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2 Samuel 8-9
New Living Translation

David’s Military Victories

8 After this, David defeated and subdued the Philistines by conquering Gath, their largest town.[a] 2 David also conquered the land of Moab. He made the people lie down on the ground in a row, and he measured them off in groups with a length of rope. He measured off two groups to be executed for every one group to be spared. The Moabites who were spared became David’s subjects and paid him tribute money.

3 David also destroyed the forces of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when Hadadezer marched out to strengthen his control along the Euphrates River. 4 David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers,[b] and 20,000 foot soldiers. He crippled all the chariot horses except enough for 100 chariots.

5 When Arameans from Damascus arrived to help King Hadadezer, David killed 22,000 of them. 6 Then he placed several army garrisons in Damascus, the Aramean capital, and the Arameans became David’s subjects and paid him tribute money. So the Lord made David victorious wherever he went.

7 David brought the gold shields of Hadadezer’s officers to Jerusalem, 8 along with a large amount of bronze from Hadadezer’s towns of Tebah[c] and Berothai.

9 When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had destroyed the entire army of Hadadezer, 10 he sent his son Joram to congratulate King David for his successful campaign. Hadadezer and Toi had been enemies and were often at war. Joram presented David with many gifts of silver, gold, and bronze.

11 King David dedicated all these gifts to the Lord, as he did with the silver and gold from the other nations he had defeated— 12 from Edom,[d] Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek—and from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 So David became even more famous when he returned from destroying 18,000 Edomites[e] in the Valley of Salt. 14 He placed army garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. In fact, the Lord made David victorious wherever he went.

15 So David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people. 16 Joab son of Zeruiah was commander of the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the royal historian. 17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were the priests. Seraiah was the court secretary. 18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard.[f] And David’s sons served as priestly leaders.[g]

David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth

9 One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked.

“Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied.

3 The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.”

Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.”

4 “Where is he?” the king asked.

“In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”

5 So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. 6 His name was Mephibosheth[h]; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.”

Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”

7 “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”

8 Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”

9 Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household.[i] But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

11 Ziba replied, “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table,[j] like one of the king’s own sons.

12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants. 13 And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.

Footnotes

  1. 8:1 Hebrew by conquering Metheg-ammah, a name that means “the bridle,” possibly referring to the size of the town or the tribute money taken from it. Compare 1 Chr 18:1.
  2. 8:4 As in Dead Sea Scrolls and Greek version (see also 1 Chr 18:4); Masoretic Text reads captured 1,700 charioteers.
  3. 8:8 As in some Greek manuscripts (see also 1 Chr 18:8); Hebrew reads Betah.
  4. 8:12 As in a few Hebrew manuscripts and Greek and Syriac versions (see also 8:14; 1 Chr 18:11); most Hebrew manuscripts read Aram.
  5. 8:13 As in a few Hebrew manuscripts and Greek and Syriac versions (see also 8:14; 1 Chr 18:12); most Hebrew manuscripts read Arameans.
  6. 8:18a Hebrew of the Kerethites and Pelethites.
  7. 8:18b Hebrew David’s sons were priests; compare parallel text at 1 Chr 18:17.
  8. 9:6 Mephibosheth is another name for Merib-baal.
  9. 9:10 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads your master’s grandson.
  10. 9:11 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads my table.
Listen to 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18-19, Matthew 21
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2 Samuel 8-9
New American Standard Bible

David’s Triumphs

8 (A)Now it happened afterward that David [a]defeated the Philistines and subdued them; and David took [b]control of the chief city from the hand of the Philistines.

2 (B)And He [c]defeated (C)Moab, and measured them with the line, making them lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and a full line to keep alive. And (D)the Moabites became servants to David, (E)bringing tribute.

3 Then David [d]defeated (F)Hadadezer, the son of Rehob king of Zobah, as (G)he went to restore his [e]power at the Euphrates River. 4 And David captured from him [f]1,700 horsemen and twenty thousand foot soldiers; and David (H)hamstrung almost all the chariot horses, but left enough of them for a hundred chariots. 5 When (I)the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David [g]killed twenty-two thousand men among the Arameans. 6 Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus, and (J)the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And (K)the Lord helped David wherever he went. 7 David took the shields of gold which were [h]carried by the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 And from [i]Betah and (L)Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a very large amount of bronze.

9 Now when Toi king of (M)Hamath heard that David had [j]defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, 10 Toi sent his son [k]Joram to King David to [l]greet him and bless him, because he had fought Hadadezer and [m]defeated him; for Hadadezer [n]had been at war with Toi. And [o]Joram brought with him articles of silver, gold, and bronze. 11 King David also (N)consecrated these gifts to the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had consecrated from all the nations which he had subdued: 12 from [p]Aram, (O)Moab, (P)the sons of Ammon, (Q)the Philistines, (R)Amalek, and from the spoils of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 So (S)David made a name for himself when he returned from [q]killing eighteen thousand [r]Arameans in (T)the Valley of Salt. 14 He also put garrisons in Edom. In all Edom he put garrisons, and (U)all the Edomites became servants to David. And (V)the Lord helped David wherever he went.

15 So David reigned over all Israel; and David [s]administered justice and righteousness for all his people. 16 (W)Joab the son of Zeruiah was commander over the army, and (X)Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was (Y)secretary. 17 (Z)Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were (AA)priests, and Seraiah was (AB)scribe. 18 (AC)Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [t]was over the (AD)Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were [u](AE)chief ministers.

David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth

9 Then David said, “Is there [v]anyone still left of the house of Saul, (AF)so that I could show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they summoned him to David; and the king said to him, “Are you (AG)Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3 Then the king said, “Is there no one remaining of the house of Saul to whom I could show the (AH)kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “(AI)There is still a son of Jonathan, one who is disabled in both feet.” 4 So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is (AJ)in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent [w]messengers who brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar. 6 (AK)Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, came to David and (AL)fell on his face and prostrated himself. And David said, “Mephibosheth.” And he said, “Here is your servant!” 7 Then David said to him, “Do not be afraid, for (AM)I will assuredly show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I (AN)will restore to you all the [x]land of your [y]grandfather Saul; and (AO)you yourself shall [z]eat at my table regularly.” 8 Again he prostrated himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should be concerned about (AP)a dead dog like me?”

9 Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “(AQ)Everything that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s [aa]grandson. 10 You and your sons and your servants shall cultivate the land for him, and you shall bring in the produce so that your master’s grandson will have food [ab]to eat; nevertheless (AR)Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, (AS)shall [ac]eat at my table regularly.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “In accordance (AT)with everything that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at [ad]David’s table as one of the king’s sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. And all who lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth. 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because (AU)he ate at the king’s table regularly. And (AV)he was disabled in his two feet.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 8:1 Lit struck
  2. 2 Samuel 8:1 Lit the bridle of the mother city
  3. 2 Samuel 8:2 Lit struck
  4. 2 Samuel 8:3 Lit struck
  5. 2 Samuel 8:3 Lit hand
  6. 2 Samuel 8:4 Here LXX reads as 1 Chr 18:4; partial DSS text appears to also
  7. 2 Samuel 8:5 Lit struck
  8. 2 Samuel 8:7 Lit on
  9. 2 Samuel 8:8 In 1 Chr 18:8, Tibhath
  10. 2 Samuel 8:9 Lit struck
  11. 2 Samuel 8:10 In 1 Chr 18:10, Hadoram
  12. 2 Samuel 8:10 Lit ask him of his welfare
  13. 2 Samuel 8:10 Lit struck
  14. 2 Samuel 8:10 Lit was a man of wars
  15. 2 Samuel 8:10 Lit there were in his hand
  16. 2 Samuel 8:12 Some mss Edom
  17. 2 Samuel 8:13 Lit striking
  18. 2 Samuel 8:13 Some mss Edom
  19. 2 Samuel 8:15 Lit was doing
  20. 2 Samuel 8:18 See 1 Chr 18:17; MT and the Cherethites
  21. 2 Samuel 8:18 Lit priests
  22. 2 Samuel 9:1 Lit he who is
  23. 2 Samuel 9:5 Lit and he brought
  24. 2 Samuel 9:7 Lit field
  25. 2 Samuel 9:7 Lit father
  26. 2 Samuel 9:7 Lit eat bread
  27. 2 Samuel 9:9 Lit son
  28. 2 Samuel 9:10 Lit and eat it
  29. 2 Samuel 9:10 Lit eat bread
  30. 2 Samuel 9:11 Lit my
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1 Chronicles 18-19
New Living Translation

David’s Military Victories

18 After this, David defeated and subdued the Philistines by conquering Gath and its surrounding towns. 2 David also conquered the land of Moab, and the Moabites who were spared became David’s subjects and paid him tribute money.

3 David also destroyed the forces of Hadadezer, king of Zobah, as far as Hamath,[a] when Hadadezer marched out to strengthen his control along the Euphrates River. 4 David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers, and 20,000 foot soldiers. He crippled all the chariot horses except enough for 100 chariots.

5 When Arameans from Damascus arrived to help King Hadadezer, David killed 22,000 of them. 6 Then he placed several army garrisons[b] in Damascus, the Aramean capital, and the Arameans became David’s subjects and paid him tribute money. So the Lord made David victorious wherever he went.

7 David brought the gold shields of Hadadezer’s officers to Jerusalem, 8 along with a large amount of bronze from Hadadezer’s towns of Tebah[c] and Cun. Later Solomon melted the bronze and molded it into the great bronze basin called the Sea, the pillars, and the various bronze articles used at the Temple.

9 When King Toi[d] of Hamath heard that David had destroyed the entire army of King Hadadezer of Zobah, 10 he sent his son Joram[e] to congratulate King David for his successful campaign. Hadadezer and Toi had been enemies and were often at war. Joram presented David with many gifts of gold, silver, and bronze.

11 King David dedicated all these gifts to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had taken from the other nations—from Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek.

12 Abishai son of Zeruiah destroyed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13 He placed army garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. In fact, the Lord made David victorious wherever he went.

14 So David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people. 15 Joab son of Zeruiah was commander of the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the royal historian. 16 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech[f] son of Abiathar were the priests. Seraiah[g] was the court secretary. 17 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard.[h] And David’s sons served as the king’s chief assistants.

David Defeats the Ammonites

19 Some time after this, King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun[i] became king. 2 David said, “I am going to show loyalty to Hanun because his father, Nahash, was always loyal to me.” So David sent messengers to express sympathy to Hanun about his father’s death.

But when David’s ambassadors arrived in the land of Ammon, 3 the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun, “Do you really think these men are coming here to honor your father? No! David has sent them to spy out the land so they can come in and conquer it!” 4 So Hanun seized David’s ambassadors and shaved them, cut off their robes at the buttocks, and sent them back to David in shame.

5 When David heard what had happened to the men, he sent messengers to tell them, “Stay at Jericho until your beards grow out, and then come back.” For they felt deep shame because of their appearance.

6 When the people of Ammon realized how seriously they had angered David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent 75,000 pounds[j] of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah. 7 They also hired 32,000 chariots and secured the support of the king of Maacah and his army. These forces camped at Medeba, where they were joined by the Ammonite troops that Hanun had recruited from his own towns. 8 When David heard about this, he sent Joab and all his warriors to fight them. 9 The Ammonite troops came out and drew up their battle lines at the entrance of the city, while the other kings positioned themselves to fight in the open fields.

10 When Joab saw that he would have to fight on both the front and the rear, he chose some of Israel’s elite troops and placed them under his personal command to fight the Arameans in the fields. 11 He left the rest of the army under the command of his brother Abishai, who was to attack the Ammonites. 12 “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then come over and help me,” Joab told his brother. “And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will help you. 13 Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord’s will be done.”

14 When Joab and his troops attacked, the Arameans began to run away. 15 And when the Ammonites saw the Arameans running, they also ran from Abishai and retreated into the city. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem.

16 The Arameans now realized that they were no match for Israel, so they sent messengers and summoned additional Aramean troops from the other side of the Euphrates River.[k] These troops were under the command of Shobach,[l] the commander of Hadadezer’s forces.

17 When David heard what was happening, he mobilized all Israel, crossed the Jordan River, and positioned his troops in battle formation. Then David engaged the Arameans in battle, and they fought against him. 18 But again the Arameans fled from the Israelites. This time David’s forces killed 7,000 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers, including Shobach, the commander of their army. 19 When Hadadezer’s allies saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they surrendered to David and became his subjects. After that, the Arameans were no longer willing to help the Ammonites.

Footnotes

  1. 18:3 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
  2. 18:6 As in Greek version and Latin Vulgate (see also 2 Sam 8:6); Hebrew lacks several army garrisons.
  3. 18:8 Hebrew reads Tibhath, a variant spelling of Tebah; compare parallel text at 2 Sam 8:8.
  4. 18:9 As in parallel text at 2 Sam 8:9; Hebrew reads Tou; also in 18:10.
  5. 18:10 As in parallel text at 2 Sam 8:10; Hebrew reads Hadoram, a variant spelling of Joram.
  6. 18:16a As in some Hebrew manuscripts, Syriac version, and Latin Vulgate (see also 2 Sam 8:17); most Hebrew manuscripts read Abimelech.
  7. 18:16b As in parallel text at 2 Sam 8:17; Hebrew reads Shavsha.
  8. 18:17 Hebrew of the Kerethites and Pelethites.
  9. 19:1 As in parallel text at 2 Sam 10:1; Hebrew lacks Hanun.
  10. 19:6 Hebrew 1,000 talents [34,000 kilograms].
  11. 19:16a Hebrew the river.
  12. 19:16b As in parallel text at 2 Sam 10:16; Hebrew reads Shophach; also in 19:18.
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1 Chronicles 18-19
New American Standard Bible

David’s Kingdom Strengthened

18 Now after this (A)it came about that David [a]defeated the Philistines and subdued them and took Gath and its towns from the hand of the Philistines. 2 And he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute.

3 David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah as far as Hamath, as he went to establish his [b]rule to the river Euphrates. 4 David took from him a thousand chariots and seven thousand horsemen and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and David hamstrung almost all the chariot horses, but left enough of them for a hundred chariots.

5 When the Arameans of [c]Damascus came to help Hadadezer king (B)of Zobah, David [d]killed twenty-two thousand men of the Arameans. 6 Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of [e]Damascus; and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And the Lord helped David wherever he went. 7 And David took the shields of gold which were [f]carried by the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 Also from [g]Tibhath and Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a very large amount of bronze, with which (C)Solomon made the bronze [h]Sea and the pillars and the bronze utensils.

9 Now when [i]Tou king of Hamath heard that David had [j]defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10 he sent [k]Hadoram his son to King David to [l]greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and had [m]defeated him; for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou. And Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and bronze. 11 King David also dedicated these to the Lord, with the silver and the gold which he had carried away from all the nations: from Edom, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Philistines, and from Amalek.

12 Moreover, Abishai the son of Zeruiah [n]defeated eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13 Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the Lord helped David wherever he went.

14 So David reigned over all Israel; and he [o]administered justice and righteousness for all his people. 15 (D)Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was secretary; 16 and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Shavsha was secretary; 17 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and the sons of David were chiefs at the king’s side.

David’s Messengers Abused

19 (E)Now it came about after this, that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon died, and his son became king in his place. 2 Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the sons of Ammon to Hanun to console him. 3 But the commanders among the sons of Ammon said to Hanun, “[p]Do you think that David is honoring your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Have his servants not come to you to search, to demolish, and to spy out the land?” 4 So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved them, and cut off their robes in the middle as far as their buttocks, and sent them away. 5 Then certain people went and told David about the men. And he sent messengers to meet them, because the men were very humiliated. And the king said, “Stay at Jericho until your beards grow back, then return.”

6 When the sons of Ammon saw that they had made themselves repulsive to David, Hanun and the sons of Ammon sent [q]a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia, Aram-maacah, and (F)Zobah. 7 So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and camped opposite (G)Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered together from their cities and came to the battle. 8 When David heard about it, he sent Joab and all the army, the mighty men. 9 The sons of Ammon came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance of the city; and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.

Ammon and Aram Defeated

10 Now when Joab saw that the [r]battle was set against him at the front and at the rear, he selected warriors from all the choice men in Israel and lined them up against the Arameans. 11 But the remainder of the people he placed [s]under the command of [t]Abshai his brother; and they lined up against the sons of Ammon. 12 He said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. 13 Be strong, and let’s show ourselves courageous for the benefit of our people and the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight.” 14 So Joab and the people who were with him advanced to battle against the Arameans, and they fled from him. 15 When the sons of Ammon saw that the Arameans had fled, they also fled from his brother Abshai and entered the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.

16 When the Arameans saw that they had been [u]defeated by Israel, they sent messengers and brought out the Arameans who were beyond the Euphrates River, with Shophach the commander of the army of Hadadezer [v]leading them. 17 When it was reported to David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan, and came upon them and drew up in formation against them. And when David drew up in battle formation against the Arameans, they fought against him. 18 And the Arameans fled from Israel, and David killed of the Arameans seven thousand charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers; and he put Shophach the commander of the army to death. 19 So when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been [w]defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and served him. So the Arameans were not willing to help the sons of Ammon anymore.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 18:1 Lit struck, and so in vv 1-3
  2. 1 Chronicles 18:3 Lit hand
  3. 1 Chronicles 18:5 Heb Darmeseq
  4. 1 Chronicles 18:5 Lit struck
  5. 1 Chronicles 18:6 Heb Darmeseq
  6. 1 Chronicles 18:7 Lit on
  7. 1 Chronicles 18:8 In 2 Sam 8:8, Betah
  8. 1 Chronicles 18:8 I.e., large basin
  9. 1 Chronicles 18:9 In 2 Sam 8:9, Toi
  10. 1 Chronicles 18:9 Lit struck
  11. 1 Chronicles 18:10 In 2 Sam 8:10, Joram
  12. 1 Chronicles 18:10 Lit ask him of his welfare
  13. 1 Chronicles 18:10 Lit struck
  14. 1 Chronicles 18:12 Lit struck
  15. 1 Chronicles 18:14 Lit was doing
  16. 1 Chronicles 19:3 Lit Is David honoring your father in your eyes
  17. 1 Chronicles 19:6 About 38 tons or 34 metric tons
  18. 1 Chronicles 19:10 Lit face of the battle
  19. 1 Chronicles 19:11 Lit in the hand of
  20. 1 Chronicles 19:11 In 2 Sam 10:10, Abishai
  21. 1 Chronicles 19:16 Lit struck before
  22. 1 Chronicles 19:16 Lit before
  23. 1 Chronicles 19:19 Lit struck before
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Matthew 21
New Living Translation

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry

21 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”

4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem,[a]
    ‘Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—
    riding on a donkey’s colt.’”[b]

6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.[c]

8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God[d] for the Son of David!
    Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
    Praise God in highest heaven!”[e]

10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.

11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Jesus Clears the Temple

12 Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”[f]

14 The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”

But the leaders were indignant. 16 They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’[g]” 17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, 19 and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up.

20 The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. 22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

23 When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”

24 “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. 25 “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”

They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John. 26 But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.” 27 So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.

Parable of the Two Sons

28 “But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. 30 Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.

31 “Which of the two obeyed his father?”

They replied, “The first.”[h]

Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. 32 For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.

Parable of the Evil Farmers

33 “Now listen to another story. A certain landowner planted a vineyard, built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. 34 At the time of the grape harvest, he sent his servants to collect his share of the crop. 35 But the farmers grabbed his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 So the landowner sent a larger group of his servants to collect for him, but the results were the same.

37 “Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’

38 “But when the tenant farmers saw his son coming, they said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ 39 So they grabbed him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and murdered him.

40 “When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked, “what do you think he will do to those farmers?”

41 The religious leaders replied, “He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.”

42 Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures?

‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing,
    and it is wonderful to see.’[i]

43 I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. 44 Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.[j]”

45 When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. 46 They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet.

Footnotes

  1. 21:5a Greek Tell the daughter of Zion. Isa 62:11.
  2. 21:5b Zech 9:9.
  3. 21:7 Greek over them, and he sat on them.
  4. 21:9a Greek Hosanna, an exclamation of praise that literally means “save now”; also in 21:9b, 15.
  5. 21:9b Pss 118:25-26; 148:1.
  6. 21:13 Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11.
  7. 21:16 Ps 8:2 (Greek version).
  8. 21:29-31 Other manuscripts read “The second.” In still other manuscripts the first son says “Yes” but does nothing, the second son says “No” but then repents and goes, and the answer to Jesus’ question is that the second son obeyed his father.
  9. 21:42 Ps 118:22-23.
  10. 21:44 This verse is not included in some early manuscripts. Compare Luke 20:18.
Close NASB

Matthew 21
New American Standard Bible

The Triumphal Entry

21 (A)When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at (B)the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them on immediately.” 4 Now (C)this [a]took place so that what was spoken through [b]the prophet would be fulfilled:

5 “(D)Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold your King is coming to you,
Humble, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, 7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their cloaks on them; and He sat on [c]the cloaks. 8 Most of the crowd (E)spread their cloaks on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. 9 Now the crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting,

“[d]Hosanna to the (F)Son of David;
(G)Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord;
[e]Hosanna (H)in the highest!”

10 When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is (I)Jesus the prophet, from (J)Nazareth in Galilee.”

Cleansing the Temple

12 (K)And Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the (L)money changers and the seats of those who were selling (M)doves. 13 And He *said to them, “It is written: ‘(N)My house will be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a (O)den of robbers.”

14 And those who were blind and those who limped came to Him in the temple area, and (P)He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple area, “[f]Hosanna to the (Q)Son of David,” they became indignant, 16 and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus *said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘(R)From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?” 17 And He left them and went out of the city to (S)Bethany, and spent the night there.

The Barren Fig Tree

18 (T)Now in the early morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. 19 And seeing a lone (U)fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves alone; and He *said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered.

20 Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and [g]asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?” 21 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, (V)if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And (W)whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive it all.”

Authority Challenged

23 (X)When He entered the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him (Y)while He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” 24 But Jesus responded and said to them, “I will also ask you one [h]question, which, if you tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John was from what source: from heaven or from men?” And they began considering the implications among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the [i]people; for they all regard John as (Z)a prophet.” 27 And answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” He also said to them, “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.

Parable of Two Sons

28 “But what do you think? A man had two [j]sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘[k]Son, go work today in the (AA)vineyard.’ 29 But he replied, ‘I do not want to.’ Yet afterward he regretted it and went. 30 And the man came to his second son and said the same thing; and he replied, ‘I will, sir’; and yet he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They *said, “The first.” Jesus *said to them, “Truly I say to you that (AB)the tax collectors and prostitutes [l]will get into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but (AC)the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even [m]have second thoughts afterward so as to believe him.

Parable of the Landowner

33 “Listen to another parable. (AD)There was a [n]landowner who (AE)planted a (AF)vineyard and put a [o]fence around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and he leased it to [p]vine-growers and (AG)went on a journey. 34 And when the [q]harvest time approached, he (AH)sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his fruit. 35 And the vine-growers took his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again, he (AI)sent other slaves, more than the first; and they did the same things to them. 37 But afterward he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let’s kill him and take possession of his inheritance!’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 Therefore, when the [r]owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?” 41 They *said to Him, “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and (AJ)lease the vineyard to other vine-growers, who will pay him the fruit in the proper seasons.”

42 Jesus *said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures,

‘(AK)A stone which the builders rejected,
This has become the [s]chief cornerstone;
This came about from the Lord,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?

43 Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a [t]people producing its fruit. 44 And (AL)the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and on whomever it falls, it will crush him.”

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them. 46 And although they sought to arrest Him, they (AM)feared the crowds, since they considered Him to be a (AN)prophet.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 21:4 Lit has happened
  2. Matthew 21:4 I.e., Zechariah
  3. Matthew 21:7 Lit them
  4. Matthew 21:9 Aramaic for Save, we pray
  5. Matthew 21:9 Aramaic for Save, we pray
  6. Matthew 21:15 Aramaic for Save, we pray
  7. Matthew 21:20 Lit said
  8. Matthew 21:24 Lit word
  9. Matthew 21:26 Lit crowd
  10. Matthew 21:28 Lit children
  11. Matthew 21:28 Lit Child
  12. Matthew 21:31 Lit are getting into
  13. Matthew 21:32 Or change your minds
  14. Matthew 21:33 Lit a man, head of a household
  15. Matthew 21:33 Or hedge
  16. Matthew 21:33 Or tenant farmers, also vv 34, 35, 38, 40
  17. Matthew 21:34 Lit the fruit season
  18. Matthew 21:40 Lit lord
  19. Matthew 21:42 Lit head of the corner
  20. Matthew 21:43 Lit nation
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Matthew 20
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