Study Desk

"The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?" And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Then why did you not believe him?'

And answering Jesus, they said, "We do not know." He also said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

"Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you.

"Again he sent another group of slaves larger than the first; and they did the same thing to them.

"But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.'

"They took him, and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

They said to Him, "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine-growers who will pay him the proceeds at the proper seasons."

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them.

"And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come.

"But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business,

"Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.

Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said.

And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any.

"Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax." And they brought Him a denarius.

They said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."

And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.

therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.

"They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.

"But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.

"They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues,