As Jesus approaches Jericho on his final journey to Jerusalem, he has been teaching his disciples about the kingdom of God, prayer, and the cost of discipleship. He recently told the parable of the persistent widow to encourage continual prayer and warned about self-righteousness through the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Jesus blessed little children, emphasizing that the kingdom belongs to those who receive it like a child. A rich young ruler approached Jesus asking about eternal life but went away sorrowful when told to sell his possessions and follow Jesus. This prompted Jesus to teach about the difficulty of the wealthy entering God's kingdom and to promise rewards for those who sacrifice for the kingdom. Jesus then privately warned his twelve disciples that he would be delivered to the Gentiles in Jerusalem, mocked, flogged, and killed, but would rise on the third day, though they did not understand these words.
[35] Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. [36] And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. [37] So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. [38] And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
[39] Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
[40] So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, [41] saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”
[42] Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” [43] And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
[1] Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. [2] Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. [3] And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. [4] So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. [5] And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” [6] So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. [7] But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”
[8] Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
[9] And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; [10] for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
[11] Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. [12] Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. [13] So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ [14] But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’
[15] “And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. [16] Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ [17] And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ [18] And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ [19] Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’
[20] “Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. [21] For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ [22] And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. [23] Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’
[24] “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ [25] (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) [26] ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. [27] But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’ ”
[28] When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
The previous day, a mob of Jews attacked Paul in the temple courts after falsely accusing him of bringing Gentiles into the sacred area. Roman soldiers rescued Paul from the crowd that was attempting to kill him. The commander arrested Paul, binding him with chains, but could not determine the charges against him due to the uproar. Paul requested permission to address the crowd and spoke to them in Aramaic from the steps of the barracks. He recounted his Jewish credentials, his persecution of Christians, his dramatic conversion on the Damascus road, and his commission from Jesus to preach to the Gentiles. When Paul mentioned his calling to the Gentiles, the crowd erupted again, demanding his death. The commander ordered Paul taken into the barracks for interrogation by flogging, but Paul revealed his Roman citizenship, which immediately halted the proceedings and alarmed the commander who had bound him unlawfully.
[30] The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
[1] Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” [2] And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. [3] Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”
[4] And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”
[5] Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”
[6] But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
[7] And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. [8] For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. [9] Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”
[10] Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.
[11] But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me inJerusalem, so you must also bear witness atRome.”
John has been emphasizing the inseparable connection between loving God and loving one's brothers, establishing that genuine faith produces obedience to God's commandments and love for fellow believers. He has warned against the spirit of antichrist and false teachers who deny that Jesus is the Christ come in the flesh, urging his readers to abide in the truth they received from the beginning. John has also developed the theme that God's children practice righteousness and love one another, contrasting them with children of the devil who practice sin and hatred. He has assured believers of their confidence before God through Christ's atoning sacrifice and the testimony of the Spirit, while distinguishing between true and false spirits. Immediately before this passage, John has declared that everyone who loves is born of God and knows God, because God is love, and has emphasized that perfect love casts out fear and that loving God requires loving one's brother.
[1] Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. [2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. [3] For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. [4] For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. [5] Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
[6] This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. [7] For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. [8] And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.
[9] If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. [10] He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. [11] And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. [12] He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
The Jewish Passover approaches, and many people travel to Jerusalem early to ceremonially purify themselves before the feast. The chief priests and Pharisees have issued orders for anyone knowing Jesus's whereabouts to report it, as they seek to arrest him. Despite this danger, Jesus arrives in Bethany six days before Passover, the town where he recently raised Lazarus from the dead. The resurrection of Lazarus has created significant tension, as many Jews have come to believe in Jesus because of this miracle. Meanwhile, the religious leaders grow increasingly concerned about Jesus's influence and begin plotting not only against Jesus but also against Lazarus, whose continued existence serves as living proof of Jesus's power and draws many people to faith.
[55] And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. [56] Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that He will not come to the feast?” [57] Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.
[1] Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. [2] There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. [3] Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
[4] But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, [5] “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” [6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
[7] But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. [8] For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
[9] Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. [10] But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, [11] because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
Jesus is traveling toward Jerusalem with his disciples, having recently taught about the kingdom of heaven through parables and addressed questions about divorce, children, and wealth. A rich young ruler has just departed sorrowfully after learning the cost of discipleship, prompting Jesus to explain how difficult it is for the wealthy to enter God's kingdom and to promise rewards for those who sacrifice for his sake. Peter has questioned what the disciples will receive for leaving everything to follow Jesus, and Jesus has responded with the parable of the workers in the vineyard, illustrating that God's grace operates differently than human expectations of merit and reward. Now Jesus prepares to reveal specific details about his approaching suffering and death in Jerusalem. Jesus is addressing his twelve disciples.
[17] Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, [18] “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, [19] and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”
[20] Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.
[21] And He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
[22] But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
They said to Him, “We are able.”
[23] So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
[24] And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. [25] But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. [26] Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. [27] And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Jesus and his disciples are traveling toward Jerusalem, with Jesus walking ahead of them while the disciples follow with growing fear and amazement about what lies ahead. This journey follows Jesus's ministry in Judea and beyond the Jordan, where he has been teaching about divorce, blessing children, and discussing eternal life with a rich young man who chose to keep his wealth rather than follow him. Jesus has already predicted his death and resurrection twice during their travels, and the disciples have struggled to understand the gravity of these warnings. The religious authorities in Jerusalem have been increasingly hostile toward Jesus, and the tension has been mounting as he deliberately moves toward the city where prophets have historically faced persecution. The atmosphere among the group is heavy with anticipation and uncertainty about what awaits them in Jerusalem. Jesus is addressing his twelve disciples.
[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: [33] “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; [34] and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”
[35] Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
[36] And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
[37] They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”
[38] But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
[39] They said to Him, “We are able.”
So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; [40] but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”
[41] And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. [42] But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [43] Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. [44] And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. [45] For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”