Study Desk

Herod the ruler heard about all these things that were happening. He was confused because some people said, "John the Baptizer has risen from death."

John answered, "Master, we saw someone using your name to force demons out of people. We told him to stop because he does not belong to our group."

But the people there would not welcome Jesus because he was going toward Jerusalem.

Yes, even the spirits obey you. And you can be happy, not because you have this power, but because your names are written in heaven."

Then the Holy Spirit made Jesus feel very happy. Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I am thankful that you have hidden these things from those who are so wise and so smart. But you have shown them to people who are like little children. Yes, Father, you did this because it's what you really wanted to do.

"On the judgment day, you people who live now will be compared with the queen of the South, and she will be a witness who shows how guilty you are. Why do I say this? Because she traveled from far, far away to listen to Solomon's wise teaching. And I tell you that someone greater than Solomon is right here, but you won't listen!

"On the judgment day, you people who live now will also be compared with the people from Nineveh, and they will be witnesses who show how guilty you are. I say this because when Jonah preached to those people, they changed their hearts and lives. And you are listening to someone greater than Jonah, but you refuse to change!

"It will be bad for you Pharisees because you love to have the most important seats in the synagogues. And you love for people to show respect to you in the marketplaces.

It will be bad for you, because you are like hidden graves. People walk on them without knowing it."

It will be bad for you, because you build tombs for the prophets. But these are the same prophets your ancestors killed!

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at a time when you don't expect him!"

Jesus answered, "Do you think this happened to those people because they were more sinful than all other people from Galilee?

The synagogue leader was angry because Jesus healed on the Sabbath day. He said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come to be healed on one of those days. Don't come for healing on the Sabbath day."

After that I must go, because all prophets should die in Jerusalem.

Then you will have great blessings, because these people cannot pay you back. They have nothing. But God will reward you at the time when all godly people rise from death."

home, go to your friends and neighbors and say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I found my lost sheep!'

And when she finds it, she will call her friends and neighbors and say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I have found the coin that I lost!'

"The son realized that he had been very foolish. He thought, ‘All my father's hired workers have plenty of food. But here I am, almost dead because I have nothing to eat.

The boy said, ‘Your brother has come back, and your father killed the best calf to eat. He is happy because he has his son back safe and sound.'

The Pharisees were listening to all these things. They criticized Jesus because they all loved money.