The Temptation of Jesus^(A)

4 Then the Spirit led Yeshua into the desert to be tempted by the devil. ² Yeshua did not eat anything for 40 days and 40 nights. At the end of that time, he was hungry.

³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

⁴ Yeshua answered, “Scripture says, ‘A person cannot live on bread alone but on every word that God speaks.’”

⁵ Then the devil took him into the holy city and had him stand on the highest part of the temple. ⁶ He said to Yeshua, “If you are the Son of God, jump! Scripture says, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you. They will carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.’”

⁷ Yeshua said to him, “Again, Scripture says, ‘Never tempt the Lord your God.’”^[a]

⁸ Once more the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms in the world and their glory. ⁹ The devil said to him, “I will give you all this if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰ Yeshua said to him, “Go away, Satan! Scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came to take care of him.

³³ He amazed the crowds who heard his teaching.

Love God and Your Neighbor^(A)

³⁴ When the Pharisees heard that Yeshua had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. ³⁵ One of them, an expert in Moses’ Teachings, tested Yeshua by asking, ³⁶ “Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in Moses’ Teachings?”

³⁷ Yeshua answered him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the greatest and most important commandment. ³⁹ The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All of Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

³¹ So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. ³² Go ahead, finish what your ancestors started!

³³ “You snakes! You poisonous snakes! How can you escape being condemned to hell? ³⁴ I’m sending you prophets, wise men, and teachers of the Scriptures. You will kill and crucify some of them. Others you will whip in your synagogues and persecute from city to city. ³⁵ As a result, you will be held accountable for all the innocent blood of those murdered on earth, from the murder of righteous Abel to that of Zechariah, son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. ³⁶ I can guarantee this truth: The people living now will be held accountable for all these things.

³⁷ “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets and stone to death those sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings! But you were not willing! ³⁸ Your house will be abandoned, deserted. ³⁹ I can guarantee that you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

A Story about a Vineyard^(A)

12 Then, using this illustration, Yeshua spoke to them. He said, “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, made a vat for the winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to vineyard workers and went on a trip.

² “At the right time he sent a servant to the workers to collect from them a share of the grapes from the vineyard. ³ The workers took the servant, beat him, and sent him back with nothing. ⁴ So the man sent another servant to them. They hit the servant on the head and treated him shamefully. ⁵ The man sent another, and they killed that servant. Then he sent many other servants. Some of these they beat, and others they killed.

⁶ “He had one more person to send. That person was his son, whom he loved. Finally, he sent his son to them. He thought, ‘They will respect my son.’

⁷ “But those workers said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ ⁸ So they took him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

⁹ “What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the workers and give the vineyard to others. ¹⁰ Have you never read the Scripture passage:

¹² They wanted to arrest him but were afraid of the crowd. They knew that he had directed this illustration at them. So they left him alone and went away.

A Question about Taxes^(B)

¹³ The leaders sent some of the Pharisees and some of Herod’s followers to Yeshua. They wanted to trap him into saying the wrong thing. ¹⁴ When they came to him, they said, “Teacher, we know that you tell the truth. You don’t favor individuals because of who they are. Rather, you teach the way of God truthfully. Is it right to pay taxes to the emperor or not? Should we pay taxes or not?”

¹⁵ Yeshua recognized their hypocrisy, so he asked them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a coin so that I can look at it.”

¹⁶ They brought a coin. He said to them, “Whose face and name is this?”

They told him, “The emperor’s.”

¹⁷ Yeshua said to them, “Give the emperor what belongs to the emperor, and give God what belongs to God.”

They were surprised at his reply.

The Dead Come Back to Life^(C)

¹⁸ Some Sadducees, who say that people will never come back to life, came to Yeshua. They asked him, ¹⁹ “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, ‘If a man dies and leaves a wife but no child, his brother should marry his widow and have children for his brother.’ ²⁰ There were seven brothers. The first got married and died without having children. ²¹ The second married her and died without having children. So did the third. ²² None of the seven brothers had any children. Last of all, the woman died. ²³ When the dead come back to life, whose wife will she be? The seven brothers had married her.”

²⁴ Yeshua said to them, “Aren’t you mistaken because you don’t know the Scriptures or God’s power? ²⁵ When the dead come back to life, they don’t marry. Rather, they are like the angels in heaven. ²⁶ Haven’t you read in the book of Moses that the dead come back to life? It’s in the passage about the bush, where God said, ‘I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ ²⁷ He’s not the God of the dead but of the living. You’re badly mistaken!”

Love God and Your Neighbor^(D)

²⁸ One of the experts in Moses’ Teachings went to Yeshua during the argument with the Sadducees. He saw how well Yeshua answered them, so he asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of them all?”

²⁹ Yeshua answered, “The most important is, ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. ³⁰ So love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

³² The expert in Moses’ Teachings said to Yeshua, “Teacher, that was well said! You’ve told the truth that there is only one God and no other besides him! ³³ To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself is more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

³⁴ When Yeshua heard how wisely the man answered, he told the man, “You’re not too far from the kingdom of God.”

After that, no one dared to ask him another question.

How Can David’s Son Be David’s Lord?^(E)

³⁵ While Yeshua was teaching in the temple courtyard, he asked, “How can the experts in Moses’ Teachings say that the Messiah is David’s son? ³⁶ David, guided by the Holy Spirit, said,

³⁷ David calls him Lord. So how can he be his son?”

Jesus Disapproves of the Example Set by the Experts in Moses’ Teachings^(F)

The large crowd enjoyed listening to him. ³⁸ As he taught, he said, “Watch out for the experts in Moses’ Teachings! They like to walk around in long robes, to be greeted in the marketplaces, ³⁹ and to have the front seats in synagogues and the places of honor at dinners. ⁴⁰ They rob widows by taking their houses and then say long prayers to make themselves look good. The experts in Moses’ Teachings will receive the most severe punishment.”

A Widow’s Contribution^(G)

⁴¹ As Yeshua sat facing the temple offering box, he watched how much money people put into it. Many rich people put in large amounts. ⁴² A poor widow dropped in two small coins, worth less than a cent.

⁴³ He called his disciples and said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: This poor widow has given more than all the others. ⁴⁴ All of them have given what they could spare. But she, in her poverty, has given everything she had to live on.”

A Story about a Good Samaritan

²⁵ Then an expert in Moses’ Teachings stood up to test Yeshua. He asked, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

²⁶ Yeshua answered him, “What is written in Moses’ Teachings? What do you read there?”

²⁷ He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.’”

²⁸ Yeshua told him, “You’re right! Do this, and life will be yours.”

²⁹ But the man wanted to justify his question. So he asked Yeshua, “Who is my neighbor?”

³⁰ Yeshua replied, “A man went from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way robbers stripped him, beat him, and left him for dead.

³¹ “By chance, a priest was traveling along that road. When he saw the man, he went around him and continued on his way. ³² Then a Levite came to that place. When he saw the man, he, too, went around him and continued on his way.

³³ “But a Samaritan, as he was traveling along, came across the man. When the Samaritan saw him, he felt sorry for the man, ³⁴ went to him, and cleaned and bandaged his wounds. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day the Samaritan took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. He told the innkeeper, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than that, I’ll pay you on my return trip.’

³⁶ “Of these three men, who do you think was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by robbers?”

³⁷ The expert said, “The one who was kind enough to help him.”

Yeshua told him, “Go and imitate his example!”

¹³ The disciples left. They found everything as Yeshua had told them and prepared the Passover.

¹⁴ When it was time to eat the Passover meal, Yeshua and the apostles were at the table. ¹⁵ Yeshua said to them, “I’ve had a deep desire to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ I can guarantee that I won’t eat it again until it finds its fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” ¹⁷ Then he took a cup and spoke a prayer of thanksgiving. He said, “Take this, and share it. ¹⁸ I can guarantee that from now on I won’t drink this wine until the kingdom of God comes.”

The Lord’s Supper^(A)

¹⁹ Then Yeshua took bread and spoke a prayer of thanksgiving. He broke the bread, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given up for you. Do this to remember me.”

²⁰ When supper was over, he did the same with the cup. He said, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new promise^[a] made with my blood.”

Jesus Knows Who Will Betray Him^(B)

²¹ “The hand of the one who will betray me is with me on the table. ²² The Son of Man is going to die the way it has been planned for him. But how horrible it will be for that person who betrays him.”

²³ So they began to discuss with each other who could do such a thing.

An Argument about Greatness

²⁴ Then a quarrel broke out among the disciples. They argued about who should be considered the greatest.

²⁵ Yeshua said to them, “The kings of nations have power over their people, and those in authority call themselves friends of the people. ²⁶ But you’re not going to be that way! Rather, the greatest among you must be like the youngest, and your leader must be like a servant. ²⁷ Who’s the greatest, the person who sits at the table or the servant? Isn’t it really the person who sits at the table? But I’m among you as a servant.

²⁸ “You have stood by me in the troubles that have tested me. ²⁹ So as my Father has given me a kingdom, I’m giving it to you. ³⁰ You will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. You will also sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial^(C)

³¹ Then the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to have you apostles for himself. He wants to separate you from me as a farmer separates wheat from husks. ³² But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. So when you recover, strengthen the other disciples.”

³³ But Peter said to him, “Lord, I’m ready to go to prison with you and to die with you.”

³⁴ Yeshua replied, “Peter, I can guarantee that the rooster won’t crow tonight until you say three times that you don’t know me.”

³⁵ Then Yeshua said to them, “When I sent you out without a wallet, traveling bag, or sandals, you didn’t lack anything, did you?”

“Not a thing!” they answered.

³⁶ Then he said to them, “But now, the person who has a wallet and a traveling bag should take them along. The person who doesn’t have a sword should sell his coat and buy one. ³⁷ I can guarantee that the Scripture passage which says, ‘He was counted with criminals,’ must find its fulfillment in me. Indeed, whatever is written about me will come true.”

³⁸ The disciples said, “Lord, look! Here are two swords!”

Then Yeshua said to them, “That’s enough!”

Paul and Barnabas Go to Antioch Near Pisidia

¹³ Paul and his men took a ship from Paphos and arrived in Perga, a city in Pamphylia. John Mark deserted them there and went back to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ Paul and Barnabas left Perga and arrived in Antioch, a city near Pisidia. On the day of worship they went into the synagogue and sat down.

¹⁵ After reading from Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent a message to Paul and Barnabas. The message said, “Brothers, if you have any words of encouragement for the people, feel free to speak.”

¹⁶ Then Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Men of Israel and converts to Judaism, listen to me. ¹⁷ The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors and made them a strong nation while they lived as foreigners in Egypt. He used his powerful arm to bring them out of Egypt, ¹⁸ and he put up with them for about forty years in the desert. ¹⁹ Then he destroyed seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as an inheritance. ²⁰ He did all this in about four hundred and fifty years.

“After that he gave his people judges until the time of the prophet Samuel.

²¹ “Then the people demanded a king, so God gave them Saul, son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. After forty years ²² God removed Saul and made David their king. God spoke favorably about David. He said, ‘I have found that David, son of Jesse, is a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’

²³ “God had the Savior, Yeshua, come to Israel from David’s descendants, as he had promised. ²⁴ Before Yeshua began his ministry, John the Baptizer told everyone in Israel about the baptism of repentance.^{[a] 25} When John was finishing his work, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I’m not the person you’re looking for. He will come later. I’m not even good enough to untie his sandals.’

²⁶ “Brothers—descendants of Abraham and converts to Judaism—the message that God saves people was sent to us. ²⁷ The people who live in Jerusalem and their rulers didn’t know who Yeshua was. They didn’t understand the prophets’ messages, which are read every day of worship. So they condemned Yeshua and fulfilled what the prophets had said. ²⁸ Although they couldn’t find any good reason to kill him, they asked Pilate to have him executed. ²⁹ When they had finished doing everything that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb. ³⁰ But God brought him back to life, ³¹ and for many days he appeared to those who had come with him to Jerusalem from Galilee. These people are now witnesses and are testifying to the Jewish people about him. ³² We are telling you the Good News: What God promised our ancestors has happened. ³³ God has fulfilled the promise for us, their descendants, by bringing Yeshua back to life. This is what Scripture says in the second psalm:

³⁴ “God stated that he brought Yeshua back to life and that Yeshua’s body never decayed. He said, ‘I will give you the enduring love promised to David.’ ³⁵ Another psalm says, ‘You will not allow your holy one to decay.’ ³⁶ After doing God’s will by serving the people of his time, David died. He was laid to rest with his ancestors, but his body decayed. ³⁷ However, the man God brought back to life had a body that didn’t decay.

³⁸ “So, brothers, I’m telling you that through Yeshua your sins can be forgiven. Sins kept you from receiving God’s approval through Moses’ Teachings. ³⁹ However, everyone who believes in Yeshua receives God’s approval.

⁴⁰ “Be careful, or what the prophets said may happen to you.

⁴² As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak on the same subject the next day of worship. ⁴³ When the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas. Paul and Barnabas talked with them and were persuading them to continue trusting God’s good will.^[b]

²⁷ So, do we have anything to brag about? Bragging has been eliminated. On what basis was it eliminated? On the basis of our own efforts? No, indeed! Rather, it is eliminated on the basis of faith. ²⁸ We conclude that a person has God’s approval by faith, not by his own efforts.

²⁹ Is God only the God of the Jews? Isn’t he also the God of people who are not Jewish? Certainly, he is, ³⁰ since it is the same God who approves circumcised people by faith and uncircumcised people through this same faith.

³¹ Are we abolishing the laws in the Scriptures by this faith? That’s unthinkable! Rather, we are supporting these laws.

2 First of all, I encourage you to make petitions, prayers, intercessions, and prayers of thanks for all people, ² for rulers, and for everyone who has authority over us. Pray for these people so that we can have a quiet and peaceful life always lived in a godly and reverent way. ³ This is good and pleases God our Savior. ⁴ He wants all people to be saved and to learn the truth. ⁵ There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and humans—a human, Christ Yeshua. ⁶ He sacrificed himself for all people to free them from their sins.

This message is valid for every era.