Study Desk

"For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him."

"But when the crop ripens, he immediately puts in the sickle [to reap], because [the time for] the harvest has come."

For he had often been bound with shackles [for the feet] and with chains, and he tore apart the chains and broke the shackles into pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue and tame him.

For Jesus had been saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!"

He was asking him, "What is your name?" And he replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many."

Jesus did not let him [come], but [instead] He said to him, "Go home to your family and tell them all the great things that the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you."

So he [obeyed and] went away and began to publicly proclaim in Decapolis [the region of the ten Hellenistic cities] all the great things that Jesus had done for him; and all the people were astonished.

A woman [in the crowd] had [suffered from] a hemorrhage for twelve years,

For she thought, "If I just touch His clothing, I will get well."

The little girl immediately got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they [who witnessed the child's resurrection] were overcome with great wonder and utter amazement.

He told them to take nothing for the journey except a mere walking stick—no bread, no [traveler's] bag, no money in their belts—

King Herod [Antipas] heard about this, for Jesus' name and reputation had become well known. People were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him."

For Herod himself had sent [guards] and had John arrested and shackled in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his [half-] brother Philip, because he (Herod) had married her.

For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful [under Mosaic Law] for you to have your brother's wife."

But an opportune time [finally] came [for Herodias]. Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his officials (nobles, courtiers) and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.

Now [Salome] the daughter of Herodias came in and danced [for the men]. She pleased and beguiled Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you."

She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" And Herodias replied, "The head of John the Baptist!"

So the king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring back John's head. And he went and had John beheaded in the prison,

He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while"—for there were many [people who were continually] coming and going, and they could not even find time to eat.

When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd [waiting], and He was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd [lacking guidance]; and He began to teach them many things.