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14 It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him;
² for they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.” 

The annointing at Bethany

³ While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. ⁴ But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? ⁵ For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. ⁶ But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. ⁷ For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. ⁸ She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. ⁹ Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” 

Judas agrees to betray Jesus

¹⁰ Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. ¹¹ When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. 

The Passover with the disciples

¹² On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” ¹³ So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, ¹⁴ and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ ¹⁵ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” ¹⁶ So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. 

¹⁷ When it was evening, he came with the twelve. ¹⁸ And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” ¹⁹ They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?” ²⁰ He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. ²¹ For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” 

The institution of the Lord’s Supper

²² While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” ²³ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. ²⁴ He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. ²⁵ Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” NRSV

Get into the Word

1. What is going on as this chapter opens? Who is involved? What do they want?

2. What is Jesus’ doing at this point? Where is he? What happens to him next? How do the disciples react to the situation? How does Jesus respond? What does he say to the disciples? How does he interpret what happened?

3. What does Mark mention next? Who is involved? What agreements do they make?

4. How does the next incident begin? Who is involved here? What are they talking about? Why is this important to them? To Jesus? To us?

5. What does Jesus tell the men to do? Who are they to look for? What is unusual about this [see Notes]? What are they looking for? How does this work out?

6. What happens during the meal? What does Jesus tell the disciples? How do they react to his statement? How does Jesus identify the person? What does he say about this person? About himself?

7. What else happens during the dinner? What does Jesus do with the bread? How does he refer to it? Why does he use this term? What does he do with the wine? What does he say about it? Why does he refer to it this way? How do the other Gospels describe this incident [see Notes]? How do you think the disciples reacted to this idea?

Get Personal

How do you feel about the Lord’s Supper? How often do you celebrate it? How has God helped you understand its role in your faith life? How has it affected your walk with Christ?

(Cross-references to Matthew and Luke are given in brackets)

14:1. The Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread — actually two events: the Passover commemorated the night in Egypt that the angel of death passed over the Israelite homes; the seven-day festival of Unleavened Bread marked the haste of the Israelite departure from Egypt.
14:3-9. The anointing — a common practice for special guests; but Jesus gives it significance by relating it to his coming death and burial. Matthew’s report on this incident is almost identical to Mark’s [Matt 26:6-13]. Luke does not include this anointing. (John includes this event but places it before Jesus triumphal entry.)
14:10-11. Judas agrees to betray Jesus — Matthew agrees with Mark that Judas went to the chief priests [Matt 26:14-16], while Luke reports that “Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot,” [Luke 22:3-6].
14:12-16. The Passover meal — Matthew refers only to “a certain man,” but does include Jesus’ remark that “my time is near,” [Matt 26:17-19]. Luke says Jesus sent Peter and John and includes the

man carrying a jar of water, (which was extremely unusual in that culture) [Luke 22:7-13].
14:17-21. Jesus predicts his betrayal — Matthew tracks Mark’s report of this incident, but adds Judas’ comment, “Surely not I, Rabbi,” [Matt 26:20-25]. Luke puts Jesus’ announcement after the institution of the Lord’s Supper: But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed. Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this, [Luke 22:21-23].
14:22-25. Institution of the Lord’s Supper — Matthew’s version is similar to Mark’s except Jesus says the cup is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins, [Matt 26:26-29]. Luke places the institution at the beginning of the meal: Then he took a loaf of bread and broke it and gave it to them, saying “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood,” [Luke 22:19-20].

13 As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!”
² Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” 

³ When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, ⁴ “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” ⁵ Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. ⁶ Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. ⁷ When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. ⁸ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs. 

⁹ “As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. ¹⁰ And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. ¹¹ When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. ¹² Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; ¹³ and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 

¹⁴ “But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; ¹⁵ the one on the housetop must not go down or enter the house to take anything away; ¹⁶ the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat.
¹⁷ Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! ¹⁸ Pray that it may not be in winter. ¹⁹ For in those days there will be suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, no, and never will be. ²⁰ And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut short those days. ²¹ And if anyone says to you at that time, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘Look! There he is!’—do not believe it. ²² False messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. ²³ But be alert; I have already told you everything. 

²⁴ “But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 
²⁵ and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 
²⁶ Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory.
²⁷ Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 

²⁸ “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.
²⁹ So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. ³⁰ Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 

³² “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. ³⁴ It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.
³⁵ Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, ³⁶ or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. ³⁷ And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” NRSV

Get into the Word

1. Who starts this conversation? What questions do they ask? What does Jesus say that prompts the question?

2. How does Jesus begin his answer to the question? What does he warn against? What does he say will happen? What does he say will happen to the disciples? What promise does he give them?

3. What does Jesus say about families in this time? What does he say is the cause of this situation? What will be the final result according to Jesus?

4. What does Jesus describe next? Why do you think he mentions this event? What should this situation trigger? What specific details does Jesus include? What warnings does he give? What does he compare the situation with? What does he say could happen? What will happen?

5. What warning does Jesus give next? Why is this warning important for the disciples? For the people?

6. What does Jesus describe happening next? What do these events precede? How does Jesus describe these events, [vv 26-27]?

7. What does Jesus use as a lesson for the disciples? Why do you think he chose this example? How does this relate to his predictions?

8. When does Jesus say all this will happen? What does he tell the disciples to do in the meantime? What comparison does he use?

Get Personal

How concerned are you about the future? How do you feel about Jesus’s promises to the disciples? How do you feel about the tough times that Jesus predicts for believers? How does God help you to trust his promises? How does he help you to “stay alert and keep watch”?

13:1-13. The destruction of the temple — Matthew is very similar to Mark, although he does not identify the disciples. Jesus’ warning is general and broader, and includes the prophecy that many “will fall away.” Matthew omits Jesus’s prediction about family and his promise that God will tell the disciples what to say, [Matt 24:1-12].
Luke also does not identify the disciples. He includes the disciples’ persecution, the natural disasters and wars and Jesus’s promise to give them words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict, [Luke 21:5-19].
13:14-27. The desolating sacrilege — from Daniel’s prophecy of the end times [9:27]. In 168 BCE, the Greek ruler, Antiochus, sacrificed a pig in the temple, and in 70 CE, the Roman army completely destroyed the temple.
Matthew’s version is very similar. He refers to the prophet Daniel in his prediction and includes the Sabbath

in the prayer regarding flight,
[Matt 24:26-28].
Luke refers to “Jerusalem surrounded by armies,” rather than a sacrilege as the sign of upheaval. He mentions that Jerusalem will be “trampled on” by the Gentiles, and calls these events a sign that “redemption is drawing near,” [Luke 21:20-28].
13:24-25. But in those days . . . — Jesus is paraphrasing Isaiah [13:10] and Joel [2:30-31].
13:28-37. The lesson of the fig tree — Matthew includes Jesus’s references to Noah and “those days before the flood,” when “one will be taken and one will be left,” [Matt 24:29-51].
In Luke Jesus urges them to be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, but he does not include Jesus’ comments about not knowing the time or the simile of a man going on a trip, [Luke 21:25-36].

12 ²⁸ One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” ²⁹ Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; ³⁰ you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” ³² Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; ³³ and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’ – this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” ³⁴ When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question. 

The question about David’s son

³⁵ While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the son of David? ³⁶ David himself, by the Holy Spirit, declared,
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ 
³⁷ David himself calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?” And the large crowd was listening to him with delight. 

Jesus denounces the scribes

³⁸ As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, ³⁹ and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! ⁴⁰ They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” 

The widow’s offering

⁴¹ He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.
⁴² A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. ⁴³ Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.
⁴⁴ For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” NRSV

Get into the Word

1. What question is put to Jesus? Why do you think the scribe asked this question? How does Jesus answer? What is he quoting [see Notes]? Why do you think Jesus answered this way?

2. How does the scribe respond to Jesus’ answer? What else does the scribe say about Jesus’ answer? What does Jesus say about the scribe’s comment? What effect does this have?

3. Who asks the next question? Did this surprise you? What is the question? Why do you suppose Jesus asks this question? What does Jesus quote [see Notes]? 

4. What does Jesus say about religious leaders? What does he condemn? Why do you think he selected these things? How do you think the crowd reacted? 

5. What does Jesus do next? What does he see happening? What does he say about this? Why do you think Jesus makes this point?

Get Personal

What is common to each of theses three incidents? What is Jesus saying about our actions? What is important about what we do versus what we say? How has God helped you “walk his talk?”

(Cross-references to Matthew and Luke are given in brackets)

12:28-34. The first commandment — Matthew calls this question another attempted trap from the Pharisees: When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” And Jesus’ reply omits the Shema (“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one” [Deut 6:4]). He also describes the two commandments differently: On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets, [Matt 22:28-40].
Matthew also includes other comments by Jesus about the law; check 5:18-20; 7:12; and 19:17-22.
Luke reports a different conversation earlier in Jesus’ ministry: Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live,” [Luke 10:25-28].
12:33. More important — God told the Israelites many times that actions are more important than sacrifice: I want you to be merciful; I don’t want your sacrifices. I want you to know God; that’s more important than burnt offerings, [Hos 6:5-6; also check 1 Sam 15:22-23 and Isa 1:16-17].

12:35-37. David’s son — In Matthew’s version Jesus challenges the Pharisees: Jesus asked them this question: “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” Jesus then responds as in Mark. Matthew then concludes: No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions, [Matt 22:41-46].
Luke’s report of this exchange is even shorter than Mark’s and has no comment about the crowd, [Luke 20:41-44].
12:38-40. Denouncing the scribes — Matthew includes a more extensive warning to the crowd and disciples, and Jesus tells the people: Call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father – the one in heaven . . . The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. He also includes a series of “Woe’s” to the scribes and Pharisees,
[Matt 23:1-36].
Luke’s version is almost identical to Mark’s, [Luke 20:45-47].
12:36. Jesus is quoting Psalm 110:1. “The Lord” is “Yahweh,” the Hebrew name for God the Father; and “my Lord” is “adonai,” which is the Hebrew word for “Messiah” or “anointed one.”
12:41-44. The widow’s offering — Matthew does not include this incident.
Luke’s version, again, is briefer than Mark’s, but Jesus’ comment is identical, [Luke 21:1-4].

11 ²⁷ Again they came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him ²⁸ and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?”
²⁹ Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. ³⁰ Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.” ³¹ They argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ³² But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. ³³ So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

12 Then he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watchtower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. ² When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. ³ But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed.
⁴ And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted.
⁵ Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. ⁶ He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ ⁷ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ ⁸ So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. ⁹ What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. ¹⁰ Have you not read this scripture:

‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 
¹¹ this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’?” 

¹² When they realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowd. So they left him and went away. 

¹³ Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said.
¹⁴ And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? ¹⁵ Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.” ¹⁶ And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” ¹⁷ Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him. 

¹⁸ Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying,
¹⁹ “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that ‘if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.’ ²⁰ There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; ²¹ and the second married her and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; ²² none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. ²³ In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her.” 

²⁴ Jesus said to them, “Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? ²⁵ For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. ²⁶ And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? ²⁷ He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.” NRSV

Get into the Word

1. Who approaches Jesus in the Temple? What do they ask him? What does Jesus say in response? What question does he pose? How do the Jewish leaders deal with this? What do they answer? How does Jesus respond to their answer? 

2. What is going on in the story Jesus tells? What details does he include? How does the owner try to collect his share? What happens to the collector? What is different in the three versions, [see Notes]?

3. Who does the owner finally send to collect his share? How does Jesus end the story? Why does he use this reference? Who is the son in the story? Who is the “stone” in the quotation?

4. How do the Jewish leaders react to this story and quotation? Why do you think they felt this way? What do they actually do next? Why?

5. Who do the leaders send next? What do they hope to accomplish? How do the men open the conversation? What question do they ask Jesus? How does Jesus respond to the men? To the question? What does he ask for? What does he say about the coin? 

6. Who confronts Jesus next? What is different about this group, [see Notes]? What do they ask? Where does this question come from, [see Notes]? How does Jesus deal with this question? What does he say about marriage? About the men’s beliefs?

Get Personal

Have you ever come across what seems like a contra-diction in your understanding of Christianity? How did you deal with the situation? Was there a particular person who helped you understand? Have you helped others deal with questions about what the Bible says about our faith?

(Cross-references to Matthew and Luke are given in brackets)

11:27-33. Jesus authority challenged — Matthew and Luke report this exchange in almost the same words Mark uses, [Matt 21:23-27; Luke 20:1-8].
12:1-12. The evil farmers — Matthew’s version of this parable is very similar to Mark’s, except the vineyard owner sends two groups of slaves before sending his son, and the “religious leaders” answer Jesus’ question, [Matt 21:33-46].
In Luke the story is similar to Mark’s, but Luke says the crowd responds, “Heaven forbid!” which leads Jesus to explain the meaning of the Psalm, [Luke 20:9-19].
12:10-11. The quote is from Psalm 118:22-23, a central part of the Passover ritual.
12:13-17. Taxes for Caesar — Matthew’s version is almost identical to Mark, except that Jesus begins his answer with “You hypocrites!”[Matt 22:15-22] Matthew also

inserts a parable about a wedding feast before this incident.
Luke says the Jewish leaders sent “spies,” and reports they failed to trap Jesus, [Luke 20:20-26].
12:18-27. The question about the resurrection — Matthew’s wording is very similar to Mark’s, but he adds the crowd was astounded at his teaching, [Matt 22:23-33].
Luke reports the Sadducees’ question in the same words as Mark, but Jesus’ answer does not include the opening about the Sadducees not knowing Scripture or God’s power; and Jesus says marriage is for those who belong to this age, and he says the scribes told Jesus he has “spoken well” and no longer dared to ask him another question, [Luke 20:27-40].
12:19. The reference is Deut 25:5-6. In an agrarian economy it was important that a man have an heir to keep the land and property in the family.

11 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples ² and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. ³ If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” ⁴ They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, ⁵ some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” ⁶ They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. ⁷ Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. ⁸ Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. ⁹ Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, 
“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 
¹⁰ Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 

¹¹ Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. 

¹² On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. ¹³ Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. ¹⁴ He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. 

Jesus cleanses the Temple

¹⁵ Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; ¹⁶ and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. ¹⁷ He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written,
‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’?
But you have made it a den of robbers.” 

¹⁸ And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. ¹⁹ And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. 

²⁰ In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. ²¹ Then Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” ²² Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. ²³ Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. ²⁴ So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 

²⁵ “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” NRSV

Get into the Word

1. Where is Jesus heading? What does he tell his disciples to do? How does he tell them to deal with any questions? Why do you think Jesus did this, [check Notes]? How do you think the disciples felt about this? What happens as they carry out this errand? 

2. What does Jesus do next?How does the crowd respond to Jesus’ actions? What were they saying? Why do you think they reacted the way they did? How does Jesus respond to this situation?

3. What happens as Jesus leaves Bethany. How does Jesus react to the situation? How do you think the disciples felt?

4. Where does Jesus go next? What does he do there? How does he explain his actions? How did the Jewish leaders react to all this? What did they begin doing? How do you feel the disciples responded to the situation? 

5. What has happened to the fig tree? Who remarks about it? How does Jesus respond to the situation? What does he tell the disciples? How do you think they felt about his comments? In what other situations does Jesus talk about faith? [See Notes]

Get Personal

How “strong” has your faith been recently – moving a mountain, moving a good-sized hill or perhaps a small pile of dirt? How is God helping you deal with “not doubting, but believing” [11:23]? How is this affecting your prayer life?

(Cross-references to Matthew and Luke are given in brackets)

11:1-11. Jesus’ triumphal entry — Matthew includes the donkey as well as its colt. He also includes Zechariah’s prophecy: Tell the people of Israel, “Look, your King is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey,” [9:9]. [Matt 21:1-11].
Luke version is very close to Mark’s. Luke reports the Pharisees telling Jesus to order the crowd to stop, but he responds, “If these were silent, the stones would shout out,” [Luke 19:29-40]. Luke also says that Jesus wept over the city.
11:12-14 and 20-25. Cursing the fig tree — Matthew’s version of this incident comes after Jesus cleanses the Temple. The fig tree withers immediately and the disciples ask Jesus how this happens. Jesus tells them to have faith and not doubt: Even if you say to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,” it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive, [Matt 21:18-22]. 
Luke does not include this particular incident, but records a similar parable about a man with a fig tree in his vineyard. After three years of no fruit, so the man told his gardener to cut it down. The gardener told the man to give the fig tree one more year before cutting it down,[Luke 13:6-9].
Luke includes Jesus’ comment about faith

in a different situation: The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you,” [Luke 17:5-6].
11:15-19. Cleansing the Temple — Matthew actually puts this incident right after Jesus’ triumphal entry, using almost the same words as Mark, [Matt 21:12-13]. 
Luke also puts this incident on the same day as the triumphal entry. His version is similar to Mark and Matthew, [Luke 19:45-48].
John also includes this incident in his Gospel, but very early in Jesus’ ministry: The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me,” [John 2:13-17].
11:25. Some manuscripts include verse 26: But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your sins.

10 ³⁵ James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” ³⁶ And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” ³⁷ And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” ³⁸ But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” ³⁹ They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; ⁴⁰ but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 

⁴¹ When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. ⁴² So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. ⁴³ But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” 

The healing of blind Bartimaeus

⁴⁶ They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁸ Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
⁴⁹ Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” ⁵⁰ So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. ⁵¹ Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.”
⁵² Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. NRSV

Get into the Word

1. In this section, who approaches Jesus? What do they ask of him? How does Jesus respond to their request? What does he ask them? What do they say? How does Jesus answer them?

2. How do the other disciples react to all this? How does Jesus deal with this situation? What does he say about service? About being first? How might you have reacted if you had been present? 

3. Where does Jesus go next? What happens on the road? What does the man ask of Jesus? Why do you suppose he made this request? How does the crowd react to this situation? How well does this work?

4. How does Jesus respond to the man? What does the man ask Jesus to do? How does Jesus answer the man? How does he respond to Jesus’ action?

Get Personal

How do you feel when other people praise you for helping or serving them? How does this affect your relationship with them? How does God help you understand serving him? Serving other people?

(Cross-references to Matthew and Luke are given in brackets)

10:35-45. James’ and John’s request — Matthew reports that James’ and John’s mother asks for the positions of honor. He also omits Jesus’ reference to his “baptism of suffering.” The rest of the incident is almost identical to Mark, [Matt 20:20-28].
Luke does not include this incident. 
10:37. Your glory — James and John are still thinking Jesus is about to establish an earthly kingdom and they want high places in it. The other disciples are just as greedy [v. 41].
10:38. Cup . . . baptism — Jesus is actually using two Old Testament symbols of judgement and suffering.
10:43. Great . . . servant —Luke puts a similar speech after the disciples’ argument about who is the greatest at the Last Supper, but he adds: You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel [Luke 22:27-30]. 
John includes similar comments after Jesus washes the disciples’ feet: since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them. You know these things — now do them! That is the path of blessing,
[John 13:13-17].
10:46-52. The healing of blind Bartimaeus — Matthew tells of two blind men (without naming them) shouting at Jesus. Jesus feels sorry for them and touches their eyes to heal them and they follow him, [Matt 20:29-34]. 
Luke’s version is closer to Mark’s with a single blind beggar, but Luke does not name him either, [Luke 18:35-43]. 

Luke follows this healing with the story of Jesus and Zaccheus, the tax collector who climbed a tree to see Jesus and ended up hosting him for dinner that night. He also repented and gave his money to the poor and to those he had defrauded, [Luke 19:1-10]. 
Luke also includes the parable of ten pounds (talents) at this point: A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Do business with these until I come back.’ But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.’ He said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’ He said to him, ‘And you, rule over five cities.’ Then the other came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.’ He said to the bystanders, ‘Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ (And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds!’) ‘I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away, [Luke 22:22-26].

10 ¹⁷ As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” ²⁰ He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” ²¹ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” ²² When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. 

²³ Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” 

²⁸ Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” ²⁹ Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, ³⁰ who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. ³¹ But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” 

Jesus foretells his death and resurrection a third time

³² They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, ³³ saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles;
³⁴ they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.” NRSV

Get into the Word

1. Who approaches Jesus in this incident? How does he address Jesus? What does he ask? How does Jesus respond to the greeting? How does he answer the question? What does the man say about this?What does Jesus tell the man next? How does the man respond to this suggestion? Why did he respond this way? 

2. What does Jesus say about the Kingdom of God? How do the disciples react to this? What does Jesus say to them? What does Peter say next? How does Jesus respond to his statement? What does he promise? Who is included in this promise? How does the future kingdom differ from this world?

3. What does Jesus tell the disciples? How do you think this news affected the disciples? How might you have responded to Jesus’ detailed description of his future?

Get Personal

How does God help you understand the role of “stuff” in your life? How does he help you see what is important in his kingdom?

(Cross-references to Matthew and Luke are given in brackets)

10:17-31. The rich man — Matthew changes the young man’s opening to: Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus’ reply is almost the same as in Mark. The rest of the dialogue is very close to Mark’s version, except Jesus’ answer to Peter: Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first, [Matt 19:16-30]. 
Luke’s version begins the same as Mark’s, except it is a “certain ruler,” not a “rich man.” Jesus’ reply is very similar to Mark’s version. His response to Peter is also closer to Mark: Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, who will not get back much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life, [Luke 18:17-30]. Only Mark includes “with persecutions.”

10:18. What must I do? — the question includes the error of thinking salvation is based on what we do, not what God is going to do through Christ.
10:19. Commandments — Jesus mentions the five commandments that deal with observable behavior between people.
10:23. How hard it will be — Jesus’ statement completely reverses the common belief – now as well as in his time – that wealth is a mark of God’s blessing.
10:30. With persecutions — after listing the rewards of following him, Jesus reminds the disciples there will also be costs to following him.
In this age — our life in the kingdom – with the costs as well as rewards – begins when we trust Jesus and follow him; it does not wait until we die.
10:32-34. Jesus predicts his death and resurrection a third time — Matthew records the third prediction in almost the identical words of Mark, but without the reference to the disciples being afraid, [Matt 20:17-19]. Luke does not report a third prediction. Jesus’ third prediction is the most specific: the chief priests and scribes will condemn him, and the Gentiles (Romans) will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him, [check Mark 15, Luke 23, and Matt 26-27].

9³⁸ John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.”
³⁹ But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me.
⁴⁰ Whoever is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. 

Temptation to sin

⁴² “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. ⁴³ If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. ⁴⁵ And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. ⁴⁷ And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, ⁴⁸ where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.

⁴⁹ “For everyone will be salted with fire. ⁵⁰ Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” 

Teaching about divorce

10 He left that place and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan. And crowds again gathered around him; and, as was his custom, he again taught them. 

² Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” ³ He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” ⁴ They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” ⁵ But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. ⁶ But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ⁷ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, ⁸ and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
⁹ Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 

¹⁰ Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. ¹¹ He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; ¹² and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” 

Jesus blesses little children

¹³ People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. NRSV

Get into the Word

1. What is the situation facing Jesus here? Who tells him about it? How does Jesus respond to this situation? What does he say about people who are “helping” him? 

2. What images does Jesus use to describing dealing with sin? Why do you think he chose these symbols? How do you think his listeners reacted to this lesson? How might you have responded?

3. What does Jesus say about salt? Why do you suppose he brought this up, [see Notes]?

4. Who brings up the subject of marriage and divorce? Why did they confront Jesus on this issue? How does Jesus respond to the question? What is the core of Jesus’s response on the subject of divorce and marriage? Why is divorce “permitted” by the Law? What is God’s real idea for marriage according to Jesus? [See Notes for the disciples’ reaction and Jesus’s explanation.]

5. Who comes to see Jesus next? How do the disciples deal with this? What is Jesus’s response to the situation? What does he say about the Kingdom of God? What does he say about faith? What did he do with the children?

Get Personal

What does a “little child’s faith” look like to you? How has God helped you to grow into a child-like faith? How has he helped you grow from a child-like faith?

(cross-references to Matthew and Luke are given in brackets)

9:28-41. Another exorcist — Luke includes this episode, in conjunction with sending out the Apostles, but he does not include Jesus’s references to “deeds of power” or “cup of water,” [Luke 9:49-50].
Matthew does not include this incident, but he does have the phrase, Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters, [Matt 12:30], as part of Jesus’s response to the charge that he casts out demons using Satan’s power.
9:43-48. Hands and eyes — Matthew includes Jesus’s lesson on sin in two places using very similar words. The first is part of the Sermon on the Mount, [Matt 5:29-30]; the second follows Jesus’s response to the disciples’ question about who is the greatest, [Matt 18:8-10].
Luke does not report any comments about hands and eyes.
9:43, 47. Hell — the actual word refers to the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem which became the city’s garbage dump, where the fires did in fact burn all the time to destroy the garbage.
9:44, 46. These verses (repetitions of verse 48) are not in the most accepted manuscripts.
9:49-50. Salted with fire — Matthew’s version of Jesus’s comment is also part of the Sermon on the Mount: You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste,

how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot, [Matt 5:13-16].
Luke reports Jesus’s reference to salt as part of the cost of being a disciple: Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen! [Luke 14:35-35].
The Mosaic Law required grain offerings to be salted: You shall not omit from your grain offerings the salt of the covenant with your God; with all your offerings you shall offer salt, [Lev 2:13]. 
10:1-12. Teaching about divorce — Matthew says Jesus’s initial response is to quote the Scripture about “male and female,” and then the Pharisees bring up Moses. Jesus answers with the “hard heartedness” and tells his disciples, Whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery, [Matt 19:1-12].
Luke records that Jesus said, Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery, [Luke 16:18] as part of a rebuke to the Pharisees during his more general teaching.
10:13-16. Blessing the children — Matthew and Luke both include this incident, [Matt 19:13-15 and Luke 18:15-17].

9¹⁴ When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. ¹⁵ When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. ¹⁶ He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” ¹⁷ Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; ¹⁸ and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.” ¹⁹ He answered them, “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” ²⁰ And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. ²¹ Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. ²² It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” ²³ Jesus said to him, “If you are able! – All things can be done for the one who believes.” ²⁴ Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” ²⁵ When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!” ²⁶ After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. ²⁸ When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” ²⁹ He said to them, “This kind can come out only through prayer.” 

Jesus again foretells his death and resurrection

³⁰ They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it;
³¹ for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.”
³² But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Who is the greatest?

³³ Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” ³⁴ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. ³⁵ He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” ³⁶ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ³⁷ “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” NRSV

Get into the Word

1. What is going on as Jesus approaches? Who is involved? What are they concerned about?

2. Who speaks to Jesus? What is he seeking? Why is this important to him? Why is he asking Jesus? What is Jesus’ initial reaction to this situation? What happens to the boy in Jesus’ presence? How does he respond to the father’s request? How does the father react to this? 

3. How does Jesus heal the boy? What happens as a result? What does Jesus do next? How do the disciples deal with this? What is Jesus’ response to their question?

4. Where do Jesus and the disciples go next? What does Jesus talk about? How do the disciples respond to his statements [check notes on Matthew and Luke]? How might you have responded if you had been there?

5. What are the disciples talking about next? How do they respond to Jesus’ question? How does Jesus answer them? What is the key principle in his answer [check the notes on Matthew]? 

Get Personal

Have you ever been concerned about someone else’s apparent rank or importance? How did you deal with your concern? How has God helped you understand the principle of Kingdom greatness?

(Cross-references to Matthew and Luke are given in brackets)

9:14-29. Healing a boy with a spirit — Matthew’s version [Matt 17:14-20] of this incident omits the argument between the disciples and the scribes and Jesus’s remark about belief [v 23-24]. He also leaves out the demon’s final displays and the boy appearing to be dead. Matthew also changes Jesus’s answer to the disciples’ question about why they could not heal the boy: “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you,” [17:20].
Luke’s report is briefer than Matthew’s [Luke 9:36-43]. He includes only the father’s description and plea, Jesus’s comments about “faithless people,” the boy’s convulsion, and Jesus’s rebuking the demon and healing the boy.
9:20-32. Jesus’s second prediction of his death — Matthew says nothing about teaching the disciples. He includes Jesus’s statement about the betrayal and death of the “Son of Man,” but records Jesus saying, “he will be raised (not “he will rise”). He says the disciples were greatly distressed, rather than being afraid to ask Jesus what he means, [Mt 17:21-23].
Again, Luke is very brief. Jesus says only, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed.” Luke does say the statement’s meaning was concealed from the disciples so they did not understand and were afraid to ask Jesus what he meant [Luke 9:44-45]. 

9:33-37. Who is the greatest — Matthew begins this exchange with the disciples’ question. Jesus’s response is considerably different: Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me [18:3-4]. Jesus also tells them not to put a stumbling block in front of children and emphasizes his point be telling them to cut off a hand or foot or eye that causes them to stumble: It is better to enter life maimed or lame . . . or with one eye, that be thrown into the eternal fire [18:8-9].
Luke provides only a terse report: An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest,” [Luke 9:46-48].
Matthew inserts the story of the Temple tax before the discussion of who is greatest. The tax collectors asked Peter if Jesus paid the tax (a small amount each male Jew must pay each year) and Peter said, “Yes, he does.” When Peter went to Jesus, he said the tax really did not apply to him but, so that we do not give offense to them, so go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, and you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me,” [Matt 17:24-27].

8²⁷ Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” ²⁸ And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” ²⁹ He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” ³⁰ And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. 

Jesus foretells his death and resurrection

³¹ Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³² He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ³³ But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” 

³⁴ He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵ For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. ³⁶ For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? ³⁷ Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? ³⁸ Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his

9Father with the holy angels.” And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” 

The transfiguration

² Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, ³ and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. ⁵ Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁶ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. ⁷ Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” ⁸ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

The coming of Elijah 

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean. ¹¹ Then they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” ¹² He said to them, “Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? ¹³ But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.” NRSV

Get into the Word

1. Where is Jesus at this point? Who is with him? What does he ask them? How do they respond? What is the difference in the two questions? How does Peter answer the second question? How does Jesus respond to Peter’s answer? What does Matthew add to Jesus’ words?

2. What does Jesus tell the disciples about his future? How does Peter react to this? How does Jesus respond to Peter this time?

3. What does Jesus tell the crowd about following him? What image does he use? What does he say about a relationship with him? How do you suppose the crowd reacted to this advice?

4. What does Mark describe next? Who is with Jesus? Where are they? What happens at this point? Who is with Jesus? What are they talking about [see Notes]? How do the disciples respond to this situation? What does Peter propose? Why do you think he does this? What happens after Peter’s proposal? How do the other Gospel writers describe this event?

5: What do the disciples ask Jesus? Why would they have this question? Who is Jesus actually talking about?

Get Personal

Have you had an “Aha!” moment in your walk with Christ? What did you see or understand about Jesus? About faith? About your life? What led you to this understanding or clarity? How has it affected your faith adventure?

(Cross-references to Matthew and Luke are given in brackets)

8:27-30. Peter’s declaration about Jesus — Matthew adds to Peter’s answer and Jesus’s response: Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven,” [Matt 16:14-20].
Luke includes only Jesus’s questions and the disciples’ and Peter’s response, [Luke 9:18-20].
8:28. Prophet — in Deut 18:18 God says he will raise a prophet from among his people.
8:31-33. Jesus predicts his death — Matthew and Luke’s versions are very similar to Mark’s, except that Matthew mentions going to Jerusalem, [Matt 16:21, Luke 9:22].
8:32-33. Peter’s rebuke to Jesus — Matthew includes this incident and says Jesus called Peter “a stumbling stone,” [Matt 16:23]. Luke does not include this exchange between Peter and Jesus.

8:34-9:1. Shoulder your cross — Matthew’s version is close to Mark’s, [Matt 16:24-28], except that Jesus does not talk about “being ashamed,” and instead says, The Son of Man . . . will repay everyone for what has been done, [Matt 9:27].
Luke’s version of Jesus’s statement is almost identical to Mark’s, [Luke 9:23-27].
9:2-13. The transfiguration — Matthew’s version is very similar to Mark’s. He does say the disciples were overcome by fear at God’s voice. He does not say the disciples discussed “rising from the dead,” but he does say the disciples realized Jesus was talking about John the Baptist in reference to Elijah, [Matt 17:1-13].
Luke’s version places the transfiguration eight days after Peter’s declaration and reports that Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus about his departure . . . in Jerusalem. Luke does not mention the disciples’ fear or terror, but says they were weighed down with sleep. He does include the conversation about Elijah, [Luke 9:28-36].
9:7. Listen — this echoes Deut 18:15 where Moses says, The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people. You must heed such a prophet.
9:11. Elijah — in the last verses of the Old Testament, God says, Lo, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes, [Malachi 4:5].