Study Desk

When the disciples saw it, they were astonished and asked, "How is it that the fig tree has withered away all at once?"

"The baptism of John—from where did it come? From heaven [that is, ordained by God] or from men?" And they began debating among themselves [considering the implications of their answer], saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Then why did you not believe John?'

So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And He said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what [kind of] authority I do these things."

"Again he sent other servants, more than the first time; and they treated them the same way.

"Finally he sent his own son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son and have regard for him.'

"But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This [man] is the heir; come on, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.'

"So they took the son and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

They said to Him, "He will put those despicable men to a miserable end, and rent out the vineyard to other tenants [of good character] 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 talking about them.

And although they were trying to arrest Him, they feared the people, because they regarded Jesus as a prophet.

"And he sent his servants to call those who had [previously] been invited to the wedding feast, but they refused to come.

"But they paid no attention [they disregarded the invitation, treating it with contempt] and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.

"Those servants went out into the streets and gathered together all the people they could find, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests [sitting at the banquet table].

They sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are sincere and that You teach the way of God truthfully, without concerning Yourself about [what] anyone [thinks or says of Your teachings]; for You are impartial and do not seek anyone's favor [and You treat all people alike, regardless of status].

"Show me the coin used for the poll-tax." And they brought Him a denarius [a day's wage].

They said, "[The Emperor Tiberius] 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."

When they heard this, they were caught off guard, and they left Him and went away.

so practice and observe everything they tell you, but do not do as they do; for they preach [things], but do not practice them.

"The scribes and Pharisees tie up heavy loads [that are hard to bear] and place them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger [to make them lighter].

"They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries (tefillin) wide [to make them more conspicuous] and make their tassels long.