Study Desk

Heal the sick. Bring the dead back to life. Heal the people who have leprosy. And force demons out of people. I give you these powers freely, so help others freely.

"Listen! I am sending you, and you will be like sheep among wolves. So be smart like snakes. But also be like doves and don't hurt anyone.

"So don't be afraid of those people. Everything that is hidden will be shown. Everything that is secret will be made known.

So don't be afraid. You are worth more than a whole flock of birds.

When John was in prison, he heard about the things that were happening—things the Messiah would do. So he sent some of his followers to Jesus.

So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, John is a prophet. But I tell you, he is more than that.

Then Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I am thankful that you have hidden these things from those who are so wise and so smart. But you have shown them to people who are like little children.

About that same time, Jesus was walking through the fields of grain on a Sabbath day. His followers were with him, and they were hungry. So they began to pick the grain and eat it.

In the synagogue there was a man with a crippled hand. Some Jews there were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus of doing wrong. So they asked him, "Is it right to heal on the Sabbath day?"

Surely a man is more important than a sheep. So it is right to do good on the Sabbath day."

Jesus knew what the Pharisees were planning. So he left that place, and many people followed him. He healed all who were sick,

Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking. So he said to them, "Every kingdom that fights against itself will be destroyed. And every city or family that is divided against itself will not survive.

So if Satan forces out his own demons, then he is fighting against himself, and his kingdom will not survive.

You say that I use the power of Satan to force out demons. If that is true, then what power do your people use when they force out demons? So your own people will prove that you are wrong.

"So I tell you, people can be forgiven for every sinful thing they do and for every bad thing they say against God. But anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

You snakes! You are so evil. How can you say anything good? What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts.

So it says, ‘I will go back to the home I left.' When it comes back, it finds that home still empty. It is all neat and clean.

A large crowd gathered around him. So he got into a boat and sat down. All the people stayed on the shore.

So they show that what Isaiah said about them is true: ‘You people will listen and listen, but you will not understand. You will look and look, but you will not really see.

"So listen to the meaning of that story about the farmer: