Read the Gospels in 40 Days
A Poor Widow’s Offering
21 And he looked up and[a] saw the rich putting their gifts into the contribution box, 2 and he saw a certain poor widow putting in there two small copper coins.[b] 3 And he said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow put in more than all of them. 4 For these all put gifts[c] into the offering out of their abundance, but this woman out of her poverty put in all the means of subsistence that she had.”
The Destruction of the Temple Predicted
5 And while[d] some were speaking about the temple, that it was adorned with precious stones and votive offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see—days will come in which not one stone will be left on another stone that will not be thrown down!”
Signs of the End of the Age
7 And they asked him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, Watch out that you are not deceived! For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them! 9 And when you hear about wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end will not be at once.” 10 Then he said to them, “nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes and famines and plagues in various places. There will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.
Persecution of Disciples Predicted
12 “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you,[e] handing you[f] over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before[g] kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will turn out to you for a time of witness. 14 Therefore make up your minds[h] not to prepare in advance to speak in your own defense, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all your opponents will not be able to resist or contradict. 16 And you will be handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put to death some of you. 17 And you will be hated by all because of my name. 18 Even a hair of your head will never perish! 19 By your patient endurance you will gain your lives.
The Desolation of Jerusalem
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside it[i] must depart, and those in the fields must not enter into it, 22 because these are days of vengeance, so that all the things that are written can be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant[j] and to those who are nursing their babies[k] in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people, 24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations,[l] and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Arrival of the Son of Man
25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity from the noise of the sea and its surging, 26 people fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.[m] 27 And then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud[n] with power and great glory. 28 But when[o] these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!”
The Parable of the Fig Tree
29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they put out foliage,[p] now you see for yourselves and[q] know that by this time the summer is near. 31 So also you, when you see these things happening, know[r] that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I say to you that this generation will never pass away until all things take place! 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Be Alert
34 “But take care for yourselves, lest your hearts are weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of daily life, and that day come upon you suddenly 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who reside on the face of the whole earth. 36 But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37 So throughout the days he was teaching in the temple courts,[s] and throughout the nights he was going out and[t] spending the night on the hill that is called the Mount of Olives. 38 And all the people were getting up very early in the morning to come[u] to him in the temple courts[v] to listen to him.
The Chief Priests and Scribes Plot to Kill Jesus
22 Now the feast of Unleavened Bread (which is called Passover) was drawing near. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they could destroy him, because they were afraid of the people.
Judas Arranges to Betray Jesus
3 And Satan entered into Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went away and[w] discussed with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard how he could betray him to them. 5 And they were delighted, and came to an agreement with him to give him[x] money. 6 And he agreed, and began looking[y] for a favorable opportunity to betray him to them apart from the crowd.
Jesus’ Final Passover with the Disciples
7 And the day of the feast of Unleavened Bread came, on which it was necessary for the Passover lamb to be sacrificed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and[z] prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.[aa] 9 So they said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?”[ab] 10 And he said to them, “Behold, when[ac] you have entered into the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters. 11 And you will say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 12 And he will show you a large furnished[ad] upstairs room. Make preparations there.” 13 So they went and[ae] found everything[af] just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
The Lord’s Supper
14 And when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired[ag] to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you that I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took in hand a cup, and[ah] after[ai] giving thanks he said, “Take this and share it[aj] among yourselves. 18 For I tell you,[ak] from now on I will not drink of the product of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And he took bread, and[al] after[am] giving thanks, he broke it[an] and gave it[ao] to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And in the same way the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you.
21 “But behold, the hand of the one who is betraying me is with me on the table! 22 For the Son of Man is going according to what has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to debate with one another who then of them it could be who was going to do this.
A Dispute About Who Is Greatest
24 And a dispute also occurred among them as to which of them was recognized as being greatest. 25 So he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles[ap] lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like this! But the one who is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am in your midst as the one who serves.
28 “And you are the ones who have remained[aq] with me in my trials, 29 and I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred on me, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, when[ar] once you have turned back,[as] strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!” 34 And he said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know me!”
The Two Swords
35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out without a money bag and a traveler’s bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?”[at] And they said, “Nothing.” 36 And he said to them, “But now the one who has a money bag must take it,[au] and likewise a traveler’s bag. And the one who does not have a sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this that is written must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was counted with the criminals.’[av] For indeed, what is written[aw] about me is being fulfilled.”[ax] 38 So they said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords!” And he said to them, “It is adequate.”
The Prayer in Gethsemane
39 And he went away and[ay] proceeded, according to his[az] custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples also followed him. 40 And when[ba] he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw and knelt down[bb] and[bc] began to pray,[bd] 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, take away this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.” [[43 And an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. 44 And being in anguish, he began praying[be] more fervently and his sweat became like drops of blood falling down to the ground.]][bf] 45 And when he[bg] got up from the prayer and[bh] came to the disciples, he found them sleeping from sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and[bi] pray that you will not enter into temptation!”
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 While[bj] he was still speaking, behold, there came a crowd, and the one named Judas, one of the twelve, leading them. And he approached Jesus to kiss him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 And when[bk] those around him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50 And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and[bl] said, “Stop! No more of this!”[bm] And he touched his[bn] ear and[bo] healed him. 52 And Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come out against him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as against a robber? 53 Every day when[bp] I was with you in the temple courts,[bq] you did not stretch out your[br] hands against me! But this is your hour and the domain of darkness!”
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
54 And they arrested him and[bs] led him[bt] away and brought him[bu] into the house of the high priest. But Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they[bv] had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 And a certain female slave, seeing him sitting in the light and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him!” 57 But he denied it,[bw] saying, “Woman, I do not know him!” 58 And after a short time another person saw him and[bx] said, “You also are one of them!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 And after[by] about one hour had passed, someone else was insisting, saying, “In truth this man also was with him, because he is also a Galilean!” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” And immediately, while[bz] he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned around and[ca] looked intently at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord,[cb] how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went outside and[cc] wept bitterly.
63 And the men who were guarding him began to mock[cd] him while[ce] they beat him,[cf] 64 and after[cg] blindfolding him they repeatedly asked[ch] him,[ci] saying, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?” 65 And they were saying many other things against him, reviling him.[cj]
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
66 And when day came, the council of elders of the people gathered, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away to their Sanhedrin,[ck] 67 saying, “If you are the Christ, tell us!” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will never believe, 68 and if I ask you,[cl] you will never answer! 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you then the Son of God?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 And they said, “Why do we have need of further testimony? For we ourselves have heard it[cm] from his mouth!”
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