Study Desk

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."

"Be quiet!" many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit.

He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves."

When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."

But do we dare say it was merely human?" For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet.

But the farmers grabbed the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed.

The owner then sent another servant, but they insulted him and beat him over the head.

"But the tenant farmers said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let's kill him and get the estate for ourselves!'

The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.

So the second brother married the widow, but he also died without children. Then the third brother married her.

"But now, as to whether the dead will be raised—haven't you ever read about this in the writings of Moses, in the story of the burning bush? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'

For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on."

Jesus replied, "Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!"

And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately.

Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

"When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.

But when you are arrested and stand trial, don't worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.