Study Desk

"The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.

Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.

And he said to them, "This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.

But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest's slave, slashing off his ear.

Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away.

he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.

Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, "Why do we need other witnesses?

You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?" "Guilty!" they all cried. "He deserves to die!"

They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head.

When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece.

Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last.

but the angel said, "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.

Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died."

The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened. [The most ancient manuscripts of Mark conclude with verse 16:8. Later manuscripts add one or both of the following endings.] [Shorter Ending of Mark] Then they briefly reported all this to Peter and his companions. Afterward Jesus himself sent them out from east to west with the sacred and unfailing message of salvation that gives eternal life. Amen.

Afterward he appeared in a different form to two of his followers who were walking from Jerusalem into the country.

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron.

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.

You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,