The apostles Peter and John have healed a lame beggar at the temple gate, drawing a large crowd to whom Peter preached about Jesus. The Jewish religious leaders arrested them and brought them before the Sanhedrin the next day for questioning. When asked by what power or name they performed the healing, Peter boldly proclaimed that it was through Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified but God raised from the dead. He declared that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. The religious leaders were astonished by the apostles' boldness despite their lack of formal education and recognized they had been with Jesus. Unable to deny the obvious miracle since the healed man stood before them, the council warned Peter and John not to speak or teach in Jesus' name anymore. The apostles refused to comply, stating they must obey God rather than men. After further threats, the council released them, unable to punish them because the people were praising God for the miracle.
[13] Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. [14] And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. [15] But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, [16] saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. [17] But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
[18] So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. [20] For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” [21] So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. [22] For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
[23] And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. [24] So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, [25] who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
[26] The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
[27] “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together [28] to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. [29] Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, [30] by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
[31] And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
James addresses the nature of temptation and its relationship to God, explaining that believers should not attribute evil desires to divine testing. He has just finished discussing how trials should be met with joy and how wisdom can be obtained through faithful prayer. James emphasizes the importance of being doers of the word rather than merely hearers, warning against self-deception in spiritual matters. He contrasts pure religion with empty religious practice, highlighting care for the vulnerable and maintaining personal holiness. The epistle continues James's practical instruction to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire, focusing on authentic faith demonstrated through righteous living and self-control. James is addressing Jewish believers in the diaspora.
[13] Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. [14] But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. [15] Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
[16] Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. [17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. [18] Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
[19] So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; [20] for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
[21] Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
[22] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; [24] for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. [25] But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
[26] If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. [27] Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
Jesus has begun his public ministry in Galilee after his baptism by John and his temptation in the wilderness. He has called his first disciples—Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John—while they were fishing by the Sea of Galilee. News about Jesus has spread throughout the region as he travels, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing people afflicted with various diseases and ailments. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan have begun following him because of his miraculous healings and authoritative teaching. Seeing the multitudes gathering around him, Jesus withdraws to a mountainside where he sits down in the traditional posture of a Jewish teacher. Jesus is addressing his disciples and the crowds who have followed him.
[1] And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. [2] Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
[3] “Blessedare the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
[5] Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
[6] Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
[7] Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
[8] Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
[9] Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
[10] Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[11] “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. [12] Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus has just risen from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. Earlier that same day, women discovered the empty tomb and angels announced his resurrection. Two disciples traveling to Emmaus encountered the risen Jesus but did not recognize him until he broke bread with them, after which he vanished. These two disciples immediately returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven apostles and others gathered together, who reported that the Lord had risen and appeared to Simon Peter. While the two disciples were explaining their own encounter with Jesus on the road, Jesus himself suddenly appears in their midst despite the doors being locked. Jesus is addressing the gathered disciples, including the eleven apostles and the two who had just returned from Emmaus.
[36] Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” [37] But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. [38] And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? [39] Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
[40] When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.