Study Desk

Jesus answered him, "It has been said,Deuteronomy 6:16;">[xr] 'You must not tempt the Lord your God.'"Deuteronomy 6:16">[fn]

"Oh, no! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!"Psalm 16:10; Daniel 9:24; Luke 1:35; 4:41;">[xr]

Even demons came out of many people, screaming, "You are the Son of God!" But Jesushe">[fn] rebuked them and ordered them not to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.[fn]Mark 1:25,34; 3:11; Luke 1:34-35;">[xr]

But he said to them, "I have to proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God in the other cities also, for that is what I was sent to do."

The scribes and the Pharisees began to argue among themselves, saying, "Who is this man who is uttering blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"Psalm 32:5; Isaiah 43:25; Matthew 9:3; Mark 2:6-7;">[xr]

So the manhe">[fn] immediately stood up in front of them and picked up what he had been lying on. Then he went home, praising God.

Amazement seized all the people, and they began to praise God. They were filled with fearawe">[fn] and declared, "We have seen wonderful things today!"

How was it that he went into the house of God and took and ate the Bread of the Presence, which was not lawful for anyone but the priests to eat, and gave some of it to his companions?"Leviticus 24:9;">[xr]

Then Jesushe">[fn] looked at his disciples and said,Matthew 5:3; 11:5; James 2:5;">[xr] "How blessed are you who are destitute, for the kingdom of God is yours!

Fear gripped everyone, and they began to praise God, saying, "A great prophet has appeared among us," and "God has helped his people."Luke 1:65,68; 24:19; John 4:19; 6:14; 9:17;">[xr]

All the people who heard this, including the tax collectors, acknowledged the justice of God,acknowledged God's judgment">[fn] for they had been baptized with John's baptism.Matthew 3:5; Luke 3:12;">[xr]

So he said, "You have been given knowledge about the secrets of the kingdom of God. But to others they are giventhey are given">[fn] in parables, so thatIsaiah 6:9; Mark 4:12;">[xr] 'they might look but not see, and they might listen but not understand.'"Isaiah 6:9-10">[fn]

But he answered them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."

When he saw Jesus, he screamed, fell down in front of him, and said in a loud voice, "What do you want from me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you not to torture me!"

"Go home and declare how much God has done for you." So the manhe">[fn] left and kept proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

Then he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.Matthew 10:7-8; Mark 6:12; Luke 10:1,9;">[xr]

But the crowds found out about this and followed him. He welcomed them and began to speak to them about the kingdom of God and to heal those who needed healing.

He asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ[fn] of God."Matthew 16:16; John 6:69;">[xr]

Truly I tell you, some people who are standing here will not experiencetaste">[fn] death until they see the kingdom of God."Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1;">[xr]

So all the people continued to be amazed at the greatness of God. Indeed, everyone was astonished at all the things Jesushe">[fn] was doing. So he said to his disciples,