by Wells, Steve
(21.33) “There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard … and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.”
34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
(21.34) “When the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.”
35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
(21.35) “The husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.”
36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
(21.36) “He sent other servants … and they did unto them likewise.”
37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
(21.37) “Last of all he sent unto them his son.”
38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
(21.38-39) “But when the husbandmen saw the son … they caught him … and slew him.”
40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
(21.40-41) “The lord … of the vineyard … will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.”
42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
(21.44) “Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” Whoever falls on “this stone” (Jesus) will be broken, and whomever the stone falls on will be ground into powder.
45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
MATTHEW 22
(22.1-14) The parable of the wedding feast
The kingdom of heaven is, according to Jesus, like the king in this parable. If so, I'd stay away from there if I were you.
The parable begins with the king sending servants to invite everyone to come to his son's wedding feast. But they all made excuses for not coming, and some even killed the king's messengers. So the king sent an army to kill the people that killed his messengers, burning down the city, as well. The king sent out more servants, telling them to invite everyone, good or bad. At the banquet the king noticed that one guest didn't have on a wedding garment, so the king tied him up and “cast him into the outer darkness” where “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
22 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
(22.1-2) “Jesus … said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son.”
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
(22.3) “And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.”
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
(22.4-5) “Again, he sent forth other servants, saying … come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways.”
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
(22.6) “And the remnant took his servants … and slew them.”
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
(22.7) “The king … sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.”
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
(22.8-10) “Then saith he to his servants … as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage … both bad and good.”
318 Is anyone good?”
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
(22.11-12) “When the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.”
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(22.13) “Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot … and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
157 Does Hell exist?
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
(22.14) “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
(22.17-21) Pay your taxes. Keep state and church separate.
17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
(22.17) “What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar?”
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
(22.18-19) “Jesus … said … Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.”
20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
(22.20) “He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?”
21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
(22.21) “They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.”
22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
(22.23-30) There is no sex or marriage in heaven. (Married people either don't go to heaven or they get divorced after arriving. Marriages aren't made in heaven; they die there.)
23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
(22.23) “The Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection … asked him,”
24 Saying, Master,
Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
(22.24) “Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.”
25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
(22.25) “Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother.”
26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27 And last of all the woman died also.
(22.26-27) “Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also.”
28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
(22.28) “In the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.”
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
(22.29-30) “Jesus answered … in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels.”
31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(22.39) “Love they neighbor as thyself.” Jesus quotes Leviticus 19.18, by far the best verse in Leviticus, and one of the best in the entire bible.
128 How should nonbelievers be treated?
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
(22.41-45) Jesus claims to be the Christ, but not the son of David.
376 Was Jesus the son of David?
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
(22.41) “While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,”
42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
(22.42) “What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.”
43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
(22.45) “If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?”
46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
MATTHEW 23
23 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
(23.3-5) “Do not ye after their works … all their works they do for to be seen of men.”
339 Should we let others see our good works?
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
(23.9) “Call no man your father upon the earth.” Not even dear old dad? Was it OK for Elisha to cry out “father, father” as Elijah ascended into heaven? (2 Kg.2.12)
107 How should parents be treated?
108 Is it OK to call anyone “Father”?
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
(23.10) “Neither be ye called masters.” But elsewhere slaves are told to faithfully serve their masters, and women are told to serve and obey their husbands.
42 Does God approve of slavery?
336 Should we serve God alone?
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
(23.13-36) Jesus calls his critics fools (among other things like hypocrites and vipers), thus making himself eligible for “hell fire.” (Mt 5.22)
297 Is it OK to call someone a fool?
13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
(23.13) “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”
14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
(23.14) “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! … Ye shall receive the greater damnation.”
15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
(23.15) “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”
16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
(23.16) “Woe unto you, ye blind guides.”
17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
(23.17) “Ye fools and blind”
18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
(23.19) “Ye fools and blind”
20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
(23.23) “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”
24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
(23.24) “Ye blind guides”
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
(23.25) “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharis
ees, hypocrites!”
26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
(23.26) “Thou blind Pharisee”
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
(23.27) “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
(23.29) “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”
30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
(23.31) “Ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.”
32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
(23.33) “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”
34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
(23.35) “Upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias.” Jesus blames the Jews (who were then living) for “all the righteous blood” from Abel to Zecharias, whom he mistakenly calls “the son of Barachias” (see 2 Chr 24.20)
266 Who was Zechariah's father?