Paul has just been rescued from a violent mob in Jerusalem who tried to kill him after falsely believing he brought Gentiles into the temple. Roman soldiers intervened and arrested Paul, carrying him up the steps of the Fortress Antonia as the crowd continued shouting for his death. The commander initially mistook Paul for an Egyptian revolutionary who had recently led four thousand assassins into the wilderness. Paul corrected this misunderstanding, identifying himself as a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia. He then requested permission to address the hostile crowd gathered below. After receiving approval, Paul stood on the steps and motioned for silence before beginning to speak in Hebrew, which immediately captured the crowd's attention. Paul is addressing the Jewish mob in Jerusalem.
[37] Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?”
He replied, “Can you speak Greek? [38] Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”
[39] But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”
[40] So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
[1] “Brethrenand fathers, hear my defense before you now.” [2] And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent.
Then he said: [3] “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. [4] I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, [5] as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
[6] “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. [7] And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ [8] So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’
[9] “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. [10] So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ [11] And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
[12] “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, [13] came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. [14] Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. [15] For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. [16] And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
[17] “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance [18] and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ [19] So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. [20] And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ [21] Then He said to me, ‘Depart,for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”
[22] And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” [23] Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, [24] the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. [25] And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”
[26] When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”
[27] Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?”
He said, “Yes.”
[28] The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.”
And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”
[29] Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
A rich young ruler approaches Jesus seeking eternal life. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, which the man claims to have done since youth. Jesus then instructs him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him, but the man leaves sorrowful because of his great wealth. This prompts Jesus to teach His disciples about the difficulty of the rich entering God's kingdom, using the metaphor of a camel passing through a needle's eye. Peter responds by noting that the disciples have left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus assures them they will receive rewards and sit on thrones judging Israel's twelve tribes in the regeneration, and promises that many who are first will be last, and the last first. Jesus is addressing His disciples.
[16] Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
[17] So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
[18] He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ [19] ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
[20] The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
[21] Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
[22] But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
[23] Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. [24] And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
[25] When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
[26] But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
[27] Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”
[28] So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. [30] But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
[1] “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. [2] Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. [3] And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, [4] and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. [5] Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. [6] And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ [7] They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’
[8] “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ [9] And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. [10] But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. [11] And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, [12] saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ [13] But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? [14] Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. [15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ [16] So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”
People are bringing infants to Jesus for him to touch and bless them, but the disciples rebuke those who bring the children. Jesus has been teaching about prayer, humility, and the kingdom of God while traveling toward Jerusalem. He recently told a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector praying in the temple, emphasizing that God exalts the humble. The religious leaders continue to test Jesus, and he has been instructing his disciples about entering God's kingdom and the cost of following him. Large crowds accompany Jesus as he journeys through towns and villages, and various people approach him seeking healing, teaching, or answers to questions about eternal life and righteousness.
[15] Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. [16] But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. [17] Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
[18] Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
[19] So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. [20] You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
[21] And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”
[22] So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
[23] But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
[24] And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! [25] For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
[26] And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”
[27] But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
[28] Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”
[29] So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, [30] who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
[31] Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. [32] For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. [33] They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”
[34] But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.
In the preceding chapters, John has been addressing the reality of false teachers who have left the Christian community, denying that Jesus is the Christ come in the flesh. He has emphasized the importance of keeping God's commandments and warned believers about the spirit of antichrist that is already present in the world. John has contrasted the children of God with the children of the devil, explaining that those born of God practice righteousness and do not continue in sin. He has stressed that believers should not be surprised by the world's hatred, reminding them that loving one another demonstrates they have passed from death to life. Just before this passage, John has instructed his readers to test the spirits to determine whether they are from God, since many false prophets have gone out into the world.
[7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. [8] He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. [9] In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. [10] In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
[12] No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. [13] By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. [14] And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. [15] Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. [16] And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
[17] Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. [19] We love Him because He first loved us.
[20] If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? [21] And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
The Jewish religious leaders are alarmed by the growing number of people who believe in Jesus after he raised Lazarus from the dead in Bethany. This miracle, performed publicly near Jerusalem, has intensified their concern that Jesus's popularity will provoke Roman intervention against the Jewish nation. The chief priests and Pharisees convene a council meeting to discuss how to respond to Jesus's increasing influence and the signs he performs. They fear that if they allow Jesus to continue unchecked, everyone will believe in him, potentially leading to Roman destruction of their temple and nation. Caiaphas, the high priest that year, has just declared that it is expedient for one man to die for the people rather than the whole nation perish. The chief priests and Pharisees are addressing one another in council.
[47] Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. [48] If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
[49] And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, [50] nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” [51] Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, [52] and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
[53] Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. [54] Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.
Peter and the other disciples have been following Jesus as he teaches about the cost of discipleship. A rich young man has just approached Jesus asking how to inherit eternal life, and after being told to sell all his possessions and give to the poor, he walks away sorrowful because of his great wealth. Jesus then teaches his disciples about how difficult it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom, using the illustration that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. The disciples express astonishment at this teaching, questioning who then can be saved, and Jesus responds that with God all things are possible. The group is now traveling on the road going up to Jerusalem, with Jesus walking ahead of them. Peter is addressing Jesus.
[28] Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”
[29] So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, [30] who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. [31] But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
[32] Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: