Study Desk

And although they sought to arrest Him, they feared the crowds, since they considered Him to be a prophet.

"And he sent 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 separate ways, one to his own farm, another to his business,

"Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all whom they found, both bad 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 do not care what anyone thinks; for You are not partial to anyone.

"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 pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."

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

Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them.

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

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

"And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the seats of honor in the synagogues,

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.

"For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will mislead many people.

"Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

"And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another.

"And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.

"And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.