Study Desk

From all Judea and Jerusalem crowds of people went to John. They told how sorry they were for their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.

He stayed there for forty days while Satan tested him. Jesus was with the wild animals, but angels took care of him.

Simon and the others started looking for him.

And when they found him, they said, "Everyone is looking for you!"

Jesus felt sorry for the man. So he put his hand on him and said, "I want to! Now you are well."

Is it easier for me to tell this crippled man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and pick up his mat and go on home?

As he walked along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the place for paying taxes, and Jesus said to him, "Come with me!" So he got up and went with Jesus.

Jesus finished by saying, "People were not made for the good of the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for the good of people.

Jesus was angry as he looked around at the people. Yet he felt sorry for them because they were so stubborn. Then he told the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did, and his bad hand was healed.

Jesus' mother and brothers came and stood outside. Then they sent someone with a message for him to come out to them.

He answered: I have explained the secret about God's kingdom to you, but for others I can use only stories.

But once it is planted, it grows larger than any garden plant. It even puts out branches that are big enough for birds to nest in its shade.

But Jesus would not let him. Instead, he said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how good he has been to you."

The man went away into the region near the ten cities known as Decapolis and began telling everyone how much Jesus had done for him. Everyone who heard what had happened was amazed.

and started begging him for help. He said, "My daughter is about to die! Please come and touch her, so she will get well and live."

In the crowd was a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years.

Herod had earlier married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. But John had told him, "It isn't right for you to take your brother's wife!" So, in order to please Herodias, Herod arrested John and put him in prison.

Finally, Herodias got her chance when Herod gave a great birthday celebration for himself and invited his officials, his army officers, and the leaders of Galilee.

The daughter of Herodias came in and danced for Herod and his guests. She pleased them so much that Herod said, "Ask for anything, and it's yours!

The girl left and asked her mother, "What do you think I should ask for?" Her mother answered, "The head of John the Baptist!"