On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Jesus has been teaching in the temple courts amid growing controversy about his identity and authority. The religious leaders have been plotting against him, and the crowd remains divided in their opinions about whether he is the Messiah. The Pharisees and chief priests had sent temple guards to arrest Jesus, but the guards returned empty-handed, impressed by his teaching. Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin who had previously met with Jesus at night, briefly defended Jesus by questioning the legality of condemning someone without a proper hearing, but the other leaders dismissed his objection. After this tense confrontation among the Jewish authorities, everyone departed to their homes for the night, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early the next morning, Jesus returned to the temple courts where people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.
[37] On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. [38] He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” [39] But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
[40] Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” [41] Others said, “This is the Christ.”
But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? [42] Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” [43] So there was a division among the people because of Him. [44] Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
[45] Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”
[46] The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”
[47] Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? [48] Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? [49] But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”
[50] Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, [51] “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”
[52] They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”
[53] And everyone went to his own house.
[1] But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
[2] Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. [3] Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, [4] they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. [5] Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” [6] This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
[7] So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” [8] And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. [9] Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. [10] When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
[11] She said, “No one, Lord.”
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
In the preceding verses, Jesus teaches his disciples not to worry about their lives, food, or clothing, emphasizing that their heavenly Father knows their needs and will provide for them. He instructs them to seek God's kingdom first, assuring them that everything else will be given to them. Jesus contrasts the anxiety-driven pursuits of the world with the trust and dependence that should characterize his followers. He uses illustrations from nature, pointing to how God cares for ravens and lilies, to demonstrate that his disciples are far more valuable to God. This teaching on freedom from worry transitions into instructions about being ready for his return and faithful in their responsibilities. Jesus is addressing his disciples.
[32] “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [33] Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
[35] “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; [36] and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. [37] Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. [38] And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. [39] But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. [40] Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
[41] Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”
[42] And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? [43] Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. [44] Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. [45] But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, [46] the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. [47] And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. [48] But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
After departing from Athens, Paul travels to Corinth, a major commercial city in Greece. In Athens, he had engaged with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers at the Areopagus, where his message about the resurrection received mixed reactions—some mocked him while others expressed interest in hearing more. Despite gaining a few converts including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, Paul's ministry in Athens concluded without establishing a significant community of believers. The apostle now arrives in Corinth, a bustling port city known for its diverse population and notorious reputation for immorality, where he will encounter new opportunities and challenges in proclaiming the gospel. This marks a significant transition in his second missionary journey as he moves from the intellectual center of Athens to the commercial hub of Corinth.
[1] After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. [2] And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. [3] So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. [4] And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
[5] When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. [6] But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” [7] And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. [8] Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
[9] Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; [10] for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” [11] And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
John writes to believers who are already familiar with the commandment to love one another, which has existed from the beginning of their faith. He emphasizes that this ancient command takes on new meaning through Christ's example and the spiritual light now shining in their lives as darkness fades away. John warns against harboring hatred toward fellow believers, which keeps one in spiritual darkness and causes stumbling. He addresses different groups within the church—children, fathers, and young men—affirming their spiritual victories and knowledge of God while cautioning them about worldly attachments. The apostle contrasts genuine love for God with love for the world system, explaining that worldly desires are temporary and opposed to doing God's will, whereas those who obey God will endure forever.
[7] Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. [8] Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
[9] He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. [10] He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. [11] But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
[12] I write to you, little children,
Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.
[13] I write to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children,
Because you have known the Father.
[14] I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
And you have overcome the wicked one.
[15] Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. [17] And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
When Jesus heard about John the Baptist's execution by Herod Antipas, he withdrew by boat to a solitary place. However, crowds from various towns learned of his departure and followed him on foot along the shore. Despite seeking solitude in his grief, Jesus felt compassion for the multitude when he landed and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples urged him to dismiss the people so they could buy food in nearby villages, but Jesus instructed his disciples to feed them instead. The disciples expressed concern about their limited resources of only five loaves and two fish, yet Jesus proceeded to organize the crowd and prepare for a miraculous provision. Jesus is addressing his disciples and the large crowd that followed him.
[13] When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. [14] And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. [15] When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”
[16] But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
[17] And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”
[18] He said, “Bring them here to Me.” [19] Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. [20] So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. [21] Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
The Pharisees and scribes have been observing Jesus' ministry with increasing scrutiny and concern. Jesus has been performing miracles throughout Galilee, including healing the sick, casting out demons, and feeding five thousand people with just five loaves and two fish. He recently walked on water and calmed his disciples' fears during a storm on the Sea of Galilee. After landing at Gennesaret, crowds brought the sick to him, and all who touched even the fringe of his garment were healed. These mighty works have attracted large crowds but also intensified the religious leaders' opposition. Now, Pharisees and scribes have come from Jerusalem specifically to confront Jesus about his disciples' failure to observe the traditional ceremonial washing rituals before eating, which violates the oral traditions handed down by the elders.
[1] Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. [2] Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. [3] For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. [4] When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.
[5] Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”
[6] He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
[7] And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
[8] For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”
[9] He said to them, “ All too wellyou reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. [10] For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ ; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ [11] But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), [12] then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, [13] making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
[14] When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: [15] There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. [16] If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”