Jesus has been teaching His disciples about faithful stewardship and readiness for His return, warning them not to fear those who can only kill the body but to fear God instead. He has instructed them about confessing Him before others, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and trusting the Holy Spirit when brought before authorities. Jesus then told parables about a rich fool who stored up earthly treasures and about servants waiting for their master's return, emphasizing watchfulness and faithful service. He explained that much will be required from those given much, and warned that He came to bring division rather than peace on earth. After rebuking the crowds for their ability to interpret weather but not the present time, Jesus urged them to settle matters quickly with adversaries. He then addressed reports about Galileans whom Pilate had killed, using this and the tower of Siloam incident to call people to repentance. Jesus is addressing the crowds, including His disciples.
[49] “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! [50] But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! [51] Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. [52] For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. [53] Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
[54] Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. [55] And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. [56] Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?
[57] “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? [58] When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. [59] I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.”
[1] There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. [2] And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? [3] I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. [4] Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
[6] He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. [7] Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ [8] But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. [9] And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”
During Paul's eighteen-month stay in Corinth, he lived with Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers who had recently arrived from Rome after Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from the city. Paul preached in the synagogue every Sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks about Jesus as the Messiah. When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to testifying that Jesus was the Christ. However, Jewish opposition intensified, leading Paul to shake out his garments and declare he would now turn to the Gentiles. He moved his ministry to the house of Titius Justus, a God-fearing Gentile whose home adjoined the synagogue. Despite this opposition, many Corinthians believed and were baptized, including Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household. The Lord encouraged Paul in a night vision, assuring him of protection and promising that many people in Corinth belonged to God, which motivated Paul to continue his extended ministry there.
[12] When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, [13] saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
[14] And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. [15] But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.” [16] And he drove them from the judgment seat. [17] Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.
[18] So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow. [19] And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. [20] When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, [21] but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.
[22] And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. [23] After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
[24] Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. [25] This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. [26] So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. [27] And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; [28] for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
The apostle John has been writing to believers about their relationship with God and their conduct in the world. He has emphasized the importance of obeying God's commandments, loving one another, and not loving the world or the things in it. John has just warned his readers about the temporary nature of worldly desires and encouraged them to abide in Christ. He has distinguished between those who truly know God and those who merely claim to know Him, stressing that genuine faith produces obedience and love. Throughout the letter, John addresses his readers affectionately as "little children," reminding them of their spiritual victory over the evil one and their knowledge of the Father through the word of God that abides in them.
[18] Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. [19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
[20] But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. [21] I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
[22] Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. [23] Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
Jesus has just performed the miracle of feeding five thousand men, plus women and children, with only five loaves of bread and two fish near Bethsaida. After the crowd ate and was satisfied, the disciples gathered twelve baskets full of leftover fragments. Following this extraordinary event, Jesus immediately compels His disciples to board a boat and cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while He dismisses the multitude. Once the crowd departs, Jesus ascends a mountain alone to pray, remaining there into the evening. Meanwhile, the disciples' boat has traveled a considerable distance from shore and encounters strong winds and rough waves during the night. Jesus is addressing His disciples.
[22] Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the 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 on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. [24] But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
[25] Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. [26] And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
[27] But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
[28] And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
[29] So 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 that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
[31] And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” [32] And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
[33] Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
[34] When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. [35] And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, [36] and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.
Jesus has just confronted the Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem who criticized his disciples for eating with unwashed hands, declaring that what enters a person doesn't defile them but what comes from the heart does. He called the crowd to understand this principle about true defilement, then left the public area. Now his disciples seek private clarification about the parable he spoke to the multitude. After explaining that food cannot defile because it passes through the body, Jesus lists evil thoughts and actions that truly defile a person from within. Following this teaching, Jesus departs from Jewish territory and travels north to the region of Tyre and Sidon, entering a house where he hopes to remain unnoticed. However, a Syrophoenician woman whose daughter has an unclean spirit hears of his presence and comes to him. Jesus is addressing his disciples when explaining the parable, then later responds to the Gentile woman who seeks healing for her daughter.
[17] When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. [18] So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, [19] because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” [20] And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. [21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, [22] thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. [23] All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
[24] From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. [25] For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. [26] The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. [27] But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
[28] And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”
[29] Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”
[30] And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.
Jesus has just concluded a tense confrontation at the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles, where religious leaders brought a woman caught in adultery before him, attempting to trap him with questions about Mosaic law. After challenging them with his response about casting the first stone, the accusers departed, and Jesus told the woman he did not condemn her and instructed her to leave her life of sin. The festival atmosphere continues at the temple, where large golden lampstands have been lit to commemorate God's guidance of Israel through the wilderness. Jesus remains in the treasury area of the temple, teaching among the crowds who have gathered for the feast. Jesus is addressing the crowds at the temple, with Pharisees present and challenging his claims.
[12] Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
[13] The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”
[14] Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. [15] You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. [16] And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. [17] It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. [18] I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”
[19] Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?”
Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”
[20] These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.