Study Desk

But be sure of this: if the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched andwould have watched and">[fn] would not have let his house be broken into.Matthew 24:43; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; 16:15;">[xr]

The Lord said, "Who, then, is the faithful and careful manager whom his master will put in charge of giving all his other servants their share of food at the right time?Matthew 24:45; 25:21; 1 Corinthians 4:2;">[xr]

How blessed is that servant whom his master finds doing this when he comes!

Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his property.Matthew 24:47;">[xr]

"But if that servant says to himself,in his heart">[fn] 'My master is taking a long time to come back,' and begins to beat the other servants and to eat, drink, and get drunk,Matthew 24:48;">[xr]

the master of that servant will come on a day when he doesn't expect him and at an hour that he doesn't know. Then his masterhe">[fn] will punish him severelycut him in pieces">[fn] and assign him a place with unfaithful people.

That servant who knew what his master wanted but didn't prepare himself or do what was wanted will receive a severe beating.Numbers 15:30; Deuteronomy 25:2; John 9:41; 15:22; Acts 17:30; James 4:17;">[xr]

Then Jesushe">[fn] told them this parable: "A man had a fig tree that had been planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it but didn't find any.Isaiah 5:2; Matthew 21:19;">[xr]

Then he placed his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.Mark 16:18; Acts 9:17;">[xr]

The Lord replied to him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey and lead it out of the stall to give it some water?Luke 14:5;">[xr]

Even as he was saying this, all of his opponents were blushing with shame. But the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things he was doing.

It is like a mustard seed that someone took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds in the sky nest in its branches."

Then Jesushe">[fn] taught in one town and village after another as he made his way to Jerusalem.Matthew 9:35; Mark 6:6;">[xr]

When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who were invited, 'Come! Everything is now ready.'Proverbs 9:2,5;">[xr]

"So the servant went back and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and told his servant, 'Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring back the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.'

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as his own life, he can't be my disciple.Deuteronomy 13:6; 33:9; Matthew 10:37; Romans 9:13; Revelation 12:11;">[xr]

Whoever doesn't carry his cross and follow me can't be my disciple.Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; 2 Timothy 3:12;">[xr]

In the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions."

When he finds it, he puts it on his shoulders and rejoices.

Then he goes home, calls his friends and neighbors together, and says to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!'1 Peter 2:10,25;">[xr]