Matthew 7

Don’t Judge Others

1 Don't judge others, lest you also be judged. 2 Because with the same judgment with which you judge, you will be judged: and with the measure which you measure out, it will be measured back to you. 

3 And why do you see the speck that’s in your brother or sister's eye, but do not notice the log that's in your own eye? 4 So how can you say to your brother or sister, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; when look, you have a log is in your own eye? 5 You pretender! First remove the log from your own eye; and then you’ll see clearly to remove the speck from your brother or sister's eye. 6 Don't give that which is holy to dogs, and don’t cast your pearls before wild boars, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and tear you to pieces.

Keep Asking, Seeking, and Knocking

7 Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 Because everyone who keeps asking receives. And the one who keeps seeking finds. And to the one who keeps knocking the door will be opened. 9 Or what person is there among you, who if their son asked for bread, would give him a stone? 10 Or if he asked for a fish, would give him a snake? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father, who is in the heavens, give good things to those who ask him? 12 Therefore everything that you want people to do for you, do the same for them: because this is the law and the prophets.

The Narrow and Wide Gate

13 Enter through the narrow gate; because the gate is wide, and the road is broad, which leads to destruction. And many are those who enter through it. 14 Because the gate is narrow and the path is constricted which leads to life; and there are only a few who find it.

You Will Know Them By Their Fruits

15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravaging wolves. 16 You'll know them by their fruits. Do people gather grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit; but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit is chopped down, and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore you'll know them by their fruits.

I Never Knew You

21 Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens; but the one who does the will of my Father who is in the heavens. 22 Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name? And in your name cast out demons? And in your name do many wonderful works?' 23 But then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!'

Build on the Rock

24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will compare them to a wise man; who built his house on a rock. 25 And the rain poured down, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; yet it didn't fall because it was founded on the Rock.

26 But everyone who hears these sayings of mine, and doesn't do them; will be compared to a foolish man; who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain poured down, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."

28 Now it happened, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his teachings: 29 Because he taught them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes.

Matthew 8

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

1 When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came and bowed down before him, saying, "Lord, if you want to? you could make me clean."

3 And Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, "I do want to. Be made clean." And instantly his leprosy was cleansed.

4 And Jesus told him, "See that you tell no one. But go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant

5 And when Jesus had entered into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, pleading with him, 6 and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony."

7 And Jesus told him, "I will come and heal him."

8 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I'm not worthy that you should enter under my roof: rather just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 Because I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, 'Go', and he goes; and to another, 'Come', and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this', and he does it."

10 When Jesus heard it, he marveled and told those who followed, "Indeed, I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith. 11 And I tell you, that many will come from the east and west, and will sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of the heavens. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into outer darkness: there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 13 Then Jesus told the centurion, "Be on your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed in that very same hour.

Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law

14 And when Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she got up, and served them.

Many Healed in the Evening

16 When the evening came, they brought many to him who were demon-possessed, and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed everyone who was sick. 17 This fulfilled the saying which had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, "He Himself Took Our Infirmities, And Bore Our Sicknesses.”  (Isaiah 53:4)

The Cost of Following Jesus

18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave a command to crossover to the other side of the sea. 19 Then a certain scribe came to him, and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

20 And Jesus told him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."

21 Then another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."

22 But Jesus told him, "Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead."

The Wind and the Waves Obey Jesus

23 And when he had gotten into a boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to perish!”

26 But he told them, “Why are you fearful? O you of little faith.” Then he got up, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea listen obediently to him?”

Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men

28 Now when he had come to the other side, to the region of the Gergesenes, two demon-possessed men met him, they came out of the tombs, and were so exceedingly fierce that no one could pass by that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, saying, “What do have to do with you, Jesus, God’s Son? Have you come here to torture us before the time?"

30 Now a herd of many pigs were feeding far way from them. 31 So the demons pleaded with him, saying, “If you cast us out, let us go away into the herd of pigs."

32 Then he told them, "Go." And when they came out, they entered into the herd of pigs: and behold, the whole herd of pigs ran violently down an overhanging cliff into the sea, and died in the waters.

33 And those who kept them fled, and went into the city and reported everything that happened, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they pleaded with him that he would leave their region.

Matthew 9

Jesus Heals and Forgives Sins

1 Then he got into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city. 2 And behold, they brought a weak man to him, a paralytic, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic; “Son, have courage; your sins are forgiven.”

3 And behold, some of the scribes said within themselves, “This man blasphemes!”

4 But Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?

5 Because which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Get up, and walk?' 6 But in order that you may know that the son of man has power on earth to forgive sins,” (he then told the paralytic) “Get up, pick up your bed, and go home.” 7 And he got up, and went home.

8 Now when the multitude saw it, they marveled, and glorified God who had given such power to men.

The Calling of Matthew

9 And as Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew, sitting at the tax office: and he told him, “Follow me.” So he got up and followed him.

10 And it happened, as Jesus was reclining at the dinner table in the house, behold, many tax collects and wrongdoers came and reclined with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and wrongdoers?”

12 But when Jesus heard it, he told them, “Those who are well don't need a doctor, but those who are sick do. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I Desire Compassion, And Not Sacrifice’, because I didn’t come to call the righteous to change their minds, but wrongdoers.”

Jesus Questioned About Fasting

14 Then John's disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don't fast?”

15 And Jesus told them, “Can the sons of the bride-chamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they'll fast. 16 No one puts a piece of un-shrunken cloth on an old garment; because the patch would pull away from the garment, and the tear would be made worse. 17 Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins would burst, the wine would be spilled, and the wineskins would be destroyed. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

A Dead Girl Raised and A Woman Healed

18 While he was speaking these things to them, behold, a certain ruler came, and knelt down before him, saying, “My daughter is dying even now, but come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus got up, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for 12 years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 Because she said within herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I'll be healed!” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when he saw her, he said, “Daughter, have courage; your faith has saved you.” And the woman was healed from that very hour.

23 And when Jesus entered into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He told them, “Make room, because the girl isn't dead, but sleeping.” And they started laughing at him. 25 But when the people had been put outside, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land.

27 Now as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have compassion on us!”

28 And when he had entered into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I'm able to do this?” They told him, “Yes, Lord.”

29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “Let it be  done for you according to your faith.” 30 And their eyes were opened. But Jesus sternly warned them: “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him throughout all that land.

32 And as they were leaving, behold, they brought a mute man to him, who was demon-possessed. 33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”

34 But the Pharisees said, “He’s casting out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

The Compassion of Jesus

35 And Jesus went around through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the Good News about the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 And when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep which had no shepherd.

37 Then he told his disciples, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the workers are few: 38 So plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.

Matthew 10

Jesus Calls The 12 Apostles

1 And when he had called his 12 disciples, he gave them authority [over] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every disability. 2 Now these are the names of the 12 apostles; The first was Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; then James [the son] of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James [the son] of Alphaeus and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Jesus Sends the 12 Apostles Out

5 These 12 Jesus sent out after giving them instructions: "Don't go on a road which leads to the ethnic people groups, and don't enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, proclaim, saying, 'Heaven's Kingdom is near.' 8 Heal the weak, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons: freely you have received, freely give; 9 don't get gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts. 10 Don’t take a bag of provision for your journey, don’t even take 2 shirts, or extra sandals, nor extra walking sticks; because a worker deserves to have his needs provided.

11 And into whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and stay there until you leave. 12 And when you enter into a household, greet it. 13 And if the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it’s not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you or won’t listen to your words: when you leave that house or city, shake the dust off of your feet. 15 Indeed, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment, than for that city.

Persecution Will Come

16 Behold, I’m sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves: so be as wise as snakes, and yet as harmless as doves. 17 But beware of people, because they will deliver you up to councils, and they will flog you in their gathering places; 18 and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as witnesses to them and to the ethnic people. 19 But when they hand you over, don't be concerned about how or what you are to say; because what you are to say will be given to you at that very moment; 20 because it won’t be you who are speaking, but rather the Spirit of your Father, who will speak from within you.

21 And brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by everyone because of my name: but the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee to another. Because indeed, I tell you, you will not have gone through all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 A disciple isn't above his teacher, nor is a servant above his master. 25 It's enough for a disciple that he becomes like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the household Beelzebub, how much worse will they call those of his household? 26 So don’t be afraid of them. Because there is nothing which has been covered up, which will not be uncovered; nor is there anything hidden, which will not become fully known. (vs 25: Lord of the Flies; a demon god)

27 What I tell you in the darkness, you are to speak in broad daylight! And what you hear in the ear, you are to proclaim from the housetops! 28 So don't be afraid of those who can kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell (Gehenna).

29 Aren’t two sparrows sold for a copper coin? Yet not even one of them will fall to the ground without your Father knowing. 30 Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So have no fear! You are worth far more than many sparrows!

32 Therefore everyone who acknowledges me before people, I will also acknowledge before my Father who is in the heavens: 33 but whoever denies me before people, I will also deny before my Father, who is in the heavens!

34 Don’t don’t allow yourself to imagine that I have have come to bring peace on earth; because I didn’t come to bring peace on earth, but a sword. 35 Because I have come to set 'A Man Against His Father, A Daughter Against Her Mother, And A Daughter-In-Law Against Her Mother-In-Law:’ 36 so a person's enemies will be those of their very own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me isn’t worthy of me. And whoever loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. 38 And whoever doesn’t take up their own cross and walk the same path with me, isn’t worthy of me. 39 Whoever seeks to find a way to save their  life, will lose it: but whoever loses their life for my sake, will find it.

40 Whoever receives you, receives me,  and whoever receives me, receives him who sent me. 41 Whoever receives a prophet, whom I call a prophet, will receive a prophet's reward. And whoever receives a righteous person, whom I call a righteous person, will receive a righteous person's reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones a cup of cold water, whom I call a disciple: truly I tell you, they will by no means lose their reward.”

(Literally, “in the name of”, but in English that wording is hard to understand: but in context with verse 40: Jesus seems to be referring to those whom He has sent; i.e. “the one He has named or called as a”.)

Matthew 11

John the Baptizer Sends Messengers to Jesus

1 Now it happened after Jesus had finished instructing his 12 disciples, that he went on from there to teach and proclaim the Good News in their cities.

2 Now when John heard in prison about the acts of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

4 Jesus answered and told them, "Go and report to John the things which you have heard and seen: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them. 6 And supremely blessed is the one who doesn't stumble on account of me."

7 And when they had left, Jesus began to speak to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 Because this is he of whom it's written, 'Behold, I Am Sending My Messenger Ahead Of You, He Will Prepare Your Way Before You.' (Malachi 3:1)

11 Indeed, I tell you, among those who are born of women there hasn't risen any one greater than John the Baptizer; yet whoever is least in the Kingdom of the heavens is greater than he is.

12 And from the days of John the Baptizer until now; the Kingdom of [the] heavens has been suffering violence, and the violent have been seizing it by force. 13 Because all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 But if you're willing to accept it; he is Elijah who is to come. 15 Whoever has ears to hear, let them listen intently.

16 But to what should I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, and calling to their playmates, 17 and saying, ‘We played the flute for you, but you didn't dance. We sang a mournful song, but you didn't beat upon your chest in sorrow.’

18 Because John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, [he's] a glutton and a wino, a friend of tax collectors and wrongdoers.’ Yet wisdom is shown to be correct by her children.”

Woe to the Unbelieving Cities

20 Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty acts had been performed, because they didn’t change their minds: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! because if the mighty acts which were performed in you, had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed their minds long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the Day of Judgment, than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; because if the mighty acts which have been performed in you, had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you, It will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the Day of Judgment, than for you.”

Jesus Gives True Rest

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to infants: 26 yes, Father, because so it seemed good in your sight.

27 Everything has been delivered to me by my Father: and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son; and the one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 Come to me: all of you who are tired and weighed down with heavy burdens; and I will give you rest. 29 Place my yoke upon yourself, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls: 30 because my yoke is easy to carry and my burden is light.”

Matthew 12

Jesus is Lord of the Day of Rest

1 At that time Jesus went through the grain-fields on the Day of Rest: and his disciples were hungry, so they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat them. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they told him, “Look! Your disciples are doing that which isn't lawful to do on the Day of Rest.”

3 But he told them, “Haven't you ever read what David did? when he was hungry, and those who were with him; 4 how he entered into the house of God, and ate the show-bread: which wasn’t lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or haven't you read in the law? how that on the Days of Rest the priests in the temple violate the Days of Rest, and yet they are blameless?

6 But I tell you, that one who is greater than the temple, is in this place. 7 But if you had known and understood what this means, 'I Desire Compassion, And Not Sacrifice.' If you did, you wouldn't have condemned the innocent. (Hosea 6:6) 8 Because the Son of Man is Lord even of the Day of Rest." 

9 And when he had crossed over from there, he went into their synagogue: 10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. So they asked him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the days of Rest?" that they might accuse him.

11 But he told them, "What person is there among you, if he has one sheep, and it falls into a pit on the Day of Rest, wouldn't take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much greater value than is a person, over a sheep? Therefore it’s lawful to do good things on the Days of Rest."

13 Then he told the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was completely restored. (Just like the other.) 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him, how they might destroy him: 15 but Jesus knowing it, withdrew from there.

And great multitudes followed him and he healed them all. 16 But he warned them not to make him known; 17 this fulfilled the saying which had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, 18 "Behold My Servant, Whom I Have Chosen; My Beloved, In Whom My Soul Is Very Pleased: I Will Put My Spirit Upon Him, And He Will Proclaim Justice To The Ethnic People. 19 He Will Not Quarrel, Nor Shout Out Loud, Neither Will Anyone Hear His Voice In The Streets. 20 He Will Not Break A Bruised Reed, And He Will Not Snuff Out A Smoldering Wick, Until He Leads Justice To Victory. 21 And The Ethnic People Will Place Their Confident Hope In His Name." (Isaiah 42:1-4)

A House Divided Cannot Stand

22 Then someone was brought to him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and he healed him, so the blind and mute man could both speak and see. 23 And all the multitudes were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"

24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This man doesn't cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons."

25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and told them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself will not stand: 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he's divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then God's Kingdom has come to you. 29 Or how can anyone enter into a strong man's house, and carry away his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 Whoever isn't with me, is against me; and whoever doesn’t gather with me, scatters.

The Unforgivable Wrong

31 Therefore, I tell you, people will be forgiven of every wrong and blasphemy: but people won’t be forgiven for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. 32 Also anyone who has spoken a word against the Son of Man,  will be forgiven; but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, neither in this present age, nor in the age to come.

A Tree is Known by its Fruit

33 Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or else make the tree bad, and its fruit bad: because a tree is known by its fruit. 34 O offspring of vipers! How can you who are evil speak anything good? Because the mouth speaks out of the overflow of the heart. 35 A good person brings forth good things out of the good treasure of their heart; and an evil person brings forth evil things out of the evil treasure of their heart. 36 But I tell you, on the Day of Judgment people will have to give an account for every idle word they have spoken. 37 So you will be justified by your words; and you will be condemned by your words."

The Scribes and Pharisees Ask for a Sign

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you."

39 But he answered and told them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it; except for the sign of the prophet Jonah: 40 for just as Jonah was 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of the huge sea creature, so too the Son of Man will be 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up on the Judgment Day with this generation, and they will condemn it: because they changed their minds at the proclamation of Jonah. And behold, one greater than Jonah is now here. 42 The queen of the south will rise up on the Judgment Day with this generation, and will condemn it: because she came from the ends of the earth to listen intently to the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, one greater than Solomon is now here.

An Unclean Spirit Returns

43 When an unclean spirit comes out of a person, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none; 44 he then says, 'I'll return to my house from which I came.' When he arrives, he finds it empty, swept clean, and put in order. 45 Then he goes, and takes with him 7 other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the final state of that person is worse than the first. That's how it will also be with this wicked generation."

Jesus' Mother and Brothers Send for Him

46 Now while he was still speaking to the crowds, behold, his mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with him. 47 Then someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers and sisters are standing outside, seeking to speak to you."

48 But he answered, and said to him who told him, "Who is my mother? And who are my brothers and sisters?" 49 Then he stretched out his hand toward his disciples, and said, "See, here are my mother and my brothers and sisters. 50 Because whoever does the will of my Father who is in the heavens, they are my brother, and sister, and mother."

Matthew 13

The Allegory of the Sower

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes gathered to him; so he stepped into a boat and sat down, and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

3 Then he told them many things in allegories, saying, "Behold, a sower went out to scatter seed; 4 And as he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 And some fell on rocky ground, where they didn't have much earth; and they sprang up quickly, because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun had risen, they were scorched, and they withered away because they had no root. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell into good soil, and they produced a crop, some indeed 100 times as much, and some 60, and some 30 times as much. 9 Whoever has ears to hear, let them listen intently."

The Purpose of Allegories

10 Then the disciples came, and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in allegories?"

11 He answered and told them, "Because it's been given to you to know the secrets of the Kingdom of the heavens, but it's not been given to them. 12 Because whoever has, will be given more; and they will have an abundance. But whoever doesn’t have, even what they have, will be taken away from them. 13 Therefore I speak to them in allegories, in order that in seeing they may not see, and in hearing they may not hear, neither will they understand. 14 So in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled; which states, 'In Hearing You Will Hear, And By No Means Understand; And In Seeing You Will See, But By No Means Perceive. 15 Because This People's Heart Has Become Callous, And Their Ears Are Hard Of Hearing. And They Have Closed Their Eyes, So That They Might Not See With Their Eyes, And Hear With Their Ears, And Understand With Their Heart And Turn, That I Should Heal Them.' (Isaiah 6:9-10. Jesus quotes from the Septuagint.) 16 But supremely blessed are your eyes: because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 Because indeed, I tell you, that many prophets and righteous people have desired to see the things which you see, but did not see them; and to hear the things which you hear, but did not hear them.

The Allegory of the Shower Explained

18 Therefore listen intently to the allegory of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word concerning the Kingdom, and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away that which was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 But the seed sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the message, and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet because he has no root within himself, he endures only for a little while: so when pressure or persecution arises because of the word, he is quickly caught in a trap. 22 And the seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word; but the care of this present age, and the deceitfulness of riches, chokes the word, and he becomes fruitless. 23 But the seed sown on the good soil is the one who hears the word, and understands it; who indeed produce fruit: and some produce 100 times as much, and some 60, and some 30 times as much.

The Allegory of the Wheat and Rye-grass

24 He set another allegory before them, saying, "The Kingdom of the heavens can be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while the people were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed poisonous rye-grass among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the stalk had sprouted and produced fruit, then the poisonous rye-grass also appeared. 27 So the servants of the master of the house came and told him, 'Master, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Then why does it have poisonous rye-grass?' 28 He told them, 'A man who is my enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them up?' 29 But he said, 'No, lest while gathering up the poisonous rye-grass, you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will tell the harvesters, "First gather the poisonous rye-grass together, and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." ' "

31 He set another allegory before them, saying, "The Kingdom of the heavens is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the smallest of all the garden seeds, but when it is fully grown, it is larger than the other garden plants; and becomes a tree, and the birds in the sky come and nest in its branches." (Or, heaven)

The Allegory of the Yeast

33 He told them another allegory; "The Kingdom of the heavens is like yeast, which a woman took and mixed in 3 measures of flour, until it all was leavened."

Prophecy and Allegories

34 Jesus spoke all these things to the multitude in allegories; and he didn't speak to them without using an allegory:  35 Thus fulfilling the saying which had been spoken through the prophet, "I Will Open My Mouth In Allegories; I Will Utter Things Which Have Been Kept Secret From The Foundation Of The World." (Psalm 78:2)

The Allegory of the Rye-grass Explained

36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and he went into the house: then his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain the allegory about the poisonous rye-grass of the field to us."

37 And he answered and told them, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the Children of the Kingdom; but the poisonous rye-grass are the children of the evil one; 39 the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age; and the harvesters are the heavenly messengers. 40 So as the poisonous rye-grass was gathered and burned in the fire; so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his heavenly messengers, and they will gather out of his Kingdom everything that offends, and those who practice lawlessness; 42 and they will throw them into a furnace of fire: there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let them listen intently.

The Allegory of the Hidden Treasure

44 Again, the Kingdom of the heavens is like treasure hidden in a field; which a person found and hid; then for joy over it, he went and sold everything he had, and bought that field.

The Allegory of the Pearl of Great Price

45 Again, the Kingdom of the heavens is like a person, a merchant, seeking beautiful pearls: 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, he went and sold everything that he had, and bought it.

The Allegory of the Dragnet

47 Again, the Kingdom of the heavens is like a net, which was cast into the sea, and gathered some of every kind: 48 and when it was full, they pulled it up on the shore, then they sat down, and they gathered the good into containers, but they threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age: the heavenly messengers will come forth, and separate the evil from among the righteous, 50 And will throw them into the furnace of fire: there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

51 Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"

They told him, "Yes, Lord."

52 Then he told them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple in the Kingdom of the heavens is like a man, a master of a household, who brings out of his treasury things both new and old."

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

53 Now it happened, when Jesus had finished these allegories, he left there. 54 And when he had come to his hometown, he taught them in their synagogue, so they were astonished and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? 55 Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And aren't his sisters all with us? So where did this man get all these things?" 57 And they were caught in a trap because of him.

But Jesus told them, "A prophet isn't without honor, except in his own father's land, and in his own house." 58 And he didn't do many mighty acts there, because of their unbelief.

Matthew 14

John the Baptizer is Beheaded

1 At that time Herod the ruler of Galilee heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 And told his servants, "This is John the Baptizer, He's risen from the dead, and that's why these powers are at work in him." 3 Because Herod had laid hold of John, and bound him, and had put him in prison because of Herodias his brother Philips's wife. 4 Because John had told him, "It's not lawful for you to have her." 5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he was afraid of the people because they held him to be a prophet. (14:1 Literally, tetrarch)

6 But when Herod's birthday was being celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and she pleased Herod. 7 So he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

8 So she, being urged on by her mother, said, "Give me, here on a platter, the head of John the Baptizer."

9 Then the king was grieved, but because of the oaths, and because of those who were reclining with him, he commanded it to be given to her. 10 Then he sent, and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 And his head was brought in on a platter, and given to the girl: and she brought it to her mother. 12 Then his disciples came, and took away the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds 5,000

13 When Jesus heard about it, he withdrew from there by boat to a remote place, to be alone. But when the multitudes heard about this, they followed after him on foot, from all the cities.

14 So when Jesus got out of the boat, he saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

15 Then when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late: send the multitude away, so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”

16 But Jesus told them, "They don't need to go away. You can give them something to eat."

17 But they told him, “We don't have anything here: except for 5 loaves of bread, and 2 fish?”

18 But he said, "Bring them here to me." 19 Then he instructed the multitude to sit down on the grass, and he took the 5 loaves and the 2 fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the multitude. 20 And everyone ate and were completely full. Then they gathered up the abundance of broken pieces that were left over, which filled 12 baskets. 21 Now those who had eaten were about 5,000 men, beside women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Sea

22 And Jesus immediately made his disciples get into a boat, and go before him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when evening had come, he was there alone. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed with waves: because the wind was contrary. 25 But in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were deeply troubled, and they cried out in fear, saying, "It's a spirit!"

27 But Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, "I Am, have courage! Don't be afraid."

28 Then Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me come to you on the water."

29 And he said, "Come!" And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 And Jesus immediately reached out his hand and laid hold of him; then he told him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they had come into the boat, the wind ceased.

33 Then those who were in the boat came and they worshiped him, saying, "You indeed are the Son of God!"

As Many as Touch Him are Healed

34 And when they had crossed over the sea, they came to the land of Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent out word into all the surrounding region: then they brought everyone who had bad conditions to him; 36 and they pleaded with him that they might just touch the hem of his garment, and as many as touched him were completely healed.

Matthew 15

Defilement Comes from Within

1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 "Why do your disciples turn aside from the tradition of the elders? Because they don't wash their hands when they eat bread."

3 But He answered and told them, "And why do you turn aside from the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 Because God commanded, saying, 'Honor Your Father And Mother', and, 'whoever Speaks Evil Of Their Father Or Mother, Let Them Be Put To Death.' 5 But you say, 'Whoever tells their father or mother, "Whatever support you might have received from me, has been given to God", 6 no longer has to honor their father or their mother. Thus you have made God's Word non-authoritative by your tradition. 7 Pretenders! Isaiah prophesied beautifully of you, saying, 8 'This People Draws Near To Me With Their Mouth, And They Honor Me With Their Lips; But Their Heart Is Far From Me. 9 But In Vain They Worship Me, Teaching Human Commandments As if they were My Teachings.' "

10 Then he called the multitude, and told them, "Listen intently, and understand: 11 that which goes into the mouth doesn't defile a person; but that which comes out of the mouth, that is what defiles a person."

12 Then his disciples came, and told him, "Did you know that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard that statement.”

13 But he answered and said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father didn't plant, will be uprooted. 14 Leave them alone. They're blind guides of the blind. And if the blind guides the blind, both will fall into a ditch."

15 Then Peter answered, and said to him, "Explain this allegory to us."

16 But Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you still not understand that whatever enters into the mouth goes into the stomach, and is expelled into the toilet? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a person. 19 Because out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a person: but to eat with unwashed hands doesn't defile a person."

A Foreign Woman Shows Her Faith

21 Then Jesus left that place and went into the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman came out from that region crying out to him, and saying, "Have compassion on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed!"

23 But he didn’t answer her a word.

Then his disciples came, and pleaded with him, saying, "Send her away; because she keeps crying out behind us."

24 But he answered and said, "I wasn't sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

25 Then she came and bowed down before him, saying, "Lord, help me."

26 But he answered and said, "It's not good to take the children's bread and throw it to little puppies."

27 And she said, "Yes, Lord. But even the little puppies eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table."

28 Then Jesus answered and told her, "Lady, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you have desired." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

29 Then Jesus left there, and came near to the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 30 And great multitudes came to him, having with them those who were lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they laid them at Jesus' feet; and he healed them.

31 So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus Feeds 4,000

32 Then Jesus called his disciples, and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with me for 3 days, and they have nothing to eat: and I don't want to send them away fasting, lest they faint on the way."

33 And his disciples said to him, "Where could we get enough bread in this wilderness to fill such a great multitude?"

34 And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?"

And they said, "Seven, and a few small fish."

35 Then he instructed the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And he took the 7 loaves and the fish and gave thanks, and broke them, and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples distributed them to the multitude. 37 And they all ate of them, until they were completely full. Then they gathered up 7 large baskets full of the broken pieces that remained. 38 Now those who had eaten were 4,000 men, besides women and children. 39 And when he had sent the multitude away, he got into the boat, and came into the region of Magdala.

Matthew 16

The Pharisees and Sadducees Seek a Sign

1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and told them, "When it's evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, because the sky is red.' 3 And in the morning, you say, 'Today will be stormy, because the sky is red and overcast.' Pretenders! Indeed, you know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; but no sign will be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah." And he left them, and went away.

The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees

5 Now when his disciples had come to the other side of the sea, they released they had forgotten to take any bread with them. 6 And Jesus told them, "Be watchful and cautious concerning the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

7 But they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It's because we have brought no bread."

8 But Jesus, knowing it, told them, "O you of little faith. Why do you reason among yourselves, because you haven’t brought any bread? 9 Do you still not understand, nor remember the 5 loaves of the 5,000, and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the 7 loaves of the 4,000, and how many baskets you took up? 11 How is it that you still don’t understand? I wasn’t speak to you concerning bread, but that you should be cautious regarding  the yeast of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." 12 Then they understood that he wasn't saying to cautious regarding the yeast in bread, but regarding the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, "Who do people say that I the Son of Man am?"

14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptizer: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."

15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

16 Then Simon Peter answered and said, "You’re the Anointed, the Son of the living God." (Anointed, is the literal meaning of Christ.)

17 Then Jesus answered and told him, "Simon, son of Jonah; you’re supremely blessed: because flesh and blood didn’t revealed this to you, but my Father who is in the heavens. 18 And I also tell you, that you are Peter (a ‘Stone’), and upon this massive rock (’Bedrock’) I will build my church; and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of the heavens: and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in the heavens: and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in the heavens." 

20 Then he firmly instructed the disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Anointed.

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection

21 From that time on Jesus began to reveal to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and Chief Priests and scribes, and to be killed, and be raised on the third day.

22 Then Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, "God will be gracious to you, Lord. This will not happen to you."

23 But he turned and told Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You're a snare to me; because you're not setting your mind on God's interests, but on human interests."

Take Up your Cross and Follow Me

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after me: let him deny themselves and take up their cross, and follow me. 25 Because whoever desires to save his life, will lose it. But whoever loses their life for my sake, will find it. 26 Because what will it benefit a person, if they gains the whole world, but lose their own soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father, with his messengers; and then he will repay everyone according to what they have done.

28 Indeed, I tell you, there are some standing here, who will never taste death, even until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom."

Matthew 17

Jesus is Transformed on the Mount

1 Then after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves, 2 And he was transformed before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothing became as white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, and were talking with him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it's good for us to be here. If you want, let's pitch 3 tents here; 1 for you, and 1 for Moses, and 1 for Elijah."

5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, I am very pleased with him. Listen intently to him." 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Get up, and don't be afraid." 8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus only.

9 And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell this vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."

10 And his disciples asked him, saying, "Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

11 And Jesus answered and told them, "Elijah indeed does come first, and restores all things. 12 But I tell you, that Elijah has already came, but they didn’t recognize him, and did to him whatever they pleased. In the same way the Son of Man is also going to suffer at their hands." 13 Then the disciples understood that he had spoken to them concerning John the Baptizer.

A Boy is Healed

14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to him, and falling on knees his before him, he said, 15 "Lord, have compassion on my son; because he is a lunatic and suffers severely, for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, but they weren’t able to cure him."

17 Then Jesus answered and said, "O unbelieving and twisted generation, how long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me." 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of him, and the boy was cured from that very hour.

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why weren’t we able to cast him out?"

20 And Jesus told them, "Because of your unbelief. Because Indeed, I tell you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there'; and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind doesn't go out except by prayer and fasting."

(Note: Prayer and fasting doesn't move the hand of God; but it builds our faith and reliance on God, so that we're not moved as much by what we see, but by our faith in God! Because Jesus said the reason they were unable to cast out the demon, was "Because of your unbelief." verse 20. “Faith” literally means, “to be fully persuaded about something.” And a “Muster Seed” has No Doubt.“ So as someone once said, “What we need to do is doubt our doubts!” and fasting helps train you to rule over your emotions, thoughts, and feelings; which will make you stronger to resist temptation and doubt when they speak to your mind.)

Jesus Again Predicts His Death and Resurrection

22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus told them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of people: 23 and they'll kill him; yet he will raise up again on the third day." And they were exceedingly sorrowful.

Peter and The Temple Tax

24 And when they had came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and said, "Isn't your teacher going to pay the Temple tax?"

25 He said, "Yes."

Then when he entered into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?"

26 Peter told him, "From strangers."

Jesus told him, "Then the sons are free. 27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, and cast in a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up; and when you have opened its mouth, you'll find a coin: take that, and give it to them for me and you."