Study Desk

"They love the place of distinction and honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues [those on the platform near the scrolls of the Law, facing the congregation],

"Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence (unrestrained greed).

"For many will come in My name [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], saying, 'I am the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),' and they will mislead many.

"Then they will hand you over to [endure] tribulation, and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

"At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another.

"For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will provide great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God's chosen ones).

"And at that time the sign of the Son of Man [coming in His glory] will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth [and especially Israel] will mourn [regretting their rebellion and rejection of the Messiah], and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN with power and great glory [in brilliance and splendor].

"And He will send His angels with A LOUD TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect (God's chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

"For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah entered the ark,

and they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be [unexpected judgment].

"Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep.

"But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked.

"Then they also [in their turn] will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to You?'

But when the disciples saw it they were indignant and angry, saying, "Why all this waste [of money]?

and said, "What are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you?" And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver.

[Accordingly] the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

And as they were eating, He said, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you that one of you will betray Me."

Now as they were eating Jesus took bread, and after blessing it, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."

Peter replied to Him, "Though they all fall away because of You [and doubt and disown You], I will never fall away!"

Jesus said to Judas, "Friend, do what you came for." Then they came and seized Jesus and arrested Him.