Study Desk

"Then his master called him and said to him, 'You wicked and contemptible slave, I forgave all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me.

"And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (jailers) until he paid all that he owed.

"My heavenly Father will also do the same to [every one of] you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."

And Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?"

and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED INSEPARABLY TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'?

"I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery."

The disciples said to Jesus, "If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry."

Then children were brought to Jesus so that He might place His hands on them [for a blessing] and pray; but the disciples reprimanded them.

After placing His hands on them [for a blessing], He went on from there.

But when the young man heard this, he left grieving and distressed, for he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God].

Jesus said to His disciples, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it is difficult for a rich man [who clings to possessions and status as security] to enter the kingdom of heaven.

"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man [who places his faith in wealth and status] to enter the kingdom of God."

Jesus said to them, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, in the renewal [that is, the Messianic restoration and regeneration of all things] when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you [who have followed Me, becoming My disciples] will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

"For the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of an estate who went out in the morning at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard.

"When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard.

"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last [to be hired] and ending with the first [to be hired].'

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [paying the price to set them free from the penalty of sin]."

Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him [as His disciples].

"And he answered, 'I will not'; but afterward he regretted it and changed his mind and went.

"When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his [share of the] fruit.