Study Desk

He said, therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like,^(ab) and what can I compare it to?

It's like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky nested in its branches."

Again He said, "What can I compare the kingdom of God^(ac) to?

It's like yeast^(ad) that a woman took and mixed into 50 pounds^[f] of flour until it spread through the entire mixture." ^[g]

He went through one town and village after another, teaching and making His way to Jerusalem.^(ae)

"Lord," someone asked Him, "are there few being saved?"^[h](af) He said to them,

"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door,^(ag) because I tell you, many will try to enter and won't be able

once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door.^(ah) Then you will stand^[i] outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up for us!' He will answer you, ‘I don't know you or where you're from.'

Then you will say,^[j] ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets!'

But He will say, ‘I tell you, I don't know you or where you're from. Get away from Me,^(ai) all you workers of unrighteousness!'

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth^(aj) in that place,^(ak) when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God,^(al) but yourselves thrown out.

They will come from east and west, from north and south, and recline at the table^(am) in the kingdom of God.

Note this: Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." ^(an)

At that time some Pharisees came and told Him, "Go, get out of here! Herod^(ao) wants to kill You!"^(ap)

He said to them, "Go tell that fox, ‘Look! I'm driving out demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day^[k] I will complete My work.' ^[l](aq)

Yet I must^(ar) travel today, tomorrow, and the next day, because it is not possible for a prophet^(as) to perish^(at) outside of Jerusalem!

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem!^(au) She who kills the prophets and stones^(av) those who are sent to her.^(aw) How often I wanted to gather your children^(ax) together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,^(ay) but you were not willing! ^(az)

See, your house^[m] is abandoned to you.^(ba) And I tell you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One '!" ^(bb)[n]