The Gospel of Matthew - - 19:3-25:46

1. (Then)The Pharisees approached him, tempting him and saying. “Is it lawful for someone to dismiss his wife for any cause? And he answering said. . "Did you not read that the one who created them made them male and female from the beginning?" He said “Because of this a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall cleave to his wife and the two will become one flesh so that they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has yoked together, let man not separate." They say to him. “Why then did Moses allow someone to give a document of divorce and to dismiss their wife?” He says to them. "Moses did so because of

your hardness of heart. But from the beginning it has not been so. I say to you that whoever dismisses his wife except for fornication and marries another commits adultery." The disciples say to him. “If such is the situation between a man and his wife it is not expedient to marry.” And he said to them. "Not all people grasp this saying. But to those to whom it has been given. For there are some eunuchs who are born like this from their mother’s womb. And there are eunuchs who were made so by men. And there are eunuchs who made themselves so on account of the kingdom of the heavens. The one who is able to grasp this let such a one do so." 19:3-12

2. Then children were brought to him so that he should put his hands on them and pray. But the disciples rebuked them (those bringing the children). But Jesus said “Allow the children to come forward and do not stop them coming to me for of such is the kingdom of the heavens.” And after putting his hands on them he went on from there. 19:13-15

3. And (when) behold a person approached him and said “Teacher what good thing may I do so I may have eternal life?” And he said to him “Why do you question me concerning the good? There is one that is the good. But if you want to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments.” He says to him “Which one?” And Jesus said “You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. Honour your father and your mother. You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” The young man says to him “All things I have kept. What do I still lack? Jesus said to him “If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give them to the poor and you will have treasure in heavens. And come follow me.” But on hearing this the young man went away grieving for he had many possessions. So Jesus said to his disciples. “Truly I tell you that a rich man will find it difficult to enter into the kingdom of the heavens. But again I tell you it is easier for a

camel to enter through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” And hearing this the disciples were astounded saying “Who then can be saved?” And looking upon them Jesus said “With men this is impossible. But with God all things are possible.” Then answering Peter said to him. “Behold we left everything and followed you. What then shall be our reward?” And Jesus said to them. “Truly I tell you that the ones who have followed me into the regeneration, - when the Son of man is sitting on the throne of his glory, you will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for the sake of my name, will receive manifold (gifts) and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last and the last will be first.”

The kingdom of the heavens is like a housemaster who went out early in the morning to hire workmen in his vineyard. And agreeing with the workman for a denarius as the day’s pay he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour (about 9 o’clock in the morning?) he saw others standing in the marketplace idle. To those he said “You can also go into my vineyard and I will pay you whatever is just.” So they went. And again on going out about the sixth and the ninth hour he did the same. And about the eleventh hour on going out he found others standing there and he says to them. “Why are you standing here all day doing nothing?” And they said to him “Because nobody has hired us.” He says to them. “You also can go into my vineyard.” When evening had come the lord of the vineyard said to his steward. “Call the

workmen and pay their wage, beginning from the last until the first.” And coming forward the ones from about the eleventh hour each received a denarius. And finally those who had gone out first came forward and assumed that they would receive more. Yet they each received a denarius in the same way. On receiving this they grumbled against the house master saying. “These ones who were last only did one hour and yet you gave them equal pay to us who had borne the burden of the day and the heat. “But he answering one of them said “Comrade, I do not injure you. Did you not agree with me for the pay of a denarius? Take what is yours and go. But am I not allowed to do what I want with my own things and give this last man the same as I gave to you. Is your eye evil because I am good? But the last ones will be first and the first ones last.” 19:16-20:16

4. (When) Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem and he took the twelve aside privately. On the way he said to them. "Behold we are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death. They will deliver him to the nations to be mocked and scourged and to be crucified. On the third day he will be raised." 20:17-20

5. Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons. She knelt before him asking for something. He said to her “What do you want?”´ She says to him “Say that these two sons of mine may sit one on the right and the other on left of you in your kingdom.” Answering her Jesus said said “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup which I am about to drink?” They say “We can” He says to them “Indeed you will drink my cup, but to sit on the right and the left of me is not mine to give to you. These places will be for whoever my

Father has prepared them.” On hearing about this the ten other disciples were incensed with the two brothers. So Jesus called them forward and said. “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them and the great ones have authority over them. It is not like this amongst you. Whoever amongst you wishes to become great will be your servant. Whoever amongst you wishes to be first shall be your slave. The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." 20:20-28

6. As they were going out from Jericho a great crowd followed. Behold there were two blind men sitting beside the road. On hearing that Jesus was passing by they cried out saying “Lord, Son of David, pity us.” But the crowd rebuked them telling

them they should be silent. But they cried out all the more saying “Lord, Son of David, pity us.” Standing still Jesus called them and said “What do you want me to do for you?” ´They say to him Lord open our eyes.” Being filled with compassion Jesus touched their eyes and immediately they saw again and they followed him. 20:29-34

7. And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two of his disciples. He said to them “Go into the village opposite and at once you will find an ass tied up and a colt with her. Loosening the ass bring her to me. If anyone says anything to you say to them "Their Lord needs it, and he will immediately send them on." Now this happened so that what was spoken through the prophet may be fulfilled, that is. "Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold you king comes to you as someone meek and mounted on an ass with its foal. Going forward the disciples did as Jesus directed them and

they brought the ass and the colt. They put their garments on them and he sat on them. A very large crowd took off their own garments and threw them on the ground before him. Others cut branches form the trees and strew them along the way. There were crowds going in front of him and others following behind. They cried out saying “Hosanna to the Son of David Blessed be the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.” And entering into Jerusalem all the city was taken with it saying “Who is this?” The crowds said “This is the prophet, Jesus the one from Nazareth of Galilee.” 21:1-11

8. (When) Jesus went into the temple and threw out all the people who were selling and buying in the temple. He overturned the tables of the money-changes and the seats of those who were selling the doves. Jesus says to them. “It has been written ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it into a den of robbers.” The blind and the lame in the temple approached him and he healed them. But the

chief priests and the scribes on seeing the marvels he did and hearing the children cry out in the temple and saying “Hosanna to the son of David” were incensed. They said to him. Do you hear what these are saying. Jesus said to them “Yes. Did you never read “Out of the mouth of infants and small children you have brought praise?” And leaving them he went forth outside the city to Bethany, and lodged there. 21:12-17

9. Now early in the morning on going up to the city he was hungry. Seeing a fig-tree along the way he went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves. And he says to it. “May you never bear fruit again.” The fig-tree was instantly dried up. On seeing this the disciples marvelled saying “Did you see how the fig-tree was instantly withered?”

Answering Jesus said “Truly I say to you if you have faith and do not doubt not only will you be able to do this sort of thing to a fig-tree, but also if you say to this mountain ‘Be taken and cast into the sea,’ it shall be so. And all things whatsoever you may ask for in prayer, on believing this you will receive it.” 21:18-22

10. On his coming into the temple to teach the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him saying “By what authority do you do these things and who gave this authority to you.?” Answering Jesus said to them “I also will question you with a word. If you tell me the answer I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John. Where did it come from, from heaven or from men?” They reasoned amongst themselves saying “If we say it was from heaven then he will say to us ‘Why then did you not believe him.’ But if we say “From men” we are afraid of the crowd for they will all have John as a prophet.” So they said “We do not know.” Then he said to them Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. How does it seem to you? A man had two children. He approached the first and he said “Child go to work in the vineyard today.” But he answering said “I go Lord”. But he did not. And then approaching the second the man said similarly. And the second answering said “I will not”. But later on repenting, he went. Which of the two did the will of the father? They said “The latter.” Jesus says to them “Truly I tell you the tax-collectors and the harlots are going before you into the kingdom of God. For John came to you in a way of righteousness and you did not believe him. But the tax-collectors and the harlots believed him. But you on seeing did not repent later so as to believe him. Listen to another parable. A man who was a housemaster planted

a vineyard and put a hedge around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower. He let it out to husbandmen and departed. And when the time of the harvest drew near he sent his slaves to the husbandmen to receive its fruits. And taking his slaves they flogged this one, they killed that one and they stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first ones and they did the same to them. But later he sent his son to them saying. “They will respect my son.” But on seeing the son the husbandmen said amongst themselves. “This is the heir. Come let us kill him and let us take possession of his inheritance.” And taking him they cast him outside the vineyard and killed. him. When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those husbandmen. They said to him “As they are bad men he will destroy them and he will give out the vineyard to other husbandmen who will render to him its fruits in due season.” Jesus says to them. “Did you never read in the Scriptures. “A stone which is rejected by the builders has become the corner-stone. This has come from the Lord and it is a marvel in our eyes.” Therefore I tell you the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and will be given to a nation producing its fruits. And the one falling on the stone will be broken to pieces. But on whomever it falls, it will crush him to powder.” And hearing this the chief priests and the Pharisees knew the parables he told were concerning them. They sought to seize him but they feared the crowds who held him as a prophet. 21:23-46

11. Answering Jesus again spoke in parables to them saying. “The kingdom of the heavens is like a man, a king, who made a wedding feast for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the feast but they did not want to come. Again he sent other slaves saying “Tell the people who have been invited. “Behold my supper has been prepared. My oxen and the fatted beasts have been killed and everything is ready. Come to the feast.” But they did not care and went off, one to his own field, another to his trading and the rest, grabbing his slaves insulted them and killed them. So the king became angry and sending in his armies he destroyed those murderers and he burned their city. Then he says to his slaves “Indeed the feast is

ready but those who had been invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the crossroads and as many as you find call them to the feast.” And going out into the road ways the slaves assembled al those whom they found, both the bad and good. The wedding chamber was filled with people reclining. But on entering the king noticed amongst them there was a man who had not been dressed in wedding clothes. He says to him. “Comrade, how is you have come here without wedding clothes?” But he was silent. Then the king said to the servants. Bind him hands and feet and throw him out into the darkness where there will be wailing and the gnashing of teeth. For many are called but few are chosen. 22:1-14

12. Then going the Pharisees took counsel so that they may catch him out in what he said. They send their disciples to him with the Herodians saying “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and you teach the way of God truthfully. You are not concerned about ‘face’ before others. Tell us therefore, how does it seem to you? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?”

But knowing their wickedness Jesus said “Why do you tempt me hypocrites? Show me the money for the tax.” They brought him a denarius. He says to them “Whose image and superscription is this?” They say “Caesar’s.” Then he says to them “Give to Caesar the things of Caesar and to God the things that are God’s.” And hearing this they marvelled and leaving him they went away. 22:15-22

13. The same day the Sadducees approached him. Now the Sadducess say there is not to be a resurrection. They questioned him saying “Teacher Moses said "If any man dies not having children he shall take to wife the wife of his brother and will raise offspring in the name of his brother." Now there were seven brothers amongst us. And the first one, having married, died without any children. So she became the wife of his brother. But the second one died also and likewise also the third until the seven had died. Last of all the woman died.

In the resurrection then, of which of the seven will she be wife for all of them had had her?" On answering Jesus said to them. "You err not knowing either the Scriptures or the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but they are like the angels in heaven. But concerning the resurrection of the dead. Did you not read what was told to you by God saying “I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” And on hearing this the crowds were astounded at his teaching. But the Pharisees heard how he had silenced the Sadducees. 22:23-34

14. When they were assembled together one of them, a lawyer, questioned him, tempting him. He said “Teacher what commandment is the greatest in the law?” He said to him. "Thou shalt love the Lord your God with your whole heart and with all

your soul and with all your understanding.' This is the great and first commandment. The second is like it. 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' On these two commandments rests all the law and the prophets". 22:34-40

15. When the Pharisees were assembled Jesus questioned them saying “What does the Christ seem to you? Whose son is he?” They said to him “David’s” He says to them “How then does David in spirit call him Lord saying

“The Lord said to my Lord “Sit on the right of me until I put your enemies underneath your feet?”” If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” Nobody was able to answer him a word nor dared anyone from that day to question him any more. 22:41-46

16. Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples saying “ On the seat of Moses sat the scribes and the Pharisees. Everything therefore they may tell you, do it and keep it. But do not follow their example. For they say one thing and do not do it themselves. They bind heavy burdens and put them on the shoulders of people. They are not willing to move these things with their finger. But all their works that they do, are to be seen by others. They broaden their phylacteries and enlarge the fringes on their clothes. They like the chief place at suppers and the chief seats in the synagogues. And in the marketplaces they like to be called “rabbi”. But as for you, do not be called “rabbi”. For you have one teacher (only) and you are all brothers. And do not call somebody Father for you have the one Heavenly Father. Neither be called leaders because there is one leader of you which is the Christ. The greater amongst you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled and the one who humbles himself shall be exalted. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. You shut the kingdom of the heavens before people. You do not enter it nor do you allow others to enter it. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. You go about the sea and the land to make one proselyte. And when he becomes a convert you make him a son of gehenna twice more so than what you are yourselves. Woe to you leaders of the blind. You say swearing by the shrine means nothing but those who swear by the gold of the shrine are bound by their oath. Fools and blind people. Which is greater, the gold or the shrine (Temple) which makes the gold sacred. (You say) swearing by the altar means nothing but whoever swears by the gift upon the altar is bound by his oath. Blind people. Which is greater, the gift or the altar which makes the gift sacred? Therefore whoever swears by the altar swears by it and everything upon it. The one swearing by the shrine (Temple) swears by it and those who inhabit it. The one swearing by heaven swears by the throne of God and by the one who sits Upon this.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. Because you tithe the mint and the dill and the cummin you have neglected the weightier things of the law such as judgment and mercy and faith. It has behoved you to enact these things while not ignoring the others. Blind leaders. You are the ones straining at the gnat but swallowing the camel. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. You clean the outside of the cup and the dish. But within these full of robbery and intemperance. Blind Pharisees. First cleanse the inside of the cup that the outside of it may be clean. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. You resemble graves that have been whitewashed. Outwardly these may indeed appear beautiful but within they are full of the bones of dead people and all uncleannesses. Thus also you appear outwardly to others as being righteous. But within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. You build the graves of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous and you say. “If we lived in the days of our fathers we would not have partaken in the blood of the prophets. So you witness to yourselves that you are the sons of those who have killed the prophets. And you fulfil the measure of your fathers. Serpents, offspring of vipers. How will you escape from the judgement of gehenna? Therefore behold I send prophets and wise men and scribes to you. You will kill and crucify them. You will scourge them in your synagogues and will persecute them from city to city. Therefore what falls on you is all the blood of the righteous being shed on the earth going back to the blood of Abel the righteous until the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias whom you murdered between the shrine and the altar. Truly I tell you all these things will come on this generation. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one killing the prophets and stoning those who have been sent to her. How often I have wished to gather your children as a bird gathers her young under her wings and yet you did not want this. Behold what is left of your house to you? I tell you by no means will you see me from now until you say “Blessed the one coming in the name of the Lord” 23:1-38

17. (After) Jesus went forth from the temple. His disciples approached him to point out the buildings of the temple. But answering them he said “Do you see these things? Truly I tell you there will not be a stone on a stone which will not be overthrown.” 24:1-2

18. When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately saying, “Tell us when these things will happen. What will be the sign of your presence and the completion of the age?” Answering Jesus said to them. “Watch out that nobody causes you to err. For many will come in my name saying “I am the Christ” and many will cause error. But when you are about to hear of wars and rumours of wars do not be disturbed for it is inevitable this will happen. But that does not mean the end has come yet. Nation will be raised against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes. But these things are the beginning of birth-pangs. They will deliver you to affliction and will kill you. You will be hated by all the nations because of my name. Many will be offended and will deliver one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will be raised and will cause error. Because of increased lawlessness the love of many will grow cold. But it is the one enduring to the end who will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be

proclaimed throughout the inhabited world as a testimony to all the nations. And then the end will come. When therefore you see the abomination of desolation as spoken about through the prophet Daniel stand in the holy place let the one reading this understand. Then let the ones in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one on the housetop not come down to take the things out of his house. Let the one in the field not turn back to take his garment. Woe to the pregnant women and the ones giving suck in those days. Pray lest your flight be in winter or on a Sabbath for then the affliction will be great such as has not happened since the beginning of the world until now. Nor would it happen again. Unless those days were cut short nobody would be saved. But because of the chosen those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you “Look here is the Christ or there.” Do not believe. False Christs and false prophets will be raised and they will give great signs and marvels so as to cause error, if possible, even amongst the chosen.24:3-24

19. Behold I I have told you before. If therefore they say to you “Behold he is in the desert” do not go out there. Or if they say “Behold he is in the private rooms” do not believe. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines in the west, so will the presence of the Son of man be. Wherever the carcase may be, there the eagles will assemble. Immediately after the affliction of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give her light and the stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven. Then all the tribes of the land will bewail and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and much glory. He will send his angels with a great trumpet and his chosen will assemble out of the four winds from the extremities of the heavens and up to their extremities. Now learn the parable of the fig-tree. When its branch becomes tender and the leaves start to shoot you know that summer is near. So also when you see all these things you will know that it (the end) is at the door. Truly I tell you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away. But my words will by no means pass away. Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, except for the Father. For as in the days of Noah so will be the presence of the Son of man.

For as in those days people before the flood were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage until the day Noah went into the ark. People did not know what was happening until the flood came and took all. So will it also be with the presence of the Son of Man. Then will there be two men in the field. One is taken and one is left. Two women will be grinding grain in the mill. One is taken and one is left. Watch out therefore because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. And know that if the housemaster knew in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed a hole to be dug through into his house. Therefore you also need to be ready. In an hour that you do not think the Son of Man is coming. Who then is the faithful and prudent slave whom the lord appointed over his household to give them their food in due season? Blessed is the slave whom when his Lord comes will find him so doing. Truly I tell you that he will appoint him over all his goods. But if a wicked slave says in his heart “My Lord delays“ and he begins to strike his fellow-slaves and eats and drinks with those who are drunk, then the Lord of that slave will come on a day on which he does not expect and in an hour which he does not know. He will cut him asunder and he will place part of him with the hypocrites. Then there will the wailing and the gnashing of teeth. 24:25-51

20. Then the kingdom of the heavens will be like ten virgins, who, taking their lamps went forth to a meeting with the bridegroom. Now five of them were foolish and five prudent. The foolish ones, on taking their lamps did not take oil with them. But the prudent ones took oil in vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom delayed everyone slumbered and slept. Then in the middle of the night there was a cry. “Behold the bridegroom is coming. Go forth to meet him.” Then all the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. But the foolish said to the prudent

ones. “Give us some of your oil because our lamps have gone out. But the prudent ones answered saying “In case here is not enough for both us and you go rather to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves. But while they were away buying it the bridegroom came and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding festivities. The door was shut. Later on the remaining virgins came saying “Lord Lord open the door for us.” But He answering said “Truly I say to you I do not know you. Watch therefore, because you do not know the day nor the hour." 25:1-13

21. (In the future) There was a man going away from home and he called his own slaves and delivered his goods to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one - each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately on his going the one who had received the five talents traded with them and gained another five. Similarly the one receiving the two gained another two. But the one who had received the one talent on going away dug a hole and hid his lord’s silver. Then after a long time the lord of those slaves came to make an account with them. The one who had received five talents approached and brought the other five talents saying “Lord you delivered five talents to me. Behold I gained another five talents.” His lord said to him “Well done good and faithful slave. Because you were faithful over a few things I will set you over many. Enter into the joy of your lord." Then the one who had received the two talents approached and said “Lord you delivered two talents to me. Behold he two further talents I gained. “

His Lord said to him t "Well done good and faithful slave. Because you were faithful over a few things I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."Then the one who had received one talent approached. He said “Lord I knew you and what a hard man you are, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter. Being afraid I went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold what is yours.” And answering his lord to him. “Evil and slothful slave. You knew that I reap where I did not sow and I gather from where I did not scatter. It behooved you therefore to put my silver pieces with the bankers so that on coming I would have received my money with interest. Therefore take from him the talent I gave and give it instead to the one who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given in abundance. But from the one who does not have even what he has will be taken from him.” And as for the useless slave you will be cast out into the outer darkness where there will be wailing and the gnashing of teeth. 25:14-30

22. When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him he will sit on a throne of glory. Assembled before him will be all the nations. He will separate them from one another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats and he will set the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right. “Come blessed ones of my Father. Inherit the kingdom which has been prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I hungered and you gave me to eat. I thirsted and you gave me to drink. I was a stranger and you entertained me. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him saying “Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsting and give you drink? When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you or naked and clothed you?

and when did we see you ailing or in prison and come to you?”And answering the king will say to them. “Truly tell you inasmuch as you did this to one of these the least of my brothers you did it to me. Then he will say to those on the left. "Go from me cursed ones into eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you did not give me to eat. I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink. I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not cloth me, ill and in prison and you did not visit me." Then they also will answer saying. Lord when did we see you hungry or thirsting or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison and did not minister to you?" Then he will answer them saying “Truly I tell you, inasmuch as you did not do these to one these least ones neither did you do it to me. These will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous will go into life eternal”. 25:31-46

"least" (25:45)

26:1 . And it came to pass when Jesus ended all these words.