Study Desk

"For there is no good tree that bears bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree that bears good fruit.

"For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush.

"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

When they came to Jesus, they strongly urged Him, saying, "He is worthy for You to grant this to him;

for he loves our nation, and it was he who built us our synagogue."

Now Jesus started on His way with them; but already, when He was not yet far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to enter under my roof;

for that reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You; but just say the word, and my servant shall be healed.

"For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under myself; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."

When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her and said to her, "Do not go on weeping."

And after summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for another?"

When the men came to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, 'Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for another?'"

But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.

"They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song of mourning, and you did not weep.'

"For John the Baptist has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon!'

Simon answered and said, "I assume the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And He said to him, "You have judged correctly."

And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

"For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little, loves little."

"Those on the rocky soil are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and yet these do not have a firm root; they believe for a while, and in a time of temptation they fall away.

"For nothing is concealed that will not become evident, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

"So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him."