Study Desk

Jesus turned to them and said, "Women of Jerusalem! Don't cry for me, but for yourselves and your children.

For the days are coming when people will say, ‘How lucky are the women who never had children, who never bore babies, who never nursed them!'

For if such things as these are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong."

There was a man named Joseph from Arimathea, a town in Judea. He was a good and honorable man, who was waiting for the coming of the Kingdom of God. Although he was a member of the Council, he had not agreed with their decision and action.

He went into the presence of Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

Then they went back home and prepared the spices and perfumes for the body. On the Sabbath they rested, as the Law commanded.

Full of fear, the women bowed down to the ground, as the men said to them, "Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive?

Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and then to enter his glory?"

Look at my hands and my feet, and see that it is I myself. Feel me, and you will know, for a ghost doesn't have flesh and bones, as you can see I have."

John answered by quoting the prophet Isaiah: "I am ‘the voice of someone shouting in the desert: Make a straight path for the Lord to travel!'"

Jesus turned, saw them following him, and asked, "What are you looking for?" They answered, "Where do you live, Rabbi?" (This word means "Teacher.")

The Jews have rules about ritual washing, and for this purpose six stone water jars were there, each one large enough to hold between twenty and thirty gallons.

It was almost time for the Passover Festival, so Jesus went to Jerusalem.

There was no need for anyone to tell him about them, because he himself knew what was in their hearts.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.

The woman answered, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan—so how can you ask me for a drink?" (Jews will not use the same cups and bowls that Samaritans use.)

Jesus answered, "If you only knew what God gives and who it is that is asking you for a drink, you would ask him, and he would give you life-giving water."

The one who reaps the harvest is being paid and gathers the crops for eternal life; so the one who plants and the one who reaps will be glad together.