Study Desk

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?

"But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority and the power on earth to forgive sins"—then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your stretcher and go home."

But when Jesus heard this, He said, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but [only] those who are sick.

"Go and learn what this [Scripture] means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION [for those in distress], AND NOT [animal] SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to change], but sinners [those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness]."

Then the disciples of John [the Baptist] came to Jesus, asking, "Why do we and the Pharisees often fast [as a religious exercise], but Your disciples do not fast?"

"But no one puts a piece of unshrunk (new) cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results.

"Nor is new wine put into old wineskins [that have lost their elasticity]; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the [fermenting] wine spills and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, so both are preserved."

While He was saying these things to them, a ruler (synagogue official) entered [the house] and kneeled down and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just now died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live."

But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Take courage, daughter; your [personal trust and confident] faith [in Me] has made you well." And at once the woman was [completely] healed.

He said, "Go away; for the girl is not dead, but is sleeping." And they laughed and jeered at Him.

But when the crowd had been sent outside, Jesus went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up.

But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout that whole district.

But the Pharisees were saying, "He casts out the demons by [the power of] the ruler of demons."

Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is [indeed] plentiful, but the workers are few.

but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

"If [the family living in] the house is worthy [welcoming you and your message], give it your [blessing of] peace [that is, a blessing of well-being and prosperity, the favor of God]. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.

"But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you within that [very] hour;

for it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

"And you will be hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name, but it is the one who has patiently persevered and endured to the end who will be saved.

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.