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When they were near Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage to the mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village that is opposite to us, and you will immediately find an ass tied and a colt with her. Free and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them. He will immediately release them to you.” This was done so that it might be fulfilled that was spoken through the prophet: “Behold, your King comes to you meek and mounted on an ass, yes, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had commanded them, and brought the ass and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and He sat upon them.
Some of the crowd took their cloaks or cut branches and spread them in the road. They went before Him, and those that followed cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest.”
As He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” The crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, who is from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Jesus entered into the temple of God and cast out all that sold and bought in the temple. He overturned the tables and seats of the money changers and those that sold doves. He said to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ However, you make it a den of robbers.”
There came to Him the blind and the handicap and He cured them. The chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children cried out in the temple and said, “Hosanna to the Son of David.”
The chief priests and scribes were displeased and said to Him, “Do you hear what they say?” Jesus said to them, “Yes! Have you never read that out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, you have prepared praise?”
Jesus left them and went to Bethany and spent the night there. In the morning as He returned to the city. He was hungry. Seeing a fig tree on the road, He went up to it, finding nothing on it but leaves, He said to it, “Forever, let fruit grow from you no more.” The fig tree immediately withered.
The disciples, seeing it, were amazed, “How did the fig tree immediately wither?” Jesus answered, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you will not only do this to the fig tree, but if you say even to this mountain, be taken up, and be thrown into the sea, it will be done. All things whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
He went to the temple to teach. As He taught, the chief priests and elders came to Him, saying, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
Jesus said to them, “I also will ask you a question, which if you tell me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it of heaven or of men?” They reasoned with themselves, “If we say, ‘Of heaven’, He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ If we say, ‘Of men,’ we fear the crowd. All hold John as a prophet.”
They answered that they did not know. He said to them, “Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things, but what do you think? A man had two sons. Coming to the first he said, ‘Son, go, work today in the vineyard,’ but he said, ‘I will not.’ Afterward, he regretted it and went.
“Coming to the other son he said in like manner. He said, ‘I go, sir,’ but didn’t go.
“Which of the two did the will of the father?” They said, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that the prostitutes and tax collectors will go before you into the kingdom of God. John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you believed him not. The prostitutes and tax collectors believed him. You, when you saw it, afterward felt no regret that you didn’t believe him.
“Hear another parable –
“The master of a house planted a vineyard and put a hedge around it. Dug in it a wine press and built a tower, and let it out to vinedressers, and went into another country. When the season of the fruits drew near, he sent servants to the vinedressers to receive his fruits. The vinedressers...
Jesus again spoke to them in parables, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who made a marriage for his son. He sent forth his servants to inform those that had been called to the marriage, but they would not come.
“Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who have been called that I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and the fallings are killed, and all things are ready, come to the marriage.’
“They were careless and went away, one to his farm, another to his merchandise. The rest, laying hold on his servants, outraged and slew them.
“The king was angry, and sending his armies, he destroyed the murderers, and their city was set on fire. Then he said to his servants, ‘The marriage indeed is ready, but those who were called were not worthy. Go to the crossroads, and whoever you find, call them to the marriage.’
“The servants went out into the roads and brought together all those they found, both bad and good, and the bridechamber was filled with guests. When the king came in to look upon the guests, he saw a man that did not have a wedding garment on.
“He said to him, ‘Friend, why do you come here and not have a wedding garment on?’ However, he was silent.
“Then the king said to the waiters, ‘Bind his feet and hands and cast him into the darkness that is without.’
“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Many are called, but few chosen.”
The Pharisees left and took counsel that they might catch Him in His words. They sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God in truth. Tell us, what do you think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?” Jesus knowing their wickedness said, “Why tempt me, hypocrites? Show me the tribute money.”
They brought Him a denarius. Jesus said to them, “Whose image is this?” They said, “Caesar's.”
Then He said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” Hearing they wondered, and leaving Him, they went away.
The Sadducees came to Him saying that there is no resurrection. They asked Him, “Teacher Moses said: ‘If anyone dies...
Then Jesus spoke to His disciples as well as the crowds, “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Whatever they bid you, do and observe, but do not do it according to their works. They say and do, not.
“They bind heavy burdens and lay them on the shoulders of men, but they will not move one of their fingers.
“All their works they do so to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge their fringes. They love the first sitting places at suppers and the first seats in the synagogues, the salutations in the markets, and to be called by men Rabbi.
“Do not be called Rabbi. One is your teacher, and you all are brethren.
“Call no one on earth your father. Your Father is the heavenly one.
“Neither be called leaders. One is your leader, the Anointed One.
“The greatest of you will be your minister. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled. Whoever will humble himself will be exalted.
“Woe scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. You eat up the houses of widows and for a pretext, make long prayers. For this reason, you will receive the greater condemnation.
“Woe scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. You compass sea and land to make one proselyte. When he is made, you make him twofold more a child of the grave than yourselves.
“Woe blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing, but whoever will swear by the gold of the temple is a debtor.’ Fools and blind. Which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
“Blind! Which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? He that swears by the altar swears by it and by all that is on it. He that swears by the temple swears by it, and by him that dwells in it. He that swears by heaven swears by the throne of God, and by him that sits upon it.
“Woe scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cummin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, the justice, the mercy, and the faithfulness. These you should have done, and those you should not have left undone. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but swallow the camel.
“Woe scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, but within, they are full of rapine...
Jesus departed from the temple, and His disciples came to Him pointing out the buildings of the temple. He said to them, “See all these things? Truly I say to you, there will not be left a stone upon a stone that will not be thrown down.”
As He sat upon the Mount of Olives, His disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of the coming and of the conclusion of the age?” Jesus said to them, “See that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Anointed One,’ and will deceive many.
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled. This must be, but it is not yet the end. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
“All these things are the beginning of pains. Then they will deliver you up to affliction and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name.
“Many will be offended and deliver up and hate one another.
“False prophets will rise and deceive many. Iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold, but he that endures to the end, he will be saved.
“The gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all nations, and then will the end come.
“When you see the abomination of desolation that was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, then let those that are in Judea flee to the mountains.
“He that is on the housetop, let him not come down to take his goods. He that is in the field, let him not turn back to take his garment. Woe for them that are with child, and them that give suck in those days. Pray that your flight may not be in winter nor on a Sabbath. There will be great affliction, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, nor will ever be.
“Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh will be saved, but because of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened.
“If anyone says to you, ‘Lo, here is or there is the Anointed One,’ believe it not. False Anointed Ones and prophets will rise and will give great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the chosen ones. I have told you beforehand. If then they say to you, ‘Behold, he is in the desert,’ go not forth. ‘Behold, he is in the secret chambers,’ believe not. As the lightning comes forth from the east and shines to the west, so will the coming of the Son of man be. Wherever the carcass is, the eagles come together.
“Immediately after the affliction of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give her light, the stars will fall from the heavens, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven. All the tribes of the land will wail and will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will send his angels with a great trumpet. To gather his chosen ones from the four winds and from the ends of the heavens.
“From the fig tree learn the parable...
Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish took the lamps and no oil, but the wise took oil in the vessels with lamps.
“While the bridegroom delayed, they fell asleep. At midnight, a cry was made, ‘Behold the bridegroom. Go out to meet him.’
“Then all the virgins rose, and they adorned their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us oil, for our lamps are going out.’ The wise said, ‘Perhaps there will not be enough for us and you, go rather to those that sell and buy for yourselves.’
“While they were going to buy, the bridegroom came. They that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut, but afterwards came the other virgins, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us.’ He said, ‘Truly I say to you, I don’t know you.’
“Watch for you know not the day nor the hour.
“As a man, on leaving home, called his servants and delivered to them his goods. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his own ability, and left home.
“He that had received the five talents went and traded and made another five talents. In like manner, he that had received the two gained another two, but he that had received the one went and dug a hole and hid his lord's money.
“After a long time, the lord comes and takes up a settlement with them. He that had received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, five talents you gave to me, see, another five talents I have gained.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a few things I will set you over many. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“He that had received the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, two talents you gave to me, see, another two talents I have gained.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a few things I will set you over many. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“He that had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I know you are a hard man, reaping where you don’t sow and gathering what you don’t scatter. Being afraid, I went and hid your talent in a hole. Lo, you have your own.’ His lord answered, ‘Wicked and slothful servant, it behooved you then to not put my money with the bankers, and on coming, I could have received my own with interest. Take then from him the talent and give it to him that has the ten talents.’
“To everyone that has will be given, and he will have abundance. From him that has not, even that which he has will be taken...
When Jesus had finished, He said to His disciples, “You know that in two days is the Passover, and the Son of man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
The chief priests and elders came together in the court of the chief priest Caiaphas. They took counsel that they might take Jesus by cunning and kill Him. They said, “Not during the feast, unless trouble rises among the people.”
While Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, there came to Him a woman with an alabaster box of very costly ointment, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. The disciples seeing it were displeased, “Why was this wasted? This could have been sold for much and given to the poor.” Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, “Why trouble this woman? She has done a good work. You always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. She, in pouring this ointment on my body, has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel will be preached in the world, this also which she has done will be told for a memorial of her.”
Then Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me to deliver Him to you?” They gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time, he sought an opportunity that he might deliver Him up.
On the first day of the unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare the Passover feast?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, my time is at hand, with you I keep the Passover with my disciples.’”
The disciples did as Jesus had commanded them and prepared for the Passover. When evening came, He sat at the table with the twelve disciples. As they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will deliver me up.”
Being very sad they began each one to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” He answered, “He that dips the hand with me into the dish will deliver me up. The Son of man indeed goes as it is written of him. Woe for that man, by whom the Son of man is delivered up, it would have been better for that man to not have been born.”
Judas Iscariot, who delivered Him up, said, “Rabbi, is it me?” Jesus said, “You have said it.”
As they were eating, Jesus blessed the bread, broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take, eat! This is my body.”
He took the cup, and having given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you. This is my blood of the New Covenant, that is shed for the remission of sins. I say to you, I will not drink this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.”
They sang a hymn and went out into the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be offended because of me tonight. It is written: ‘I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ After I have risen, I will go before you into Galilee.” Peter said to Him, “Though all should be offended because of you, I will never be offended.”
Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that on this night, before a cock will have crowed, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Though it should be necessary for me to die with you, I will not deny you.” In like manner also said all the disciples.
Then Jesus came with them to Gethsemane, and He said to the disciples, “Sit here until I go and pray yonder.”
He took with him Peter, James and John, and began to be in grief and anguish. Then He said to them, “My soul is encompassed with sorrow even to death. Stay here and watch with me.”
Going forward a little, He fell upon his face in prayer and said, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Not as I will, but as you will.”
He came to His disciples and found them sleeping. Then He said to Peter, “So you didn't have the strength to watch over me for one hour? Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Again a second time, He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this can’t pass away unless I drink it your will be done.”
He came again and found them sleeping. Leaving them, He again went away and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then He went to the disciples and said, “Sleep the remaining time and rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Behold, he is at hand that delivers me up.” As He was speaking, Judas came with a great crowd that were carrying swords and clubs from the chief priests and elders.
Judas had given them a sign, saying, “The One that I will kiss is He. Hold Him fast.” Immediately, he came to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” And kissed Him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, for what purpose have you come?”
Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and held Him fast. One of those who were with Jesus drew his sword, struck the servant of the chief priest, and cut off his ear. Jesus said to him, “Put your sword into its place. All that take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I can’t call upon my Father, and He would bring more than twelve legions of angels to stand by me? How then will the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be?”
At the same time, Jesus said to the crowds...
In the morning, the chief priests and elders held a discussed how they might put Jesus to death. They then bound and led Him away, delivering Him to Pontius Pilate, the governor.
When Judas saw that He was condemned, he was stung with remorse. He brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by having delivered up innocent blood.” They said, “What is it to us? You saw to it.”
Throwing the pieces of silver into the temple, he withdrew, and hung himself. The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the sacred treasury because they are the price of blood.”
They took the silver to the potter's field, a burial place for strangers, for Jesus. That field has been called the field of blood to this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet: “They took the thirty pieces, the price of him who had a price set upon him, on whom they of the sons of Israel set a price, and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me.”
Jesus stood before the governor. The governor asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say it.”
While the chief priests and elders accused Him, He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him, “Do you hear the many things they testify against you?” He answered him not even one word so that the governor was greatly amazed.
At every feast, the governor released one prisoner of their choosing to the crowd. One notorious prisoner was Barabbas. When they had come together, Pilate said to them, “Who will you have me release to you, Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Anointed One?” He knew that for envy they had delivered Him up.
While he sat on the judgment seat, his wife came to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just man. I have suffered much this day in a dream because of Him.”
The chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor said to them, “Which of these will you have me release to you?” They said, “Barabbas.”
Pilate asked them, “What then will I do with Jesus who is called the Anointed One?” They all said, “Let Him be crucified.” He said, “Why, what evil has He done?” They cried out more, “Let Him be crucified.”
Pilate, seeing that nothing worked, but rather that a ruckus was rising, took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this man. See you later.”
All the people answered, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” Then he released Barabbas, but Jesus, after he had scourged Him, delivered Him up to be crucified.
The soldiers took Jesus into the palace. They stripped Him and put a purple cloak on Him. Having plaited a crown of thorns they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. Bowing the knee before Him they mocked Him, “Hail, King of the Jews.” Having spit on Him they took the reed and struck His head.
After they had mocked Him, they took off the cloak and put His own garments on Him and led Him away to be crucified. Going out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon, and they impressed him to carry His cross.
When they had come to Golgotha, which is called the place of a skull, they gave Him to drink wine mingled with gall. When He tasted it, He would not drink.
When they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting a lot. Sitting down they watched Him there. They placed an inscription over His head – THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Crucified with Him were two robbers, one on the right and left.
They that passed by criticized Him, wagging their heads said, “You said you will destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, Son of God, and come down from the cross.”
In like manner the chief priests, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others, Himself He cannot. King of Israel, is He? Let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe...
After the Sabbath, as dawn began in the first of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb. There had been a great earthquake, and an angel of the Lord had descended from heaven and came, rolled away the stone and was sitting on it. The angel’s appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.
Fearful the grave guard had left, and the women also feared him. The angel answered, “Fear not! I know that you seek Jesus, but He is not here. He has risen as He said. Come, see the place where He laid. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead. He goes before them into Galilee. There they will see Him. Lo, I have told you.”
With fear and great joy, they quickly left the sepulcher. As they ran to bring His disciples word Jesus met them, saying, “Hail.” They laid hold of His feet and worshiped Him.
Then Jesus said to them, “Fear not! Tell my brethren to go into Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Some of the grave guards...