Read the Gospels in 40 Days
Jesus Tells of the House of God (A)
13 Jesus went out of the house of God. One of His followers said to Him, “Teacher, look at the big stones and these great buildings!” 2 Jesus said, “Do you see these great buildings? All these stones will be thrown down. Not one will be left standing on another.”
Jesus Teaches on the Mount Of Olives
3 Jesus sat down on the Mount of Olives at a place where He could see the house of God. Peter and James and John and Andrew came to Him. They asked without anyone else hearing, 4 “Tell us when this will be. What are we to look for when these things are to happen?”
What to Look for Before Jesus Returns
5 Jesus began to say to them, “Be careful that no one leads you the wrong way. 6 Many people will come using My name. They will say, ‘I am Christ.’ They will turn many to the wrong way. 7 When you hear of wars and much talk about wars, do not be surprised. These things have to happen. But the end is not yet. 8 Nations will have wars with other nations. Countries will fight against countries. The earth will shake and break apart in different places. There will be no food for people. There will be much trouble. These things are the beginning of much sorrow and pain.
It Will Be Hard for Those Who Believe
9 “Watch out for yourselves. They will take you to the courts. In the places of worship they will beat you. You will be taken in front of rulers and in front of kings because of Me. You will be there to tell them about Me. 10 The Good News must first be preached to all the nations.
11 “When you are put into their hands, do not be afraid of what you are to say or how you are to say it. Whatever is given to you to say at that time, say it. It will not be you who speaks, but the Holy Spirit. 12 A brother will hand over a brother to death. A father will hand over his son. Children will turn against their parents and have them put to death. 13 You will be hated by all people because of Me. But he who stays true to the end will be saved.
Days of Trouble and Pain and Sorrow
14 “You will see a very sinful man-made god standing in the house of God where it has no right to stand. Then those in the country of Judea should run to the mountains. It was spoken of by the early preacher Daniel. (B) The one who reads this should understand. 15 He that is on the top of the house should not take the time to get anything out of his house. 16 He that is in the field should not go back to get his coat. 17 It will be hard for women who will soon be mothers. It will be hard for those feeding babies in those days! 18 Pray that it will not be during the winter. 19 In those days there will be much trouble and pain and sorrow. It has never been this bad from the beginning of time and never will be again. 20 If the Lord had not made those days short, no life would have been saved. Because of God’s people whom He has chosen, He made the days short.
The False Religious Teachers
21 “If anyone says to you, ‘See! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There He is!’ do not believe it. 22 Some will come who will say they are Christ. False preachers will come. These people will do special things for people to see. They will do surprising things, so that if it can be, God’s people will be led to believe something wrong. 23 See! I have told you about these things before they happen.
Jesus Will Come Again in His Greatness
24 “After those days of much trouble and pain and sorrow are over, the sun will get dark. The moon will not give light. 25 The stars will fall from the sky. The powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and shining-greatness. 27 He will send His angels. They will gather together God’s people from the four winds. They will come from one end of the earth to the other end of heaven.
The Picture-Story of the Fig Tree
28 “Now learn something from the fig tree. When the branch begins to grow and puts out its leaves, you know summer is near. 29 In the same way, when you see all these things happen, you know the Son of Man is near. He is even at the door. 30 For sure, I tell you, the people of this day will not pass away before all these things have happened.
31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away. 32 But no one knows the day or the hour. No! Not even the angels in heaven know. The Son does not know. Only the Father knows.
33 “Be careful! Watch and pray. You do not know when it will happen. 34 The coming of the Son of Man is as a man who went from his house to a far country. He gave each one of his servants some work to do. He told the one standing at the door to watch. 35 In the same way, you are to watch also! You do not know when the Owner of the house will be coming. It may be in the evening or in the night or when the sun comes up or in the morning. 36 He may come when you are not looking for Him and find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to all. Watch!”
They Look for a Way to Put Jesus to Death (C)
14 It was now two days before the supper of the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt and the supper of bread without yeast. The religious leaders and the teachers of the Law tried to trap Jesus. They tried to take Him so they could put Him to death. 2 These men said, “This must not happen on the day of the special supper. The people would be against it and make much trouble.”
Mary of Bethany Puts Special Perfume on Jesus (D)
3 Jesus was in the town of Bethany eating in the house of Simon. Simon was a man with a very bad skin disease. A woman came with a jar of special perfume. She had given much money for this. She broke the jar and poured the special perfume on the head of Jesus. 4 Some of them were angry. They said, “Why was this special perfume wasted? 5 This perfume could have been sold for much money and given to poor people.” They spoke against her.
6 Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why are you giving her trouble? She has done a good thing to Me. 7 You will have poor people with you all the time. Whenever you want, you can do something good for them. You will not have Me all the time. 8 She did what she could. She put this perfume on My body to make Me ready for the grave. 9 For sure, I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in all the world, this woman will be remembered for what she has done.”
Judas Hands Jesus Over to Be Killed (E)
10 Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve followers. He went to the head religious leaders of the Jews to talk about how he might hand Jesus over to them. 11 When the leaders heard it, they were glad. They promised to give Judas money. Then he looked for a way to hand Jesus over.
Getting Ready for the Special Supper (F)
12 The first day of the supper of bread without yeast was the day to kill an animal. It was for the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. His followers said to Jesus, “What place do You want us to make ready for You to eat this special supper?” 13 Jesus sent two of His followers on ahead and said to them, “Go into the city. There a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 He will go into a house. You say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, “Where is the room you keep for friends, where I can eat this special supper with My followers?”’ 15 He will take you to a large room on the second floor with everything in it. Make it ready for us.”
16 The followers went from there and came into the city. They found everything as Jesus had said. They made things ready for the special supper.
17 In the evening He came with the twelve followers. 18 They sat at the table and ate. Jesus said, “For sure, I tell you, one of you will hand Me over to be killed. He is eating with Me.” 19 They were very sad. They said to Him one after the other, “Is it I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve followers. It is the one who is putting his hand with mine into the same dish. 21 The Son of Man is going away as it is written of Him. But it will be bad for that man who hands the Son of Man over to be killed! It would have been better if he had not been born!”
The First Lord’s Supper (G)
22 As they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread. He gave thanks and broke it in pieces. He gave it to them and said, “Take, eat, this is My body.” 23 Then He took the cup and gave thanks. He gave it to them and they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is My blood of the New Way of Worship which is given for many. 25 For sure, I tell you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the holy nation of God.” 26 After they sang a song, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus Tells How Peter Will Lie about Him (H)
27 Jesus said to them, “All of you will be ashamed of Me and leave Me tonight. For it is written, ‘I will kill the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will spread everywhere.’ (I) 28 After I am raised from the dead, I will go before you into the country of Galilee.” 29 Peter said to Him, “Even if all men are ashamed of You and leave You, I never will.” 30 Jesus said to him, “For sure, I tell you, that today, even tonight, before a rooster crows two times, you will say three times you do not know Me.” 31 Peter spoke with strong words, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never say that I do not know You.” All the followers said the same thing.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane (J)
32 They came to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to His followers, “You sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter and James and John with Him. He began to have much sorrow and a heavy heart. 34 He said to them, “My soul is very sad. My soul is so full of sorrow I am ready to die. You stay here and watch.” 35 He went a little farther and got down with His face on the ground. He prayed that this time of suffering might pass from Him if it could. 36 He said, “Father, You can do all things. Take away what must happen to Me. Even so, not what I want, but what You want.”
37 Then Jesus came to the followers and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Were you not able to watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not be tempted. Man’s spirit wants to do this, but the body does not have the power to do it.”
39 Again Jesus went away and prayed saying the same words. 40 He came back and found them sleeping again. Their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to Him. 41 He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! Listen, the time has come when the Son of Man will be handed over to sinners. 42 Get up and let us go. See! The man who will hand Me over to the head religious leader is near.”
Jesus Handed Over to Sinners (K)
43 At once, while Jesus was talking, Judas came. He was one of the twelve followers. He came with many other men who had swords and sticks. They came from the head religious leaders of the Jews and the teachers of the Law and the leaders of the people. 44 The man who was going to hand Jesus over gave the men something to look for. He said, “The Man I kiss is the One. Take hold of Him and take Him away.”
45 At once Judas went straight to Jesus and said, “Teacher!” and kissed Him. 46 Then they put their hands on Him and took Him.
47 One of the followers of Jesus who stood watching took his sword. He hit the servant owned by the head religious leader and cut off his ear. 48 Jesus said to them, “Have you come with swords and sticks to take Me as if I were a robber? 49 I have been with you every day teaching in the house of God. You never took hold of Me. But this has happened as the Holy Writings said it would happen.” 50 Then all His followers left Him and ran away.
51 A young man was following Him with only a piece of cloth around his body. They put their hands on the young man. 52 Leaving the cloth behind, he ran away with no clothes on.
Jesus Stands in Front of the Head Religious Leaders (L)
53 They led Jesus away to the head religious leader. All the religious leaders and other leaders and the teachers of the Law were gathered there. 54 But Peter followed a long way behind as they went to the house of the head religious leader. He sat with the helpers and got warm by the fire.
Jesus Stands in Front of the Court (M)
55 The religious leaders and all the court were looking for something against Jesus. They wanted to find something so they could kill Him. But they could find nothing. 56 Many came and told false things about Him, but their words did not agree. 57 Some got up and said false things against Him. They said, 58 “We have heard Him say, ‘I will destroy the house of God that was made with hands. In three days I will build another that is not made with hands.’” 59 Even these who spoke against Him were not able to agree.
60 The head religious leader stood up in front of the people. He asked Jesus, “Have You nothing to say? What about the things these men are saying against You?” 61 Jesus said nothing. Again the head religious leader asked Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Holy One?” 62 Jesus said, “I am! And you will see the Son of Man seated on the right side of the All-powerful God. You will see Him coming again in the clouds of the sky.”
63 Then the head religious leader tore his clothes apart. He said, “Do we need other people to speak against Him? 64 You have heard Him speak as if He were God! What do you think?” They all said He was guilty of death. 65 Some began to spit on Him. They covered Jesus’ face, and they hit Him. They said, “Tell us what is going to happen.” Soldiers hit Him with their hands.
Peter Said He Did Not Know Jesus (N)
66 Peter was outside in the yard. One of the servant-girls of the head religious leader came. 67 She saw Peter getting warm. She looked at him and said, “You were with Jesus of Nazareth.” 68 Peter lied, saying, “I do not know Jesus and do not understand what you are talking about.” As he went out, a rooster crowed.
69 The servant-girl saw him again. She said to the people standing around, “This man is one of them.” 70 He lied again saying that he did not know Jesus. Later, those who stood around said to Peter again, “For sure you are one of them. You are from the country of Galilee. You talk like they do.” 71 He began to say strong words and to swear. He said, “I do not know the Man you are talking about!”
72 At once a rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him, “Before a rooster crows two times, you will say three times you do not know Me.” When he thought about it, he cried.
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