Study Desk

And some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man blasphemes [by claiming the rights and prerogatives of God]!"

"For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven and the penalty paid,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? [Both are possible for God; both are impossible for man.]

When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God and praised Him, who had given such authority and power to men.

"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.

"Beware of men [whose nature is to act in opposition to God], for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues;

"And blessed [joyful, favored by God] is he who does not take offense at Me [accepting Me as the Messiah and trusting confidently in My message of salvation]."

"Woe (judgment is coming) to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon [cities of the Gentiles], they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes [their hearts would have been changed and they would have expressed sorrow for their sin and rebellion against God].

how he went into the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests only?

"But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you [before you expected it].

But He replied and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation [that is morally unfaithful to God] craves and demands a [miraculous] sign; but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah;

"But blessed [spiritually aware, and favored by God] are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.

"I assure you and most solemnly say to you, many prophets and righteous men [who were honorable and in right standing with God] longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

"Then THE RIGHTEOUS [those who seek the will of God] WILL SHINE FORTH [radiating the new life] LIKE THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.

Then those in the boat worshiped Him [with awe-inspired reverence], saying, "Truly You are the Son of God!"

He replied to them, "Why also do you violate the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition [handed down by the elders]?

"For God said [through Moses], 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,' and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF or INSULTS or TREATS IMPROPERLY FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH.'

"But you say, 'If anyone says to his father or mother, "Whatever [money or resource that] I have that would help you is [already dedicated and] given to God,"

he is not to honor his father or his mother [by helping them with their need].' So by this you have invalidated the word of God [depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect] for the sake of your tradition [handed down by the elders].

He answered, "I was commissioned by God and sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

So the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they praised and glorified the God of Israel.