearman Polydamas, son of Panthoüs, and he struck Prothoënor, son of Areïlycus, in the right shoulder, and the spear kept on going right through his shoulder, and he fell in the dust and clawed the earth with his hand. And Polydamas exulted greatly, and cried aloud: "In truth I do not think that the spear has been hurled in vain from the stout hand of the great-hearted son of Panthoüs, but one of the Argives has got (it) in the flesh, and I think he will go down to the house of Hades supported by it (i.e. using it as a crutch)."   

So he spoke, and pain came upon the Argives because of his boasting; and he especially moved to anger the heart of the warrior Ajax, the son of Telamon (that is), for he (i.e. Prothoënor) fell (when he was) especially close to him. Then did he (i.e. Telamonian Ajax) swiftly cast at him (i.e. Polydamas) with his shining spear. But Polydamas himself avoided black fate (by) jumping sideways, and Archelochus, son of Antenor, got (it); for, in his case, the gods had decreed his destruction. He (i.e. Telamonian Ajax) smote him at the junction of his head and neck, at the topmost joint of the spine, and it sheared through both of the tendons; and far sooner did his head, and his mouth and his nose hit the ground, as he fell, than (did) his legs and his knees. Then Ajax shouted in turn to peerless Polydamas: "Think about (it), Polydamas, and tell me truly - for, in truth, (is) not (the fact) that this man (i.e. Archelochus) has been killed a fair exchange for Prothoënor? For he does not appear to me a mean (man) or (a man) of inferior (stock), but (to be) the brother of Antenor, tamer of horses, or his son; for he seemed the nearest to him in family."  

Ll. 475-505.  An even battle rages, but the Achaeans gradually gain the upper hand. 

So he spoke, knowing (the truth) full well, and pain seized the hearts of the Trojans. Then, Acamas, stepping around his brother's (body), stabbed the Boeotian Promachus with his spear; he was trying to drag (him) away by the feet. Then, Acamas exulted over him fearfully, and cried out loudly: "(You) Argives, full of threats (as you are), there shall surely not be toil and woe for us only, but you too will be killed at some time in this way. Consider how your Promachus sleeps, vanquished by by my spear, so that the blood-price for my brother will not be unpaid for long; so a man prays that he has a kinsman left in his house to avenge his destruction."

So he spoke, and pain came upon the Argives because of his exulting; and in particular did he arouse to anger the heart of the warrior Peneleos; and he rushed at Acamas; nor did he withstand the charge of lord Peneleos; but he (i.e. Peneleos) stabbed the son of Phorbas, rich in flocks, whom Hermes loved the most among the Trojans, and had bestowed property (on him); and for him did his mother bear Ilioneus as an only (child). Then him did he smite below the brow at the base of his eyes, and he knocked out an eyeball; and the spear came out through his eye-socket and through the nape of his neck, and he sat down and stretched out both his arms; but Peneleos drew his sharp sword and smote (him) in the middle of the neck and struck his head to the ground together with its helmet; and, holding (it) up like the head of a poppy, he showed (it) to the Trojans and smoke these words in an exultant voice: "On my behalf, (you) Trojans, tell the dear father and mother of noble Ilioneus to weep in their halls; for neither will the wife of Promachus, son of Alegenor, have the joy of her dear husband returning, when we, the sons of the Achaeans, shall leave Troy with our ships." 

Ll. 506-522.  Ajax and his companions wreak havoc on the Trojans.

So he spoke, and trembling came upon the limbs of them all, and each (man) looked about (him to see) how he might escape utter destruction. Now tell me, (you) Muses that have dwellings on Olympus who (was) the first of the Achaeans to win the bloody spoils of a dead man, when the renowned Earthshaker (i.e. Poseidon) swayed (the fortunes of) the battle. Telamonian Ajax (was) the first (when) he stabbed Hyrtius, son of Gyrtias, (he who was) the leader of the stout-hearted Mysians (n.b. Mysia was a region in the northwest of Anatolia to the east of the Troad); then Antilochus (i.e. the eldest son of Nestor) slew Phalces and Mermerus, and Meriones (i.e. the second-in-command of the Cretans) killed Morys and Hippotion; and Teucer (i.e. the son of Telamon and the half-brother of Ajax the Greater) slew Prothoön and Periphates; then, the son of Atreus (i.e. Menelaus) stabbed Hyperenor, shepherd of the host, in the loins and the bronze cut (him) down and drew out his entrails; and his soul sped swiftly through the wound (that had been) inflicted, and darkness covered his eyes. But Ajax, the swift son of Oïleus (i.e. Ajax the Lesser), slew the most; for there was no one equal to him in pursuing on foot men (who were) fleeing, when Zeus had stirred (them) into flight.