M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
John the Baptist sends his disciples to Christ, who gives them their answer. He rebukes the unthankful cities, and lovingly exhorts people to take his yoke upon them.
11 And when Jesus had made an end of instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and to preach in their towns.
2 When John, being in prison, heard about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and asked him, Are you he that was to come, or should we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said to them, Go and tell John what you have heard and seen: 5 the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise up again, and the glad tidings are preached to the poor. 6 And blessed is the person who is not offended by me.
7 And as they departed, Jesus began to speak to the people about John: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? Did you go to see a reed shaken with the wind? 8 Or what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written: Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way before you.
11 Truly I say to you, among the children of women none greater than John the Baptist has arisen. Notwithstanding, he who is less in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he.
12 From the time of John the Baptist to now, the kingdom of heaven is sorely pressed, and those who go to it with effort seize it for themselves. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied with a view to the time of John. 14 And also, if you will receive it, this is Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 But to what can I liken this generation? It is like children who sit in the market and call to their fellows, 17 and say, We have piped to you, and you have not danced; we have mourned to you, and you have not sorrowed. 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say he has the devil. 19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Here is a glutton and drinker of wine, and a friend of publicans and sinners! Nevertheless, wisdom is justified by her children.
20 Then Jesus began to upbraid the places in which most of his miracles had been done, because they did not turn: 21 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were shown in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you Capernaum, who are lifted up to heaven, shall be brought down to hell. For if the miracles which have been done in you had been shown in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I say to you, it will be easier for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.
25 At that time Jesus concluded and said, I praise you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and learned, and have revealed them to babes; 26 Even so, Father, for so it pleased you.
27 All things are given to me by my Father. And no one knows the Son but the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the person to whom the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Peter explains the reason why he went in to the heathen. Barnabas and Paul preach to the heathen. Agabus prophesies of the famine to come.
11 And the apostles and the brethren that were throughout Judea heard that the heathen had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!
4 Then Peter began and explained the matter in order to them, saying, 5 I was in the city of Joppa, praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descend, like a large linen cloth let down from heaven by the four corners; and it came to me. 6 When I looked into it, I considered and saw four-footed animals of the earth, and wild beasts and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, Arise, Peter; kill and eat. 8 And I said, God forbid, Lord, for nothing common or unclean has at any time entered into my mouth. 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven: Do not judge common those things that God has cleansed.
10 And this was done three times, and everything was taken up again into heaven.
11 And behold, immediately three men came to the house where I was, sent from Caesarea to me. 12 And the Spirit said to me that I should go with them, without doubting. Moreover, the six brethren accompanied me. And we entered into the man’s house. 13 And he described to us how he had seen an angel in his house, who stood and said to him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, named also Peter. 14 He will speak words to you whereby both you and all your house shall be saved.
15 And as I began to preach, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as he did on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the words of the Lord, how he said John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. 17 Inasmuch then as God gave them the same gift as he did to us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I should have withstood God?
18 When they heard this, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then God has granted repentance unto life to the Gentiles also.
19 Those who were scattered abroad through the affliction that arose about Stephen walked throughout till they came to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they came to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks and preached the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Reports of these things came to the ears of the congregation that was in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should continually cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed to Tarsus, to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came about that for a whole year they were with the congregation there, and taught many people. And the disciples of Antioch were the first that were called Christian.
27 In those days, prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them, named Agabus, stood up and signified by the Spirit that there would be great dearth throughout all the world, which came to pass in the days of the Emperor Claudius. 29 Then the disciples, everyone according to his ability, determined to send aid to the brethren who dwelt in Judea. 30 Which thing they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.