THE GOSPEL of MATTHEW (Part 5.

)
READING for this Week excerpted from MTFV R & S Edition

CONTENTS &TOPICAL INDEX

The GOSPEL of MATTHEW pp. 01-31

This week’s Reading covers Matthew 19:26- 28 - 20

Topics Covered in MATTHEW Part 5.

GOD Can Do What is Impossible for Us

p.1
Kingdom Parable About Godly Workers p.1
Jesus Informs his Followers a third Time
of What he must Suffer
p.2
A Mother’s Request
p.2
Blind Men Alongside the Road Have their Sight Restored
p.3
Jesus Makes a Royal Entry Into Jerusalem
p.3
Jesus Stirs Up the Temple and the Religious Leaders
p.4
A Barren Fig Tree Provides a Lesson About Faith
p.4
Jesus’ Authority Questioned
p.5
The Parable of the Two Sons
p.5
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
p.5
A Kingdom Parable About a Royal Banquet
p.6
Taxes to The Emperor
p.7
The Sadducees and the Resurrection
p.8
The Greatest Commandment
p.8
Jesus Baffles the Pharisees
p.9
Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees, Religious Hypocrites
p.9
Lament over Jerusalem
p.11
Temple Destruction and Other End Times Signs
p.12
More Difficulties to Come
p.13
The Abomination That Causes Desolation
p.13
The Return of the Messiah
p.13
Learn a Lesson from the Fig Tree
p.14
Always Be Ready For No One knows The Day He is Coming
p.14
The Faithful and Wise Servant
p.15
The kingdom Parable of Ten Virgin Women and a Bridegroom p.15
The kingdom Parable of the Trustworthy Servants p.16
The Sheep and the Goats p.17
Religious Leaders Conspire to Kill Jesus p.18
Jesus Pre-Anointed at Bethany for Burial p.18
Judas Negotiates to Betray Jesus p.19
Passover Preparations p.19
The Last Supper or Lord’s Evening Meal p.19
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial p.20
Jesus Prays at Gethsemane p.20
The Betrayal p.21
Jesus Taken before the Sanhedrin p.22
Peter Denies Jesus p.22
Jesus is Delivered to Pontius Pilate p.23
Judas Commits Suicide p.23
Jesus Appears Before Pilate p.23
The Crowd Chooses to Free Barabbas instead of Jesus p.24
Roman Soldiers Mock Jesus p.24
Jesus Execution p.25
King of the Jews p.25
The Death of Jesus p.26
The Burial of Jesus p.26
Soldiers Guard the Tomb p.27
Resurrection p.27
The Guards Report p.27
Apostles Receive “The Great Commission” p.28

(Please SCROLL DOWN)

 Mathews Gospel Continued
Beginning with Matthew 19:26

GOD Can Do What is Impossible to Us

26 Jesus looked straight at them and said, "There are some things that people
cannot do, yet GOD can do anything, even what is impossible to us."

27 Then Peter spoke up and said to him, "We left everything we had and
followed you. So, what will we have?"

28 Jesus said to them, "When the time for a new world comes, the Son of Man
will be set on his great and glorious throne. I say to you who have followed Me,
in that new age, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of
Israel. 29 Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother,
children, or farms to follow me will get much more than they left. And they will
have eternal life. 30 Many people who are first now will be last in the future.
And many who are last now will be first in the future.

MATTHEW CHAPTER 20

Kingdom Parable About Godly Workers

MATTHEW 20:1 "The Kingdom of heaven is like this. Once there was a man
who went out early in the morning to the town square to hire some men to work
in his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them the regular wage, a denarius a day, and
sent them to work in his vineyard. 3 He went out again to the town square at
nine o'clock and saw some men standing there doing nothing, 4 so he told them,
'You also, go and work in the vineyard, and I will pay you a fair wage.' 5 So they
went. Then at twelve o'clock and again at three o'clock he did the same thing. 6
Now, the workday was almost over. It was nearly five o'clock when he went to
the same town square and saw some other men still standing there. 'Why are
you wasting the whole day here doing nothing?' he asked them. 7 'No one hired
us,' they answered. 'Well, then, you can go and work in my vineyard,' he told
them.

8 "When evening came, and the workday was over, the owner told his foreman,
'Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with those who were hired
last and ending with those who were hired first.' 9 The men who had begun to
work at five o'clock were paid a denarius each amounting to a full day’s wage.

10 So when the men who were the first to be hired came to be paid, they thought
they should get more; but they too were given a denarius each. 11 They took
their money and started grumbling against the employer. 12 'These men who
were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'while we put in a whole day's
work in the hot sun---yet you paid them the same as you paid us!'

13 'Listen, friend,' the vineyard owner answered one of them, 'I have not
cheated you. You agreed to do a day's work for one denarius. 14 Now take your
pay and go home. If I want to give this man who was hired last as much as I
gave you, 15 do not I have the right to do as I wish with my own money? Or are
you jealous because I am generous?'

16 And Jesus concluded, "So it will be in the kingdom, those last will be first,
and those who are first will be last.", for many are called, but few are chosen.

Jesus Informs his Followers a third Time of What he must Suffer.

[Mark 10:32–34, Luke 18:31–34]

17 As Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he took his twelve disciples aside and
told them in private: 18 We are now on our way to Jerusalem, where the Son of
Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of
Moses. They will sentence him to death, 19 and then they will hand him over to
foreigners who will mock him. They will beat him and nail him to a stake upon
which he will die. But on the third day afterwards he will rise from death.

A Mother’s Request
[Mark 10:35–45]

20 The mother of James and John came to Jesus with along with her two sons
and knelt before Jesus and started begging him to do something for her. 21
Jesus asked her what she wanted, and she said, "When you come into your
kingdom, please let one of my sons sit at your right side and the other at your
left."

22 But Jesus responded to James and John; you do not realize what you are
asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and to be
baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized? They answered, Yes, we
are able 23 Then Jesus replied, "You certainly will drink from my cup! But it is
not for me to say who will sit at my right side and at my left. That is for my
Father to say."

24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John requested, they
were angry with the two brothers. 25 So, Jesus called all the apostles together
and said, "You know that the rulers of nations have absolute power over people
and their officials have absolute authority over people. 26 It should not be that
way with you. Do not act like them. 27 And, if you want to be first, you must be
like a slave to all the others. 28 The Son of Man did not come to be a slave
driver, but a slave himself who will give his life to rescue many people.

Blind Men Alongside the Road Have their Sight Restored

[Luke 18:35–43, Mark 10:46–52]

29 When Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho they were followed by a large
crowd and they came upon 30 two blind men who were sitting beside the road.
When they heard that Jesus was coming their way, they shouted, "Lord and Son of
David, have pity on us!"

31 The crowd urged them to be quiet, but they shouted even louder, "Lord and
Son of David, have pity on us!" 32 When Jesus heard them, he stopped and
asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"

33 They answered, "Lord, we want to see!" 34 So Jesus had compassion on

them, and he touched their eyes. Immediately they were able to see, and they
became followers of his.

MATTHEW 21:1

Jesus Makes a Royal Entry Into Jerusalem

[Zechariah  9:9,10, Mark 11:1–11, Luke19:28–40, John 12:12–19]

As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the village of
Bethpage, near the Mount of Olives. There Jesus sent two of the disciples on
ahead 2 with these instructions: "Go to the village there ahead of you, and there
you will find a donkey tied up with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring
them to me. 3 If anyone asks why you are doing that, just say, 'The Lord needs
them.' and he will let you have the donkeys right away." 4 This happened so that
what the prophets had said came true: 5 "Announce to the people of Jerusalem;
“Your king is coming to you! He is humble and rides on a donkey. He comes on
the colt of a donkey.” (Isa. 62:11; Zech. 9:9.)

6 So, the disciples went and did what Jesus had told them to do: 7 They brought
the donkey and her colt to him. They covered both donkeys with their coats and
made them ready for Jesus to sit on. 8 As he rode on his way to Jerusalem many
people spread their coats on the road for Jesus. Others cut branches from the
trees and spread them on the road.9 Some of the people were walking ahead of
Jesus. Others were walking behind him. They all shouted "Hosanna to the Son
of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of YHWH! Hosanna in the
highest heaven!" (Ps. 118:26.)

10 Then, as Jesus came into Jerusalem all the people in the city were in a state
of excitement. People were asking, "Who is this man?" 11 Some among the
crowd answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Jesus Stirs Up the Temple and the Religious Leaders.

[Mark 11:15–18, Luke 19:45–48, John 2:12–17]

12 Jesus proceeded into the Temple area. He drove out all those who were
selling and buying things there. He pushed over the tables that belonged to
those who were exchanging different kinds of money and he turned over the
benches of those who were selling doves. 13 He said to them, it has been written
in scripture, "My house shall be called a house of prayer," but you have "made it
a den for robbers." ( Jer. 7:11: Isa. 56:7)

14 Some blind people and some who were crippled came to Jesus there and so
he healed them. 14 When the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing
miracles he performed and children shouting in the temple courtyard,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!" they became incensed.15 They said to Jesus,
"Don't you hear what those children are saying?" " I certainly do!" Jesus
answered. "Don't you know that the Scriptures say, 'Children and infants will
sing praises'?"

A Barren Fig Tree Provides a Lesson About Faith.

[Mark 11:12–14, Mark 11:20–25]

17 Then Jesus left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the
night. 18 Early the next morning when Jesus was going back to the city, he was
hungry. 19 He came upon a fig tree beside the road, so he went to get some figs
from it. But there were no figs on the tree. In a healthy fig tree, the leaves and
the fruit appear together. On this tree there were only leaves whereupon Jesus
said to the tree, "You will never again produce fruit!" The tree immediately
dried up and died. 20 When his disciples saw this, they were surprised. They
asked, "How did the fig tree dry up and die so quickly?"

21 Jesus answered, "The truth is, if you have faith and no doubts, you will be
able to do the same as I did to this tree. And you will be able to do more. You
will be able to say to this mountain, 'Go, mountain, fall into the sea.' And if your
faith is sufficient, it will happen. 22 And if you have faith when you pray,
whatever you ask for in prayer, you will receive.

Jesus’ Authority Questioned

[Mark 11:27–33, Luke 20:1–9]

23 Upon his return to Jerusalem Jesus went back to the temple area. And while
he was teaching there, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him
and said, by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You such
authority?

24 Jesus answered, "I have just one question to ask you. If you answer it, I will
tell you where I get the authority to do these things. 25 Who gave John the right
to baptize? Was it GOD in heaven or merely some human being?" They thought
it over and said to each other, "We can't admit that GOD gave John this right.
Then, Jesus will ask us why we did not believe John. 26 On the other hand, if we
say, 'From human beings,' we must be fearful of what the people might do,
because they are all convinced that John was a prophet." 27 So they said to
Jesus, "We don't know the answer."

The Parable of the Two Sons

Then Jesus said, "In that case, I will not tell you who gave me the authority to
do these things. 28 But, tell me what you think about this; There was a man who
had two sons. He went to the first son and said, 'Son, go and work today in the
vineyard.' 29 Initially his son refused but later he changed his mind and went.
30 The man then told his younger son to go work in the vineyard. The boy said
he would, but he did not go.

31 Which one of the sons obeyed his father? "The first son," the chief priests and
leaders answered. Jesus said to them; “Right” and I say to you that tax
collectors and prostitutes shall get into the kingdom of God before you ever will.
32 When John the Baptizer showed you how to do right, you would not believe
him. But these evil people did believe. And even when you saw what they did,
you still would not change your minds and believe.

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

[Mark 12:1–12, Luke 20:9–18]

33 Now, Jesus told the chief priests and leaders, listen to another story; A
landowner once planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it and dug a pit to
crush the grapes in. He also built a lookout tower. Then he rented out his
vineyard and left the country. 34 When the fruit harvesting season drew near,
he sent his servants to the tenants to get his share of the fruit. 35 But the
tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36
So the man sent some other servants to the farmers, more than he sent the first
time. But the tenant farmers did the same thing to them that they did the first
time. 37 So the man decided to send his son to the farmers. He said, 'The
farmers will certainly respect my son.'

38 "But when the farmers saw the son coming, they said to each other, 'This is
the owner's son. The vineyard will be his one day. If we kill him, it will be ours.'
39 So the farmers took the son, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
40 "Now I ask you. what will the owner of the vineyard do to these tenant
farmers when he comes?"

41 The Jewish priests and leaders said, "He will surely kill those evil men. Then
he will lease the land to other farmers, who will give him his share of the crop at
harvest time."

42 Then Jesus said to them, "Surely you have read this in the Scriptures: 'The
very stone that the builders rejected became the cornerstone and it was YHWH
who did this, and it is amazing to us.' (Ps. 118:22, 23.) 43 "So I am telling you
that GOD's kingdom will be taken away from you and it will be given to people
who do what GOD wants to be done in his own kingdom. 44 And anyone who
stumbles over this stone will be crushed, and anyone it falls on will be smashed
to pieces."

45 When the leading priests and the Pharisees heard about these stories, they
knew that Jesus was talking about them. 46 So, they wanted to find a way to
have Jesus arrested, but were afraid to do anything, because too many of the
people believed Jesus to be a prophet.
MATTHEW CHAPTER 22

A Kingdom Parable About a Royal Banquet

(Luke 14:15–24)

MATTHEW 22:1 Once again Jesus spoke to them in parables (comparisons,

stories used to illustrate and explain), saying, 2 "God's kingdom is like a king
who prepared a wedding feast for his son. 3 He invited certain people to the
feast. When it was ready, the king sent his servants to tell them to come. But
they refused to come to the king's feast. 4 So he sent other servants to tell the
guests; The feast has been prepared, the choice meats have been cooked and
everything is ready. So, Hurry, come now. 5 "But when the King’s servants told
the people to come, they refused to listen. They all had other things to do. One
went to work in his field, and another went to his place of business. 6 And the
rest laid hands on his servants and, treated them with contempt, and then put
them to death. 7 The king became terribly angry. He sent his army to kill those
who murdered his servants. And the army burned their city.

8"After that the king said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready. I invited
those people, but they who were invited were not worthy. 9 So, now go out to
the street corners and tell everyone you meet to come to the banquet." 10 They
went out on the streets and brought in everyone they could find, good and bad
alike. And the banquet room was filled with guests.

11 "When the king came in to look over the guests, he saw a man there who was
not dressed in the right clothes for a wedding.12 The king said, 'Friend, how
were you allowed to come in here? You are not wearing the right clothes.' The
man was speechless and could say nothing.13 Then the king told his servants,
'Tie his hands and feet, and throw him outside into the darkness where people
are crying and in pain.

14 Then Jesus concluded the parable by saying, “although many are invited,
only a few are chosen."

Paying Taxes to The Emperor

[Mark 12:13–17, Luke 20:19–26]

15 Then the a Pharisees left the place where Jesus was teaching and got together
to make plans to catch him saying something wrong.16 They sent their
representatives to Jesus along with some of Herod's men. They said to him,
"Teacher, we know that you tell the truth and that you teach the truth about the
way of GOD. You do not favor individuals because of who they are. 17 Tell us
what you think! Should we pay taxes to the Emperor or not?"

18 Jesus knew their evil thoughts and said, "Why are you trying to entrap me,
you pretenders (hypocrites)?!

19 Show me one of the coins used for paying taxes." They brought him a silver
coin, 20 Then he asked, "Whose picture and name are on it?" 21 "The
Emperor's," they answered. Then Jesus told them, "Give the Emperor what
belongs to him and give GOD what belongs to GOD." 22 When they heard this
answer, they were amazed. His answer surprised them so much that they just
walked away.

The Sadducees and the Resurrection

[Mark 12:18–2, Luke 20:27–40]

23 That same day some bSadducees came to Jesus. (Sadducees believe that no
one will be resurrected from death.) The Sadducees posed this riddle to Jesus
24 They said, "Teacher, Moses told us that if a married man dies and has no
children, his brother must marry the dead brother’s wife. Then they will have
children for the dead brother.

25 There were seven brothers among us. The first brother married but died. He
had no children. So, his brother married the widow. 26 Then the second brother
also died. The same thing happened to the third brother and all the other
brothers. 27 The woman was the last to die. 28 Now, on the day when the dead
rise to life, whose wife will she be? All of them had married her."

29 Jesus answered, "You're entirely mistaken because you don't know the
Scriptures or GOD's power. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor
are given in marriage but are as the angels of GOD in heaven.

31 But as to the resurrection of the dead, have you never read what was said to
you by GOD, 32 He said, 'I am the god of Abraham, the god of Isaac, and the
god of Jacob.' Therefore, in his eyes they were not still dead, because he is GOD
only to living people."33 When the people heard this, they were amazed at
Jesus' teaching.

34 The Pharisees learned that the Sadducees stopped trying to argue with Jesus
because he had made them look foolish. So, the Pharisees came as a group to
confront him.
The Greatest Commandment
[Deuteronomy 6:1–18, Mark 12:28–34

35 Then one of them, an expert in the Law of Moses, asked Jesus a question to
test him. 36 He said, "Teacher, which command in the law is the most
important?" 37 Jesus answered, "'You must Love YHWH your God with all your
heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'

38 This is the first and most important command. 39 And the second command
is like the first: 'Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.' 40 The
whole Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets hang on these two
commandments

Jesus Baffles the Pharisees

[Mark 12:35–37, Luke 20:41–44]

41 So while the Pharisees were there together, Jesus asked them a question. 42
He said, "What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son, is he?" The
Pharisees answered, "The Messiah is the Son of David."

43 Jesus said to them, "Then why did David refer to him as his 'lord'? David was
speaking by the power of the Spirit when he said, 44 'YHWH God said to my
lord: Sit by me at my right side, and I will put your enemies under your feet.'
(Ps. 110:1.) 45

If then David thus calls the Messiah lord, how can he be his Son? 46 Not one of
the Pharisees was able to utter a word in reply. Neither from that day on did any
one of them venture or dare to question Him.

FOOTNOTE for Chapter TWENTY-TWO

The a Pharisees and b Sadducees - Jesus was addressing the religious

leaders of his day. They were greatly admired as examples by the people. The
Pharisees were a group who considered themselves elitists. They saw
themselves as the keepers of GOD’s law who the people should look up to for
guidance and direction in living Godly lives.

MATTHEW 23:1
Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees, Religious Hypocrites
[Luke 11:37–54, Mark 12:38-40]

MATTHEW 23:1 Then Jesus continued, saying to the crowd and to His
disciples; 2 The aScribes and bPharisees have seated themselves on Moses' seat
(as authorities).

3 Therefore, you must observe and follow everything they tell you to do. Do not,
however, imitate their actions, because they do not practice what they preach. 4
They make hard laws and put great weights on men's backs; but they
themselves will not lift a finger to them. 5 "Everything they do is for show. On
their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with ‘scripture’ verses inside, and
they add conspicuous ornament on their robes.6 They love the places of honor
at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues (meeting places). 7 They love
to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to have people call them '
Rabbi” (‘Teacher’).

8 "But you must not be called 'Rabbi” (Teacher’.) You are all equal as brothers
and sisters. You have only one Teacher.

9 And do not address anyone here on earth as 'Father,' for only GOD in heaven
is your spiritual Father. 10 And you must not be called masters (leaders), for
you have one Master (leader), the Christ. 11 Whoever serves you like a servant is
the greater among you. 12 People who think themselves better than others will
be humbled. But people who humble themselves will be made greater.

13 You b Pharisees and a Scribes (teachers of the Law of Moses) are in trouble!
You are nothing but show-offs who lock people out of the kingdom of heaven.
You will not be going in yourselves, and you prevent others from going in.

15 "It will be bad for you hypocrites. You travel across the seas and to different
countries to recruit one person who will follow your ways. When you find that
person, you make him twice as fit for c Gehenna

16 "How terrible for you, blind guides! You teach if someone swears by the
Temple, he isn't bound by his vow; but if he swears by the gold things in the
Temple, he is bound.' 17 You are blind fools! Can't you see that the Temple is
greater than the gold on it? It is the Temple that makes the gold holy! 18 "And
you say, 'If anyone uses the altar to make a promise, that means nothing. But
anyone who uses the gift on the altar to make a promise he must keep that
promise.' 19 You are so blind you can't you see that the altar is greater than any
gift on it? It is the altar that makes the gift holy!

20 Whoever uses the altar to make a vow is really using the altar and everything
it represents. 21 And anyone who uses the Temple to make a vow is really
invoking GOD, whose presence is in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven
swears by the throne of GOD and by the one who sits upon it.

23 "How terrible it will be for you ascribes and you bPharisees. Hypocrites! For
you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the
important things of the law, justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but
you should not leave undone the more important things. 24 You guide other
people, but you yourself are blind! Picture someone picking a tiny fly out of his
drink and then swallowing a camel! That’s what you are like.

25 "How horrible it will be for you, a scribes and b Pharisees! You hypocrites!
You clean the outside of cups and dishes. But inside they are full of greed and
uncontrolled desires. 26 You blind Pharisees! First clean the inside of a cup, and
then the outside will also be clean.

27 "How terrible for you, teachers of the Law (Scribes) and you Pharisees!
Hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look fine on the outside but
are full of bones and rotting corpses on the inside. 28 In the same way, on the
outside you appear good to everybody, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and
sins.

29 "How horrible it will be for you, a scribes and b Pharisees! hypocrites! You
build fine tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of those who
had GOD's approval. 30 Saying; if we had lived in the days of our forefathers,
we would not have aided them in shedding the blood of the prophets. 31
Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are the offspring of
those who murdered the prophets 32 and you will finish the sin that your
ancestors started! 33 Serpents! Offspring of vipers! How can you escape the
condemnation of c Gehenna?

34 I will send prophets and wise people and experts in the Law of Moses to you.
But you will kill them or nail them to a d Stauros or beat them in your meeting
places or chase them from town to town.
35 As a result, you will be held accountable for all the innocent blood of those
murdered on earth, from the murder of righteous Abel to that of Zechariah, son
of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 I
assure you; all the accumulated judgment of the centuries will come upon the
heads of this very generation.

Lament over Jerusalem

[Luke 13:34, 35, Luke 19:41,42]

37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who killed the prophets and stoned to death
those sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children together the way
a hen gathers her chicks under her wings! But you were un- willing and would
not let me! 38 Now, your Temple will be forsaken and left destitute of GODs
help. (1 Kings 9:7; Jer. 22:5.)

39 And I say to you; you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who
comes in the name of YHWH.’ (Psalm 118:26)

FOOTNOTES for Matthew Chapter 23

a
Scribes = Professors and teachers of religious law
b
Pharisees = 1Religious leaders at the time of Christ who were at various
times a political party, a social movement, and a school of thought in the Holy
Land during the time of Second Temple Judaism.
c
Gehenna = Translated “Hell’ in most Bibles. It was a place where the refuse
from the city of Jerusalem was disposed of in a fire pit that burned day and
night. It epitomized destruction from which there was no resurrection, re-
creation or relief.
d
Stauros = Stauros (σταυρός) is the correct Greek word found in original
scripture, meaning "upright stake". Being affixed to a stake was a common
form of punishment for the those considered the worst criminals in Jesus day.
In most New Testament Bibles of our own day the device on which Jesus was
executed is mistakenly translated as "cross".

MATTHEW 24:1

Temple Destruction and Other End Times Signs

[Mark 13:1–8, Luke 21:5–9]

As Jesus left the temple courtyard and was walking away, his disciples came to
him. They proudly pointed out to him the splendor of the temple compound.
2 Then Jesus said to them; Do you see all these things? Truly I say to you, there
will not be left here one stone on another that shall not be thrown down.

3 Later when they had arrived at the Mount of Olives and Jesus was seated
there his disciples came to Him privately and said, ‘Tell us, when will this take
place, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the a world?’

4 This is how Jesus replied to that request by his disciples; "Be careful not to let
anyone deceive you. 5 Many men, claiming to speak for me, will come and say, 'I
am the Messiah!' and they will fool many people. 6 You will hear reports about
wars that are being fought. And you will hear stories about other wars
beginning. But do not be afraid. These are things that must happen before the
end comes. 7 Nations will fight against other nations. Governments will fight
against other governments. There will be times when there is not enough food
for people to eat. And there will be earthquakes in different places all occurring
in various places.

More Difficulties to Come

8 These things are only the beginning of troubles, like the first pains of a woman
giving birth. 9 "Then you will be afflicted and handed over to be punished and
be put to death. Everyone will hate you, all because of me. 10 During that time
many believers will lose their faith and they will turn against each other and
have hatred for one another. 11 And numbers of false prophets will appear and
fool many people. 12 There will so much more evil on earth that the love of most
believers will grow cold. 13 But the one who perseveres and remains faithful to
the end, shall be saved.14 And the Good News I have shared about GOD's
kingdom will be told earth wide and spread to every nation. Then the end will
come.

The Abomination That Causes Desolation

[Mark 13:14–19, Luke 21:20–24]

15 "Daniel the prophet spoke about 'a terrible thing that causes destruction.'
You will see this terrible thing standing in the holy place." You who read this
should understand what it means. 16. Then let those who are in Judea flee to
the mountains; 17 Someone who is on the roof of a house must not take the time
to go down and get any belongings from the house. 18 Someone who is at work,
out in the field must not even go back to get a cloak. 19 "During that time it will
be hard for women who are pregnant or have small babies! 20 Pray that it will
not be winter or a Sabbath day when these things happen, and you must run
away, 21 for then there will be great tribulation (affliction, distress, and
oppression) such as has not been seen from the beginning of the a world until
now and never will be seen again.

22 And if those days are not cut short there would be no salvation for anyone,
but because of the saints those days will be made short.

23 Then if anyone shall tell you, look, here is Christ! or, There! Do not believe it.
24 For there will come up false b Christs, and false prophets, who will do great
signs and wonders; so that, if possible, even the saints might be tricked.

The Return of the Messiah

[Mark 13:24–27, Luke 21:25–28, Revelation 22:12]

25 Now I have warned you about this before it happens. 26 "Someone might
claim, 'The Messiah is there in the desert!' But do not go into the desert to look
for him. Someone else might say, 'There is the Messiah in that room!' But do not
believe it. 27 When the Son of Man does come, everyone will know. It will be
like lightning flashing in a sky that can be seen everywhere. 28 or like looking
for a dead body; you will find it by the sign of vultures circling above. 29 And
immediately after the tribulation of those days, the figurative sun shall be
darkened, and the figurative moon shall not give her light, and figurative stars
shall fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. 30
Then a sign will appear in the sky. And there will be the Son of Man. All nations
on earth will weep when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of
heaven with power and great glory. 31 At the sound of a loud trumpet, he will
send his angels to gather his saints together from every corner of the earth.

Learn a Lesson from the Fig Tree

[Mark 13:28–31, Luke 21:29–33]

32 Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches sprout and start putting
out leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So, when you see all these things
come to pass simultaneously, you will know that the time has almost come for
the Son of Man’s return in majesty and power. 34 Truly I say to you, in no way
will the generation seeing all these things pass away until everything I described
shall have occurred.

35 Earth and sky, will pass, but my words will last forever.

Always Be Ready For No One knows The Day He is Coming

[Mark 13:32–37, Luke 12:35–48, Genesis 6:1–7]

36 "No one knows when that day or time will be. The Son and the angels in
heaven do not know when it will be. Only the Father knows. 37 "When the Son
of Man comes, it will be just as it was in Noah’s time. 38 They were eating and
drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage. Until the day Noah entered into the
ark, 39 they were oblivious to what was happening, until the flood came and
destroyed them all. This is how it will be when the Son of Man comes.

40 "At that time two men will be working in the field. One will be taken, and the
other one will be left. 41.Two women will be at a mill grinding meal. One will be
taken away, the other will be left behind. 42 Watch therefore and give strict
attention, be cautious and alert, for you do not know in what day, whether near
or far off your Lord is coming.

43 You realize that if a homeowner had known at what time of the night a thief
was coming, he would have stayed awake and prevented the thief breaking into
his house. 44 So also, you must always be ready, because the Son of Man will be
coming at a time when you are not expecting him.

The Faithful and Wise Servant

45 "Who then, is a faithful and wise servant, the one that his master has trusted
to give his other servants their food at the proper time? 46 That servant will be
blessed if his master finds him doing his job correctly when he comes. 47 I can
tell you without a doubt, the master will choose that servant to care for all his
belongings.

48 On the other hand, what if that servant is wicked? He may think that it will
be a long time before his master comes and begin to beat the other servants. 49
Or, he may be eating and drinking with the drunkards and becoming
intoxicated himself. 50 If that happens, the master will surely come on a day
and at a time when the servant least expects him. 51 Then his master will
severely punish him and assign him a place with the hypocrites where people
will be crying and gnashing their teeth in pain.

FOOTNOTES for Matthew Chapter 24

a
world = The a world, or as the Greek renders it, the “Ionian Age” does not
refer to the literal earth. Rather as the apostles John and Paul were to point out
later, it refers to a system of rulership which controls affairs on the earth under
the influence of GOD’s adversary, Satan the Devil. (See 1 Jo. 5:19, 2 Cor. 4:4)
 b
Christs = The literal definition for “Christ” is “anointed’ hence the meaning we
must attach to false ‘Christs’ is; false anointed ones (or false saints).

MATTHEW CHAPTER 25

The kingdom Parable of Ten Virgin Women and a Bridegroom

MATTHEW 25:1 At that time GOD's kingdom will be like ten virgin women
who went to wait for their bridegroom. They all took their oil lamps with them.
2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took lamps,
but no extra oil. 4 The ones who were wise took along extra oil for their lamps.

5 Because the groom was late in arriving the virgins became drowsy and fell
asleep. 6 Then in the middle of the night someone shouted, "Here comes the
groom! Let us go to meet him!" 7 All the virgins got up and started getting their
lamps ready, but the foolish ones found their oil had been used up. 8 So they
said to the others, "Let us have some of your oil! Our lamps are going out." 9
The virgins who were wise answered, "We do not have enough oil for all these
lamps. Go and buy some for yourselves."10 While the foolish virgins were on
their way to get some oil, the groom arrived. The virgins who were ready went
into the wedding, and the doors were closed. 11 Later the others returned and
shouted, "Sir, sir! Open the door for us!" 12 But the bridegroom replied,
certainly not, "I don't even know you!"

13 So, my disciples, I tell you always be ready! You do not know the day or the
hour when the Son of Man will come.

The kingdom Parable of the Trustworthy Servants.

[Luke 19:11-27]

14 At that time the kingdom also will be like what happened when a man went
away and put his three servants in charge of all his money to take care of while
he was gone. 15 He decided how much each servant would be able to care for. To
one servant he entrusted five bags of money. Another servant was given two
bags, and he gave a third servant one bag and then he left on his trip.

16 The servant who got the five bags hurriedly went and invested the money and
those five bags of money earned five more. 17 It was the same with the servant
who had two bags. That servant quickly invested the money and earned two
more.18 But the servant who got one bag of money went away and dug a hole in
the ground. Then he buried the money in the ground.
19 "After a long absence the master came home. He asked the servants what
they did with his money. 20 The servant who got five bags brought that amount
and five more bags of money to the master. The servant said, 'Master, you
trusted me to care for five bags of money. So, I used them to earn five more.' 21
The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You
have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many
more responsibilities. Come and celebrate together with me.'

22 "When the servant who got two bags of money came to the master. He said,
'Master, you gave me two bags of money to care for. So, I used your two bags to
earn two more.' 23 The master said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.
You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you
many more responsibilities. Come and celebrate together with us!'
24 "Then the servant with the one bag of money came and said, 'Master, I know
you are a demanding man, hard to please. You harvest crops you did not plant
and gather crops you didn't cultivate. I was afraid I might lose your money, so I
buried it in the ground where no one would find it. Here is your bag of money
back.

26 "But the master replied, 'You wicked and lazy servant! You say you know I
am a hard man, do you, harvesting crops I didn't plant and gathering crops I
didn't cultivate? 27 Well, you should at least have invested my money in a safe
place, so I could have some interest. 28 Then the master said, Take the money
from this servant and give it to the one I trusted with the ten bags of money, 29
Adding; To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and
they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little
they were given will be taken away from them. 30 And now throw that worthless
servant outside, into the darkness, with those who are weeping and gnashing
their teeth.'

The Sheep and the Goats

[Ezekiel 34:7]

31 When the Son of Man comes in His glory (His majesty and splendor), and all
the holy angels with Him, then He will assume the throne of his sovereignty.

32 People of all nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them,
as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats. 33 As sovereign ruler, he will
place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the King will say
to those on his right, Come, you who have the blessing of my Father, into the
kingdom made ready for you before the a world was, 35 because when I was
hungry, you gave me food to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to
drink. When I had no place to stay, you welcomed me into your home. 36 And,
when I was naked, you gave me clothing. When I was sick, you cared for me.
When I was in prison, you visited me.'
[
37 "Then people who please GOD will ask, 'Lord, when did we ever see you
hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something
to drink? 38 When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear
39 or care for you while sick or visit you in prison?"

40 The King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you; In as much as you
did it to one of the least of these who are my brothers, you have done it to Me.

41 "Then the king will say to the evil people on his left, 'Get away from me. GOD
has already decided that you will be punished. Go into b Gehenna, the fire that
burns forever, the fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 Because
when I was hungry, you gave me nothing to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave
me nothing to drink. 43 When I had no place to stay, you did not welcome me
into your home. When I was without clothes, you gave me nothing to wear.
When I was sick and in prison, you did not care for me.'

44 "Then those people will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or
thirsty? When did we see you without a place to stay? Or when did we see you
without clothes or sick or in prison? When did we see any of this and not help
you?'

45 "The king will answer; 'I assure you, when you refused to help the least of
these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' 46 Then Jesus
said, "Those people will receive everlasting punishment. but the ones who
pleased GOD will have everlasting life."

FOOTNOTES for Matthew Chapter 25.

a
world = The a world, or as the Greek renders it, the “Ionian Age” does not
refer to the literal earth. Rather as the apostles John and Paul were to point
out later, it refers to a system of rulership which controls affairs on the earth
under the influence of GOD’s adversary, Satan the Devil. (See 1 Jo. 5:19, 2 Cor.
4:4)
 b
Gehenna = Translated “Hell’ in most Bibles. It was a place where the refuse
from the city of Jerusalem was disposed of in a fire pit that burned day and
night. It epitomized destruction from which there was no resurrection, re-
creation or relief.

MATTHEW 26:1

Religious Leaders Conspire to Kill Jesus.

[Mark 14:1–2, Luke 22:1–2, John 11:45–57]

1. After Jesus finished saying all these things, he said to his followers,2 As you
know, in two days' time, 'It will be Passover, and the Son of man will be handed
over for impalement.'

3 At that same time the chief priests and the nation's leaders were holding a
meeting at the home of Caiaphas the high priest. 4 They were secretly scheming
how they could have Jesus arrested and put to death. 5 But they decided, "We
must not do it during Passover, because an uproar will occur among the
people."

Jesus Pre-Anointed at Bethany for Burial.

[Mark 14:3–9, Luke 7:36–50, John 12:1–8)

6 Jesus came to the town of Bethany and was eating at the home of a man
named Simon, who had been a leper. 7 While he was there, a woman came to
him. She had an alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. She poured the
perfume on Jesus' head while he was eating. 8 When the disciples saw it, they
were indignant, seeing this as wasteful? 9 They told her; we could have sold it
for a high price and given the money to the poor."

10 But Jesus knowing what they were thinking said, "Why are you bothering
this woman? She did a very good thing for me. 11 You will always have the poor
with you, but you will not always have me. 12 This woman poured perfume on
my body in preparation for my burial after I die. 13 And you can be sure;
wherever the good news is told all over the world, people will remember what
she has done. And they will tell others.

Judas Negotiates to Betray Jesus.

[Mark 14:10–11, Luke 22:3–6]
14 Then one of the Twelve (apostles), Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests. 15
He said, what are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you? They
agreed among themselves and weighed out thirty pieces of silver which they
paid him on the spot. (Zech. 11:12. Exod. 21:32) 16 From then on Judas was
looking for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them.

Passover Preparations.
[Mark 14:12–16, Luke 22:7–13]

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say,
'Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?' 18
Jesus answered, "Go into the city where you will find a man I know. Tell him
that the Teacher says, 'The chosen time is near and that I desire to have the
Passover meal with my followers at your house.'19 Accordingly the disciples did
just as Jesus had directed them, and they made ready the Passover supper.
(Deut. 16:5-8.)

The Last Supper or Lord’s Evening Meal

[Mark 14:17–26, Luke 22:14–23, 1 Corinthians 11:17–34]

20 When evening came, and he had reclined with the Twelve and they were
eating, he said to them; 21 "One of you is going to betray me to my enemies."

22 His disciples were exceedingly distressed, deeply hurt, and sorrowful. They
began to say to Him one after another; surely it cannot be I, Lord, can it? 23
Jesus answered, "Someone who dipped his hand into the bowl with me will
betray me.

24 The Son of Man will suffer what the Scriptures have told us will happen to
him. But it will be very bad for the one who hands him over to be killed. It
would be better for that one if he had never been born."25 Then Judas, the one
who betrayed Jesus, asked, "You don't mean me, do you, Rabbi?" "Yes, I do,"
Jesus replied. Later, Jesus words came to pass as Judas did betray him.

26 During the meal, Jesus took bread, said a blessing, and broke it. Then he
gave it to his disciples and said: Take this bread and eat it for this means my
body. 27 Now Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to GOD. Then he
gave the cup to his disciples and said, "Take this and drink it. 28 This means my
blood, and with-it GOD seals his covenant with you. It will be poured out, so
that many people will have their sins forgiven. 29 and I say to you, that I may
not drink henceforth of this wine, till that day when I may drink new wine when
we are together in the kingdom of my Father.' 30 Then they sang a hymn and
went out toward the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial.

[Mark 14:27–31, Luke 22:31–38, John 13:36–38, Zechariah 13:7–9]

31 Jesus told the disciples, "Tonight you will all lose your faith in me. The
Scriptures say, 'I will kill the shepherd, and the sheep will run away.' 32 But
after I am killed, I will rise from death. I will go ahead of you to Galilee before
you arrive there. 33 Peter spoke out to him and said, "Even if everyone else
abandons you, I never will."

34 Jesus replied, "I promise you that before a rooster crows tonight, you will
deny me three times. 35 But Peter said, "Even if I have to die with you, I will
never say I don't know you." All the others said the same thing.

Jesus Prays at Gethsemane

[Mark 14:32–42, Luke 22:39–46]

36 Jesus continued on with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When

they got there, he told them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37 He
took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, James and John, and he began to be filled
with anguish and deep distress. 38 Then he said to them, "I am almost dying of
sorrow; remain here and stay awake with me."

39 Jesus walked a distance further. Then he knelt with his face to the ground
and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, don't make me suffer by having me
drink from this cup. But let what you want, be done and not what I want."

40 After that when he returned to the three disciples, he found them asleep.
And, he said to Peter, "How is it that you three were not able to keep watch with
me for even one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation.
Your spirit wants to do the right thing, but your body is weak."

42 Then Jesus went away from them a second time and prayed; "My Father, if I
must do this and it is not possible for me to escape it, then I pray that your will
be done." 43 When he came back, he again found them asleep again, because
their eyes were very heavy.
44 So he left them and went away one more time and prayed. This third time he
prayed, the same way as before.

The Betrayal
[Mark 14:43–52, Luke 22:47–53, John 18:1–14]

45 Then he came to the disciples and said, "Still sleeping? Still resting? Look,
the hour is at hand. I, the Son of Man, have been betrayed into the hands of
sinners. 46 Now, Get up! Let us go. The one who will betray me is already here."
47 As Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the apostles came up with a large
mob armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the chief priests and
the nation's leaders.

48 Judas had told them ahead of time, "Arrest the man I greet with a kiss." 49
Judas went straight to Jesus and said, "Shalom, (Peace be with you) Teacher,"
and kissed him. 50 Friend; I know why you have come here. Be quick about it.
Then some men stepped forward, took hold of Jesus, and arrested him.

51 Suddenly one of the disciples with Jesus pulled out a sword. He struck a
servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 "Put your sword back in its
place," Jesus said to him. "All who live by the sword will die by the sword. 53
Don't you know that I could call on my Father for help, and at once he would
send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But it must happen this way to
show the truth of what the Scriptures say, will be fulfilled.

55 Jesus said to the mob who had come for him, "Why do you come with swords
and clubs to arrest me as if I am some criminal? Day after day I sat and taught
in the temple, and you did not arrest me. 56 But all this is taking place that the
Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples abandoned
him and fled.

Jesus Taken before the Sanhedrin

(Mark 14:53–65, Luke 22:66–71, John 18:19–24)

57 The men who arrested Jesus took him to the house of Caiaphas the high
priest where the teachers of the law and the older Jewish leaders were gathered.
58 Peter followed Jesus but stayed behind the men at a distance. He followed
them to the yard of the high priest's house then went in and sat with the guards.
He wanted to see what would happen to Jesus.
59 The chief priests and the high council (Sanhedrin) were determined to find
something against Jesus so that he would be killed. They tried to find people to
lie and say that Jesus had done wrong. 60 But they could not find any who were
credible, even though many people came forward and wove lies about him.
Finally, two men stepped up and said 61 that "Jesus claimed he would tear
down GOD's temple and build it again in three days." 62 The chief priest stood
up and said to Jesus, "Don't you have any answer to what these men testify
against you?"

63 But Jesus continued to remain silent. So, the Chief priest said, "With the
living god looking on, you must tell the truth. Tell us, are you the Messiah, the
Son of GOD?" 64 Jesus said to him; You are the one who said it. I’ll tell you
something else; After this, you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand
of power and coming on the clouds of the heavens. (Dan. 7:13, Psalm. 110:1)

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, He has spoken blasphemy!
What further need do we have of witnesses? See, now you have heard his
blasphemy yourselves. 66 What do you think now? They answered, "He is guilty
and deserves to die!" 67 Then some present spit in Jesus' face and hit him with
their fists. Others slapped him. 68 they said sarcastically, "You Messiah, if
you're a prophet, tell us who hit you."

Peter Denies Jesus

[Mark 14:66–72; Luke 22:54–62, John 18:15–18]

69 While Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, a servant girl came up to him
and said, "You were with Jesus from Galilee." 70 But in front of everyone Peter
said, "That isn't so! I don't know what you are talking about!" 71 Then as he was
leaving the yard, at the gate another girl saw him and said to the people there,
"This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 Again Peter denied it, and this time
he swore, "I don't even know that man!"

73 After a little while, some bystanders came up and said to Peter; You certainly
are one of them too. We can tell because your accent is like someone from
Galilee." 74 Then Peter began to curse and swear with an oath, "I don't know the
man!" At that very moment when his words were barely out of his mouth a
rooster crowed 75 and Peter remembered that Jesus had said, "Before a rooster
crows, you will say three times that you don't know me." Then Peter went out
and wept bitterly.
MATTHEW 27:1

Jesus is Delivered to Pontius Pilate.

[Mark 15;1-5, John 18:28-40]

MATTHEW 27:1 When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of
the people held a consultation against Jesus on their strategy to have him
executed, 2 after that they had him bound, and taken away to be delivered to
Pontius Pilate the governor.

Judas Commits Suicide.

[Acts 1;17, John 17:12, Zechariah 11:10–17,]
3 When Judas, his betrayer, heard that they had condemned Jesus to be killed
his mind was troubled for his former folly; and with remorse he wanted to give
back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, (Exod. 21:32.)
4 and said, "I have sinned by betraying a man who has never done anything
wrong." "So, what? That is your problem," they replied. 5 Then Judas threw the
thirty pieces of silver down in the temple and departed. And he went and
hanged himself. 6 The chief priests gathered up the coins and said, "This is
blood money, and it is against our Law to put it in the Temple treasury." 7 So
they decided to use the money to buy a field called Potter's Field where people
who died while visiting Jerusalem could be buried. 8 That is why that field is
still called the Field of Blood. 9 So the words of the prophet Zechariah came
true, "They took the thirty silver coins, the price of a person among the people
of Israel. 10 “They used those 30 silver coins to buy the potter's field, as YHWH
commanded me."

Jesus Appears Before Pilate

[Luke 23:1–5, John 18:28–40]

11 Jesus was brought before the Roman governor Pilate, for questioning. "Are
you the king of the Jews?" he asked. "You said it! Jesus replied. 12 Then, when
the leading priests and the older Jewish leaders made their accusations against
Jesus, he remained silent and said nothing. 13 So Pilate said to him, "Don't you
hear all these charges they are making against you? Why don't you answer?" 14
But Jesus still did not say anything, and this really caused the governor to be
curious.

The Crowd Chooses to Free Barabbas instead of Jesus.

[Mark 15:6–11, Luke 23:13–25)
15 Now at Passover time it was the custom for the governor to set free a prisoner
chosen by the people.16 And a well-known criminal terrorist named Barabbas
was in jail. 17 When a crowd gathered, Pilate said to them, "I will free one man
for you. Which one do you want me to free: Barabbas or Jesus who is called the
Messiah?" 18 Pilate knew that the leaders had brought Jesus to him because
they were envious. 19 While the case was before Pilate for judging, his wife had
sent him a message. which said, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent
man. I have had a dream about him which troubled me greatly”. 20 But the
chief priests and the leaders convinced the crowds to ask for Barabbas to be set
free and for Jesus to be killed.

21 Pilate asked the crowd again, "Which of these two men do you want me to set
free?" "Barabbas!" they replied. 22 Then Pilate asked them, "What am I to do
with Jesus, who is called the Messiah?" They all yelled, "Nail him to the
stauros!" 23 Pilate answered, "But what crime has he done?" "Nail him to a
stauros!" they yelled even louder. 24 Pilate saw that there was nothing he could
do and that the people were about to start a riot. So, he took some water and
washed his hands in front of them. Then he said I have washed my hands of this
whole affair and, "I won't have anything to do with killing this man. You are the
ones doing it!"

25 Then all the people answered and said, let his blood be on us and on our
children. We will take full responsibility. 26 Then he released Barabbas to them,
and he ordered his soldiers to beat Jesus with a whip and have him nailed him
to a stauros.

Roman Soldiers Mock Jesus

[Mark 15:16–20, Luke 22:63–65, John 19:1–15, Isaiah 50:4–11]

27 The governor's soldiers then took Jesus into the palace, and the whole throng
surrounded Him. 28 They took off Jesus' clothes and put a red robe on him. 29
Then they made a crown from thorny branches and put it on his head, and they
put a stick in his right hand. Then they bowed before him, making fun of him.
They said, "We salute you, king of the Jews!" 30 And spitting upon him, they
took a reed and struck his head.

Jesus Execution
[Mark 15:21- 32, Luke 23:26–43, John 19:16–2, Psalm 22:1–31]

31 And when they finished making sport by mocking Jesus, they stripped Him
of the robe, put his own garments on Him and led Him away to be impaled on a
stauros 32 On the way out of Jerusalem they met a man, a Cyrenean named
Simon, and they forced him to carry Jesus' stauros. 33 They came to a place
named Golgotha, which means "Place of a Skull." 34 There they gave Jesus
some wine mixed with a drug to ease the pain. But when Jesus tasted what it
was, he refused to drink it. 35 Then when they had impaled Him, they divided
and distributed His garments among themselves by casting lots so that the
prophet's saying was fulfilled; ‘They parted My garments among them and
over My apparel they cast lots’. (Ps. 22:18.) 36 After that they sat down there
and kept guard over Him.

King of the Jews.

37 Above his head they put a sign that told what he was accused of and why he
was impaled there. It read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." 38 The soldiers
also nailed two criminals on stakes, one to the right of Jesus and the other to his
left.

39 People who passed by said terrible things about Jesus. They shook their
heads and 40 shouted, "So you're the one who claimed you could tear down the
temple and build it again in three days! If you are GOD's Son, save yourself and
come down from the stauros (stake)!"

41 The chief priests, the leaders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses also
mocked Jesus. They said, "He saved others, but he can't save himself. If he is the
king of Israel, he should come down from the stauros! Then we will believe him.
43 He said he trusted GOD, so GOD should save him, if he wants to. He even
said he was GOD's Son." 44 And in the same ways, the two criminals impaled
beside Jesus also insulted him.

The Death of Jesus

[Psalm 22:1–31; Mark 15:33–41; Luke 23:44–49; John 19:28–30)

45 Now from the sixth hour (noon) the whole area was plunged into darkness
which lasted until the ninth hour (three o'clock). 46 It was about that time that
Jesus cried out, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My god, my god,
why have you deserted me?"

47 Some of the people standing there who heard Jesus said, "He's calling for
Elijah." 48 One of them at once ran and grabbed a sponge. He soaked it in wine,
then put it on a stick and held it up to Jesus. 49 Others said, "Wait! Let us see if
Elijah will come and save him."
50 Once again Jesus cried out, and then he died.

51 Immediately the curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two from top to
bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 tombs were opened and many of
the saints who had fallen asleep in death were aroused from the sleep of death.

53 After Jesus' resurrection. They left their tombs and went into the holy city of
Jerusalem, where they appeared to many people.

54 The officer and the soldiers guarding Jesus felt the earthquake and saw all
else that happened. This frightened them and then they said, "This man really
was GOD's Son!"

55 There were also a number of women there, looking on from a distance They
were among those who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee, ministering to
him.56 Among their group were Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of
James the less and Joseph and Mary the mother of Zebedee’s sons who were
James and John.

The Burial of Jesus

[Mark 15:42–47, Luke 23:50–56, John 19:38–42, Isaiah 53:9–12]

57 That evening Joseph a wealthy follower of Jesus from the town of Arimathea
arrived there. 58 He had gone to Pilate and asked to have Jesus' body. Pilate
gave orders for the soldiers to release Jesus' body to him. 59 Then Joseph took
the body and wrapped it in a new linen cloth.

60 He put Jesus' body in a new tomb that had been dug in a wall of rock. Then
he closed it by rolling a very large stone to cover the entrance. After he did this,
he went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other woman named Mary came and
were sitting near the tomb.

Soldiers Guard the Tomb

62 The next day, which was the first day of the Passover ceremonies, the leading
priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. 63 and said to him; Sir, we remember
what that deceiver said, while he was alive; “In three days I will rise again”. 64
So please order the tomb to be well guarded for three days. If you do not, his
disciples may come and steal his body. Then they will tell people that he has
been raised to life, and this last lie will be worse than before."
65 Pilate told them, Alright, "you can have the soldiers you want for guard duty.
Go and make the tomb as secure as you know how."66 So they all went to the
tomb and made it safe from thieves. They did this by sealing the stone in the
entrance and posting soldiers outside to guard it.

MATTHEW CHAPTER 28

Resurrection
[Mark 16:1–8, Luke 24:1–12, John 20:1–9]

1. MATTHEW 28:1 The Sabbath was over, and it was almost daybreak on
Sunday when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2
Suddenly a strong earthquake struck, and GOD’s angel came down from
heaven. He rolled away the stone and sat on it. 3The angel had the appearance
of brilliant lightning and he had clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards became
so deathly afraid of him that they shook and then fainted as if dead.

5 But the angel said to the women; ‘do not be alarmed or frightened, for I know
that you are looking for Jesus, who died on the stauros. 6 He is not here! GOD
has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would. Come, see for yourself where
his body was lying’. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that Jesus has been
brought back to life. And he will be going ahead of them into Galilee where they
will see him. Remember what I am telling you!

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb. They were afraid, but they were
also incredibly happy. They ran to tell Jesus’ disciples what happened. 9
Suddenly Jesus appeared in front of them and said, ‘Shalom’ ("Peace be with
you."). They came up to him, took hold of his feet, and a worshiped him.
10. Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid. Go tell my disciples to go to
Galilee. They will see me there."

The Guards Report

11 The women went to tell the followers. At the same time, some of the soldiers
who were guarding the tomb went into the city. They reported to the chief
priests everything that happened.

12 And when the chief priests had gathered with the elders and had consulted
together, they gave a considerable sum of money to the soldiers,13 to "tell the
people that Jesus' followers came during the night and stole the body while you
were sleeping.”

14 They said, If the governor hears about this, we will talk to him and keep you
out of trouble."15 So, the soldiers kept the money and obeyed the priests. And
that story is still circulating among the Jews even today.

Apostles Receive “The Great Commission”.

[Mark 16:14-18, Acts 17:8]

16 The eleven disciples (apostles) went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus
told them to go. 17 On the mountain they saw Jesus and paid homage ( a
proskuneo’) to him. But among the apostles were some who did not believe it
was really Jesus.

18 So he came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth is given
to me. 19 So go and make disciples of all people in the world. Baptize them in
the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 and teach them to b
observe (tereo) everything that I have told you. And you can be sure that I will
be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of the c world."

FOOTNOTES for Matthew Chapter 28

a
proskuneo = Is the Greek word which appeared in scripture and is translated
in many Bible versions as “worship”. However, ‘proskuneo’ has numerous other
meanings of deference than worship.
(From Thayer / BDB) -to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence
2) among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the
ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence 3) in the NT
by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in
order to express respect or to make supplication 3a) used of homage shown to
men and beings of superior rank 3a1) to the Jewish high priests 3a2) to God
3a3) to Christ 3a4) to heavenly beings 3a5) to demons
b
observe = The word ‘observe’ (Greek ‘tereo’) is mistakenly translated as ‘keep’
or ‘obey’ in some Bibles. However, the original word had the following
meanings according to Thayer / BDB and others. Tereo {tay-reh'-o) from teros
(a watch, perhaps akin to G2334); to attend to carefully, take care of 1a) to
guard 1b) metaph. to keep, one in the state in which he is 1c) to observe 1d) to
reserve: to undergo something.
c
world = The world, or as the Greek renders it, the “Ionian Age” does not refer
to the literal earth. Rather as the apostles John and Paul were to point out later,
it refers to a system of rulership which controls affairs on the earth under the
influence of GOD’s adversary, Satan the Devil. (See 1 Jo. 5:19, 2 Cor. 4:4