Day 250 of 365

¹It happened on one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the Good News, that the chief priests and scribes came to him with the elders.

²They asked him, "Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?"

³He answered them, "I also will ask you one question. Tell me:

⁴the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from man?"

⁵They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why did you not believe him?'

⁶But if we say, 'From man,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."

⁷They answered that they did not know where it was from.

⁸Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

⁹He began to tell the people this parable. "A man planted a vineyard, and rented it out to some farmers, and went on a journey for a long time.

¹⁰At the proper season, he sent a servant to the farmers to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the farmers beat him, and sent him away empty.

¹¹He sent yet another servant, and they also beat him, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.

¹²He sent yet a third, and they also wounded him, and threw him out.

¹³The lord of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. It may be that they will respect him.'

¹⁴"But when the farmers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, 'This is the heir. Let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.'

¹⁵They threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them?

¹⁶He will come and destroy these farmers, and will give the vineyard to others." When they heard it, they said, "May it never be!"

¹⁷But he looked at them, and said, "Then what is this that is written, 'The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the chief cornerstone?'

¹⁸Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but it will crush whomever it falls on to dust."

¹⁹The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the people-for they knew he had spoken this parable against them.

²⁰They watched him, and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous, that they might trap him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor.

²¹They asked him, "Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right, and are not partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God.

²²Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"

²³But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them,

²⁴"Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?" They answered, "Caesar's."

²⁵He said to them, "Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

²⁶They weren't able to trap him in his words before the people. They marveled at his answer, and were silent.

²⁷Some of the Sadducees came to him, those who deny that there is a resurrection.

²⁸They asked him, "Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should take the wife, and raise up children for his brother.

²⁹There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless.

³⁰The second and

³¹the third took her, and likewise the seven all left no children, and died.

³²Afterward the woman also died.

³³Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them will she be? For the seven had her as a wife."

³⁴Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry, and are given in marriage.

³⁵But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage.

³⁶For they cannot die any more, for they are like the angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

³⁷But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord 'The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'

³⁸Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him."

³⁹Some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you speak well."

⁴⁰They did not dare to ask him any more questions.

⁴¹He said to them, "Why do they say that the Messiah is David's son?

⁴²David himself says in the scroll of Psalms, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand,

⁴³until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet."'

⁴⁴"David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son?"

⁴⁵In the hearing of all the people, he said to his disciples,

⁴⁶"Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts;

⁴⁷who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these will receive greater condemnation."

¹He looked up, and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury.

²He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins.

³He said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them,

⁴for all these put in gifts from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on."

⁵As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said,

⁶"As for these things which you see, the days will come, in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down."

⁷They asked him, "Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?"

⁸He said, "Watch out that you do not get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Therefore do not follow them.

⁹When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won't come immediately."

¹⁰Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

¹¹There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

¹²But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake.

¹³It will turn out as a testimony for you.

¹⁴Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,

¹⁵for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.

¹⁶You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death.

¹⁷You will be hated by all men for my name's sake.

¹⁸And not a hair of your head will perish.

¹⁹"By your endurance you will win your lives.

²⁰"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

²¹Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the midst of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein.

²²For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

²³Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people.

²⁴They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

²⁵There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves;

²⁶men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

²⁷Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

²⁸But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near."

²⁹He told them a parable. "See the fig tree, and all the trees.

³⁰When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near.

³¹Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.

³²Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished.

³³Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.

³⁴"So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly.

³⁵For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth.

³⁶Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be able to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man."

³⁷Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet.

³⁸All the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.

¹Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, drew near.

²The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.

³Satan entered into Judas, who was called Iscariot, who was numbered with the twelve.

⁴He went away, and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them.

⁵They were glad, and agreed to give him money.

⁶He consented, and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.

⁷The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed.

⁸He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat."

⁹They said to him, "Where do you want us to prepare?"

¹⁰He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters.

¹¹Tell the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'

¹²He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there."

¹³They went, found things as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

¹⁴When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve.

¹⁵He said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,

¹⁶for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God."

¹⁷He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, "Take this, and share it among yourselves,

¹⁸for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God comes."

¹⁹He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me."

²⁰Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the New Covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

²¹But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.

²²The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!"

²³They began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

²⁴There arose also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest.

²⁵He said to them, "The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called 'benefactors.'

²⁶But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.

²⁷For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Is not it he who sits at the table? But I am in the midst of you as one who serves.

²⁸But you are those who have continued with me in my trials.

²⁹I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me,

³⁰that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

³¹"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat,

³²but I prayed for you, that your faith would not fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers."

³³He said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!"

³⁴He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times."

³⁵He said to them, "When I sent you out without purse, and wallet, and shoes, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing."

³⁶Then he said to them, "But now, whoever has a purse must take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, must sell his cloak, and buy a sword.

³⁷For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: 'He was counted with the lawless.' For that which concerns me has an end."

³⁸They said, "Lord, behold, here are two swords." He said to them, "That is enough."

³⁹He came out, and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him.

⁴⁰When he was at the place, he said to them, "Pray that you do not enter into temptation."

⁴¹He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and he knelt down and prayed,

⁴²saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."

⁴³An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.

⁴⁴Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.

⁴⁵When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief,

⁴⁶and said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."

⁴⁷While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him.

⁴⁸But Jesus said to him, "Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"

⁴⁹When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"

⁵⁰A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

⁵¹But Jesus answered, "Let me at least do this"-and he touched his ear, and healed him.

⁵²Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?

⁵³When I was with you in the temple daily, you did not stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

⁵⁴They seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed from a distance.

⁵⁵When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and had sat down together, Peter sat among them.

⁵⁶A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, "This man also was with him."

⁵⁷He denied Jesus, saying, "Woman, I do not know him."

⁵⁸After a little while someone else saw him, and said, "You also are one of them!" But Peter answered, "Man, I am not!"

⁵⁹After about one hour passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean!"

⁶⁰But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.

⁶¹The Lord turned, and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord's word, how he said to him, "Before the rooster crows today you will deny me three times."

⁶²And he went out, and wept bitterly.

⁶³The men who held Jesus mocked him and beat him.

⁶⁴Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, "Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?"

⁶⁵They spoke many other things against him, insulting him.

⁶⁶As soon as it was day, the council of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away into their council, saying,

⁶⁷"If you are the Messiah, tell us." But he said to them, "If I tell you, you won't believe,

⁶⁸and if I ask, you will in no way answer me.

⁶⁹From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God."

⁷⁰They all said, "Are you then the Son of God?" He said to them, "You say it, because I am."

⁷¹They said, "Why do we need any more witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth!"

¹The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate.

²They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king."

³Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "So you say."

⁴Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."

⁵But they insisted, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place."

⁶But when Pilate heard it, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

⁷When he found out that he was in Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.

⁸Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard concerning him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him.

⁹He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers.

¹⁰The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him.

¹¹Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate.

¹²Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.

¹³Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

¹⁴and said to them, "You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and see, I have examined him before you, and found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him.

¹⁵Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him.

¹⁶I will therefore chastise him and release him."

¹⁷No text for this verse number in this edition.

¹⁸But they all shouted out together, saying, "Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!"-

¹⁹one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city, and for murder.

²⁰Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus,

²¹but they shouted, saying, "Crucify! Crucify him!"

²²He said to them the third time, "Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him."

²³But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. And their voices prevailed.

²⁴Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done.

²⁵He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.

²⁶When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and placed on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus.

²⁷A great multitude of the people followed him, including 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.

²⁹For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.'

³⁰Then they will begin to tell the mountains, 'Fall on us!' and tell the hills, 'Cover us.'

³¹For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?"

³²There were also others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death.

³³When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.

³⁴Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.

³⁵The people stood watching. The rulers also scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!"

³⁶The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar,

³⁷and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"

³⁸An inscription was also written above him: "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS."

³⁹One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"

⁴⁰But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?

⁴¹And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong."

⁴²And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."

⁴³And he said to him, "Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

⁴⁴It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.

⁴⁵The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.

⁴⁶Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" Having said this, he breathed his last.

⁴⁷When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous man."

⁴⁸All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their breasts.

⁴⁹All his acquaintances, and the women who followed with him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

⁵⁰Behold, a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man

⁵¹(he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Judeans, who was also waiting for the Kingdom of God:

⁵²this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.

⁵³He took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed him in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been placed.

⁵⁴It was the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near.

⁵⁵The women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and saw the tomb, and how his body was placed.

⁵⁶They returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.