The Widow’s Two Mites
1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,
2and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.
3So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;
4“for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God,a but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”
Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple
5Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said,
6“These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”
The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age
7So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”
8And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Thereforeb do not go after them.
9“But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”
10Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11“And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
12“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.
13“But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
14“Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;
15“for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
16“You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
17“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.
18“But not a hair of your head shall be lost.
19“By your patience possess your souls.
The Destruction of Jerusalem
20“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Insight: Jerusalem Surrounded
21“Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
22“For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23“But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.
24“And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Coming of the Son of Man
25“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26“men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
The Parable of the Fig Tree
29Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
30“When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.
31“So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.
32“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.
33“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
The Importance of Watching
34“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
35“For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthyc to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet.
38Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.
The Plot to Kill Jesus
1Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.
2And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.
3Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.
4So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.
5And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.
6So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.
Jesus and His Disciples Prepare the Passover
7Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. Insight: Passover
8And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”
9So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?”
10And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters.
11“Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’
12“Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.”
13So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper
14When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelvea apostles with Him.
15Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;
16“for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
17Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves;
18“for I say to you,b I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
20Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
21“But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.
22“And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”
23Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.
The Disciples Argue About Greatness
24Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
25And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ Insight: First-Century Roman Politics
26“But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.
27“For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
28“But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.
29“And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,
30“that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31And the Lord said,c “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
32“But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
33But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”
34Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”
Supplies for the Road
35And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.”
36Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.
37“For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’d For the things concerning Me have an end.”
38So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”
The Prayer in the Garden
39Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. Focus: Pray Against Temptation
40When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
41And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed,
42saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
43Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.
44And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.e
45When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.
46Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”
Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane
47And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.
48But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”
50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.
52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
53“When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
Peter Denies Jesus, and Weeps Bitterly
54Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance.
55Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.
56And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” Focus: Before and After
57But he denied Him,f saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”
58And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
59Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.”
60But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the roosterg crowed.
61And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows,h you will deny Me three times.”
62So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
Jesus Mocked and Beaten
63Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him.
64And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him,i saying, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?”
65And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.
Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin
66As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying,
67“If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe.
68“And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go.j
69“Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.”
70Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.”
71And they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”
Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate
1Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate.
2And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting thea nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”
3Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”
4So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”
5But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”
Jesus Faces Herod
6When Pilate heard of Galilee,b he asked if the Man were a Galilean.
7And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
8Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Insight: Herod Meets Jesus
9Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.
10And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him.
11Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.
12That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.
Taking the Place of Barabbas
13Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,
14said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him;
15“no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him;c and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him.
16“I will therefore chastise Him and release Him”
17(for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).d
18And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”—
19who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.
20Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them.
21But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”
22Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.”
23But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.e
24So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested.
25And he released to themf the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
The King on a Cross
26Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.
27And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.
28But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29“For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’
30“Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’g
31“For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”
32There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.
33And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Insight: Crucifixion
34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”h And they divided His garments and cast lots.
35And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”
36The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine,
37and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
38And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:i
THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ,j save Yourself and us.”
40But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?
41“And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”
42Then he said to Jesus, “Lord,k remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
43And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Jesus Dies on the Cross
44Now it wasl about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
45Then the sun was darkened,m and the veil of the temple was torn in two.
46And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ”n Having said this, He breathed His last.
47So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”
48And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.
49But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Focus: Welcoming Women into the Kingdom
Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb
50Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.
51He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waitingo for the kingdom of God.
52This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
53Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.
54That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.
55And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.
56Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
He Is Risen
1Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them,a came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
2But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4And it happened, as they were greatlyb perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
5Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
6“He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
7“saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”
8And they remembered His words.
9Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.
11And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.
12But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lyingc by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.
The Road to Emmaus
13Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven milesd from Jerusalem.
14And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.
16But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.
17And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”e
18Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”
19And He said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20“and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.
21“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.
22“Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us.
23“When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.
24“And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”
25Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
26“Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”
27And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Insight: The Suffering Christ
The Disciples’ Eyes Opened
28Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther.
29But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.
30Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
31Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
32And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
33So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
34saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”
35And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
36Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”
37But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
38And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39“Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
40When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.f
41But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?”
42So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.g
43And He took it and ate in their presence.
The Scriptures Opened
44Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
45And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Focus: Jesus’ Last Words
46Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to riseh from the dead the third day,
47“and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48“And you are witnesses of these things.
49“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalemi until you are endued with power from on high.”
The Ascension
50And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
52And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53and were continually in the temple praising andj blessing God. Amen.k