“It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife is to give her a certificate of divorce’;

You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.

“Also, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray [publicly] standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.

I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.”

From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples [clearly] that He must go to Jerusalem, and endure many things at the hands of the elders and the chief priests and scribes (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), and be killed, and be raised [from death to life] on the third day.

Peter took Him aside [to speak to Him privately] and began to reprimand Him, saying, “May God forbid it! This will never happen to You.”

The disciples asked Him, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth shall have [already] been loosed in heaven.

And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what [essentially] good thing shall I do to obtain eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?”

Jesus answered, “Why are you asking Me about what is [essentially] good? There is only One who is [essentially] good; but if you wish to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments.”

It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,

and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your [willing and humble] slave;

But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the [response of the] crowd; for they all regard John as a prophet.”

Do not let yourselves be called leaders or teachers; for One is your Leader (Teacher), the Christ.

You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age].

Therefore, you [who follow Me] must also be ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.

But they said, “It must not be during the festival (Passover), otherwise there might be a riot among the people.”

Peter said to Jesus, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And all the disciples said the same thing.

Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?”