Study Desk

So the apostles went out. They traveled through all the towns. They told the Good News and healed people everywhere.

Herod said, "I cut off John's head. So who is this man I hear these things about?" Herod continued trying to see Jesus.

So the followers did this and everyone sat down.

But the followers did not understand what he meant. The meaning was hidden from them so that they could not understand it. But they were afraid to ask Jesus about what he said.

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he took a little child and stood the child beside him.

Then the Holy Spirit made Jesus feel very happy. 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. Yes, Father, you did this because it's what you really wanted to do.

But the man wanted to show that the way he was living was right. So he said to Jesus, "But who is my neighbor?"

So I tell you, continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you.

Even you who are bad know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father knows how to give the Holy Spirit to the people who ask him."

But he knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, "Every kingdom that fights against itself will be destroyed. And a family that fights against itself will break apart.

So if Satan is fighting against himself, how will his kingdom survive? You say that I use the power of Satan to force out demons.

But if I use Satan's power to force out demons, then what power do your people use when they force out demons? So your own people will prove that you are wrong.

"When an evil spirit comes out of someone, it travels through dry places, looking for a place to rest. But it finds no place to rest. So it says, ‘I will go back to the home I left.'

"No one takes a light and puts it under a bowl or hides it. Instead, they put it on a lampstand so that the people who come in can see.

So be careful! Don't let the light in you become darkness.

After Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee asked Jesus to eat with him. So he went and took a place at the table.

So pay attention to what is inside. Give to the people who need help. Then you will be fully clean.

"So you people who live now will be punished for the deaths of all the prophets who were killed since the beginning of the world.

Many thousands of people came together. There were so many people that they were stepping on each other. Before Jesus spoke to the people, he said to his followers, "Be careful of the yeast of the Pharisees. I mean that they are hypocrites.

"But God said to that man, ‘Foolish man! Tonight you will die. So what about the things you prepared for yourself? Who will get those things now?'