Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Now the chief priests and the whole council (the Sanhedrin) sought to get false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death; But they found none, though many witnesses came forward [to testify]. At last two men came forward And testified, This Fellow said, I am able to tear down the sanctuary of the temple of God and to build it up again in three days. read more.
And the high priest stood up and said, Have You no answer to make? What about this that these men testify against You? But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, I call upon you to swear by the living God, and tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said to him, You have stated [the fact]. More than that, I tell you: You will in the future see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Almighty and coming on the clouds of the sky. Then the high priest tore his clothes and exclaimed, He has uttered blasphemy! What need have we of further evidence? You have now heard His blasphemy. What do you think now? They answered, He deserves to be put to death. Then they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists; and some slapped Him in the face, Saying, Prophesy to us, You Christ (the Messiah)! Who was it that struck You?

Now the chief priests and the entire council (the Sanhedrin) were constantly seeking [to get] testimony against Jesus with a view to condemning Him and putting Him to death, but they did not find any. For many were repeatedly bearing false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. And some stood up and were bearing false witness against Him, saying, read more.
We heard Him say, I will destroy this temple (sanctuary) which is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, made without hands. Still not even [in this] did their testimony agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, Have You not even one answer to make? What [about this which] these [men] are testifying against You? But He kept still and did not answer at all. Again the high priest asked Him, Are You the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I Am; and you will [all] see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power ( the Almighty) and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest tore his garments and said, What need have we for more witnesses? You have heard His blasphemy. What is your decision? And they all condemned Him as being guilty and deserving of death. And some of them began to spit on Him and to blindfold Him and to strike Him with their fists, saying to Him, Prophesy! And the guards received Him with blows and by slapping Him.

Now the men who had Jesus in custody treated Him with contempt and scoffed at and ridiculed Him and beat Him; They blindfolded Him also and asked Him, Prophesy! Who is it that struck You? And they said many other evil and slanderous and insulting words against Him, reviling Him. read more.
As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led Him into their council (the Sanhedrin), and they said, If You are the Christ (the Messiah), tell us. But He said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe (trust in, cleave to, and rely on what I say), And if I question you, you will not answer. But hereafter (from this time on), the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God. And they all said, You are the Son of God, then? And He said to them, It is just as you say; I Am. And they said, What further evidence do we need? For we have heard [it] ourselves from His own mouth!

Then the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching. Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue and in the temple [area], where the Jews [habitually] congregate (assemble); and I have spoken nothing secretly. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard [Me] what I said to them. See! They know what I said.


And they led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were gathered together. And Peter followed Him at a distance, even right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting [ in the firelight] with the guards and warming himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the entire council (the Sanhedrin) were constantly seeking [to get] testimony against Jesus with a view to condemning Him and putting Him to death, but they did not find any. read more.
For many were repeatedly bearing false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. And some stood up and were bearing false witness against Him, saying, We heard Him say, I will destroy this temple (sanctuary) which is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, made without hands. Still not even [in this] did their testimony agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, Have You not even one answer to make? What [about this which] these [men] are testifying against You? But He kept still and did not answer at all. Again the high priest asked Him, Are You the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I Am; and you will [all] see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power ( the Almighty) and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest tore his garments and said, What need have we for more witnesses? You have heard His blasphemy. What is your decision? And they all condemned Him as being guilty and deserving of death. And some of them began to spit on Him and to blindfold Him and to strike Him with their fists, saying to Him, Prophesy! And the guards received Him with blows and by slapping Him.

When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people held a consultation against Jesus to put Him to death; And they bound Him and led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.

Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, And said to them, You brought this Man before me as One Who was perverting and misleading and turning away and corrupting the people; and behold, after examining Him before you, I have not found any offense (crime or guilt) in this Man in regard to your accusations against Him; No, nor indeed did Herod, for he sent Him back to us; behold, He has done nothing deserving of death. read more.
I will therefore chastise Him and deliver Him amended (reformed, taught His lesson) and release Him. For it was necessary for him to release to them one prisoner at the Feast. But they all together raised a deep cry [from the depths of their throats], saying, Away with this Man! Release to us Barabbas! He was a man who had been thrown into prison for raising a riot in the city, and for murder. Once more Pilate called to them, wishing to release Jesus; But they kept shouting out, Crucify, crucify Him! A third time he said to them, Why? What wrong has He done? I have found [no offense or crime or guilt] in Him nothing deserving of death; I will therefore chastise Him [ in order to teach Him better] and release Him. But they were insistent and urgent, demanding with loud cries that He should be crucified. And their voices prevailed (accomplished their purpose). And Pilate gave sentence, that what they asked should be done.

But those who had seized Jesus took Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest's home; he even went inside and sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole council (the Sanhedrin) sought to get false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death; read more.
But they found none, though many witnesses came forward [to testify]. At last two men came forward And testified, This Fellow said, I am able to tear down the sanctuary of the temple of God and to build it up again in three days. And the high priest stood up and said, Have You no answer to make? What about this that these men testify against You? But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, I call upon you to swear by the living God, and tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said to him, You have stated [the fact]. More than that, I tell you: You will in the future see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Almighty and coming on the clouds of the sky. Then the high priest tore his clothes and exclaimed, He has uttered blasphemy! What need have we of further evidence? You have now heard His blasphemy. What do you think now? They answered, He deserves to be put to death. Then they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists; and some slapped Him in the face, Saying, Prophesy to us, You Christ (the Messiah)! Who was it that struck You?

Then they seized Him and led Him away, bringing Him into the house of the high priest. Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and were seated together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and gazing [intently] at him, said, This man too was with Him. read more.
But he denied it and said, Woman, I do not know Him! And a little later someone else saw him and said, You are one of them also. But Peter said, Man, I am not! And when about an hour more had elapsed, still another emphatically insisted, It is the truth that this man also was with Him, for he too is a Galilean! But Peter said, Man, I do not know what you are talking about. And instantly, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter recalled the Lord's words, how He had told him, Before the cock crows today, you will deny Me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly [that is, with painfully moving grief]. Now the men who had Jesus in custody treated Him with contempt and scoffed at and ridiculed Him and beat Him; They blindfolded Him also and asked Him, Prophesy! Who is it that struck You? And they said many other evil and slanderous and insulting words against Him, reviling Him. As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led Him into their council (the Sanhedrin), and they said, If You are the Christ (the Messiah), tell us. But He said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe (trust in, cleave to, and rely on what I say), And if I question you, you will not answer. But hereafter (from this time on), the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God. And they all said, You are the Son of God, then? And He said to them, It is just as you say; I Am. And they said, What further evidence do we need? For we have heard [it] ourselves from His own mouth!

Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and so he entered along with Jesus into the court of the palace of the high priest; But Peter was standing outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door and brought Peter inside. Then the maid who was in charge at the door said to Peter, You are not also one of the disciples of this Man, are you? He said, I am not! read more.
Now the servants and the guards (the attendants) had made a fire of coals, for it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. And Peter was with them, standing and warming himself. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching. Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue and in the temple [area], where the Jews [habitually] congregate (assemble); and I have spoken nothing secretly. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard [Me] what I said to them. See! They know what I said. But when He said this, one of the attendants who stood by struck Jesus, saying, Is that how You answer the high priest? Jesus replied, If I have said anything wrong [if I have spoken abusively, if there was evil in what I said] tell what was wrong with it. But if I spoke rightly and properly, why do you strike Me? Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. But Simon Peter [still] was standing and was warming himself. They said to him, You are not also one of His disciples, are you? He denied it and said, I am not! One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter cut off, said, Did I not see you in the garden with Him? And again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed. Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium (judgment hall, governor's palace). And it was early. They themselves did not enter the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled (become ceremonially unclean), but might be fit to eat the Passover [supper]. So Pilate went out to them and said, What accusation do you bring against this Man? They retorted, If He were not an evildoer (criminal), we would not have handed Him over to you. Pilate said to them, Take Him yourselves and judge and sentence and punish Him according to your [own] law. The Jews answered, It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death. This was to fulfill the word which Jesus had spoken to show (indicate, predict) by what manner of death He was to die.


As He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve [apostles], came up, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, The One I shall kiss is the Man; seize Him. And he came up to Jesus at once and said, Hail (greetings, good health to You, long life to You), Master! And he embraced Him and kissed Him with [pretended] warmth and devotion. read more.
Jesus said to him, Friend, for what are you here? Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword and, striking the body servant of the high priest, cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, Put your sword back into its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you suppose that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will immediately provide Me with more than twelve legions [ more than 80,000] of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must come about this way? At that moment Jesus said to the crowds, Have you come out with swords and clubs as [you would] against a robber to capture Me? Day after day I was accustomed to sit in the porches and courts of the temple teaching, and you did not arrest Me. But all this has taken place in order that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted Him and, fleeing, escaped. But those who had seized Jesus took Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest's home; he even went inside and sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole council (the Sanhedrin) sought to get false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death; But they found none, though many witnesses came forward [to testify]. At last two men came forward And testified, This Fellow said, I am able to tear down the sanctuary of the temple of God and to build it up again in three days. And the high priest stood up and said, Have You no answer to make? What about this that these men testify against You? But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, I call upon you to swear by the living God, and tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said to him, You have stated [the fact]. More than that, I tell you: You will in the future see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Almighty and coming on the clouds of the sky. Then the high priest tore his clothes and exclaimed, He has uttered blasphemy! What need have we of further evidence? You have now heard His blasphemy. What do you think now? They answered, He deserves to be put to death. Then they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists; and some slapped Him in the face, Saying, Prophesy to us, You Christ (the Messiah)! Who was it that struck You? Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and one maid came up to him and said, You were also with Jesus the Galilean! But he denied it falsely before them all, saying, I do not know what you mean. And when he had gone out to the porch, another maid saw him, and she said to the bystanders, This fellow was with Jesus the Nazarene! And again he denied it and disowned Him with an oath, saying, I do not know the Man! After a little while, the bystanders came up and said to Peter, You certainly are one of them too, for even your accent betrays you. Then Peter began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, I do not even know the Man! And at that moment a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered Jesus' words, when He had said, Before a single rooster crows, you will deny and disown Me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly.

And at once, while He was still speaking, Judas came, one of the Twelve [apostles], and with him a crowd of men with swords and clubs, [who came] from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders [of the Sanhedrin]. Now the betrayer had given them a signal, saying, The One I shall kiss is [the Man]; seize Him and lead [Him] away safely [so as to prevent His escape]. And when he came, he went up to Jesus immediately and said, Master! Master! and he embraced Him and kissed Him fervently. read more.
And they threw their hands on Him and arrested Him. But one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the bond servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus said to them, Have you come out with swords and clubs as [you would] against a robber to capture Me? I was with you daily in the temple [ porches and courts] teaching, and you did not seize Me; but [this has happened] that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. Then [His disciples], forsaking Him, fled, all [of them]. And a young man was following Him, with nothing but a linen cloth ( sheet) thrown about [his] naked [body]; and they laid hold of him, But, leaving behind the linen cloth ( sheet), he fled from them naked. And they led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were gathered together. And Peter followed Him at a distance, even right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting [ in the firelight] with the guards and warming himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the entire council (the Sanhedrin) were constantly seeking [to get] testimony against Jesus with a view to condemning Him and putting Him to death, but they did not find any. For many were repeatedly bearing false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. And some stood up and were bearing false witness against Him, saying, We heard Him say, I will destroy this temple (sanctuary) which is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, made without hands. Still not even [in this] did their testimony agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, Have You not even one answer to make? What [about this which] these [men] are testifying against You? But He kept still and did not answer at all. Again the high priest asked Him, Are You the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I Am; and you will [all] see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power ( the Almighty) and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest tore his garments and said, What need have we for more witnesses? You have heard His blasphemy. What is your decision? And they all condemned Him as being guilty and deserving of death. And some of them began to spit on Him and to blindfold Him and to strike Him with their fists, saying to Him, Prophesy! And the guards received Him with blows and by slapping Him. While Peter was down below in the courtyard, one of the [serving] maids of the high priest came; And when she saw Peter warming himself, she gazed intently at him and said, You were with Jesus of Nazareth too. But he denied it falsely and disowned Him, saying, I neither know nor understand what you say. Then he went outside [the courtyard and was] into the vestibule. And a cock crowed. And the maidservant saw him, and began again to say to the bystanders, This [man] is [one] of them. But again he denied it falsely and disowned Him. And after a short while, again the bystanders said to Peter, Really, you are one of them, for you are a Galilean and your dialect shows it. Then he commenced invoking a curse on himself [should he not be telling the truth] and swearing, I do not know the Man about Whom you are talking! And at once for the second time a cock crowed. And Peter remembered how Jesus said to him, Before a cock crows twice, you will utterly deny Me [disclaiming all connection with Me] three times. And having put his thought upon it [and remembering], he broke down and wept aloud and lamented.

And while He was still speaking, behold, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the Twelve [apostles], was going before [leading] them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss Him, But Jesus said to him, Judas! Would you betray and deliver up the Son of Man with a kiss? And when those who were around Him saw what was about to happen, they said, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? read more.
And one of them struck the bond servant of the high priest and cut off his ear, the right one. But Jesus said, Permit them to go so far [as to seize Me]. And He touched the little (insignificant) ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to those who had come out against Him -- "the chief priests and captains of the temple and elders [of the Sanhedrin] -- "Have you come out with swords and clubs as [you would] against a robber? When I was with you day after day in the temple [ enclosure], you did not stretch forth [your] hands against Me. But this is your hour -- "and the power [which] darkness [gives you has its way]. Then they seized Him and led Him away, bringing Him into the house of the high priest. Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and were seated together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and gazing [intently] at him, said, This man too was with Him. But he denied it and said, Woman, I do not know Him! And a little later someone else saw him and said, You are one of them also. But Peter said, Man, I am not! And when about an hour more had elapsed, still another emphatically insisted, It is the truth that this man also was with Him, for he too is a Galilean! But Peter said, Man, I do not know what you are talking about. And instantly, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter recalled the Lord's words, how He had told him, Before the cock crows today, you will deny Me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly [that is, with painfully moving grief]. Now the men who had Jesus in custody treated Him with contempt and scoffed at and ridiculed Him and beat Him; They blindfolded Him also and asked Him, Prophesy! Who is it that struck You? And they said many other evil and slanderous and insulting words against Him, reviling Him. As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led Him into their council (the Sanhedrin), and they said, If You are the Christ (the Messiah), tell us. But He said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe (trust in, cleave to, and rely on what I say), And if I question you, you will not answer. But hereafter (from this time on), the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God. And they all said, You are the Son of God, then? And He said to them, It is just as you say; I Am. And they said, What further evidence do we need? For we have heard [it] ourselves from His own mouth!

So Judas, obtaining and taking charge of the band of soldiers and some guards (attendants) of the high priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was about to befall Him, went out to them and said, Whom are you seeking? [Whom do you want?] They answered Him, Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus said to them, I am He. Judas, who was betraying Him, was also standing with them. read more.
When Jesus said to them, I am He, they went backwards (drew back, lurched backward) and fell to the ground. Then again He asked them, Whom are you seeking? And they said, Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus answered, I told you that I am He. So, if you want Me [if it is only I for Whom you are looking], let these men go their way. Thus what He had said was fulfilled and verified, Of those whom You have given Me, I have not lost even one. Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Therefore, Jesus said to Peter, Put the sword [back] into the sheath! The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it? So the troops and their captain and the guards (attendants) of the Jews seized Jesus and bound Him, And they brought Him first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was expedient and for their welfare that one man should die for (instead of, in behalf of) the people. Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and so he entered along with Jesus into the court of the palace of the high priest; But Peter was standing outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door and brought Peter inside. Then the maid who was in charge at the door said to Peter, You are not also one of the disciples of this Man, are you? He said, I am not! Now the servants and the guards (the attendants) had made a fire of coals, for it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. And Peter was with them, standing and warming himself. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching. Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue and in the temple [area], where the Jews [habitually] congregate (assemble); and I have spoken nothing secretly. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard [Me] what I said to them. See! They know what I said. But when He said this, one of the attendants who stood by struck Jesus, saying, Is that how You answer the high priest? Jesus replied, If I have said anything wrong [if I have spoken abusively, if there was evil in what I said] tell what was wrong with it. But if I spoke rightly and properly, why do you strike Me? Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. But Simon Peter [still] was standing and was warming himself. They said to him, You are not also one of His disciples, are you? He denied it and said, I am not! One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter cut off, said, Did I not see you in the garden with Him? And again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed. Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium (judgment hall, governor's palace). And it was early. They themselves did not enter the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled (become ceremonially unclean), but might be fit to eat the Passover [supper]. So Pilate went out to them and said, What accusation do you bring against this Man? They retorted, If He were not an evildoer (criminal), we would not have handed Him over to you. Pilate said to them, Take Him yourselves and judge and sentence and punish Him according to your [own] law. The Jews answered, It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death. This was to fulfill the word which Jesus had spoken to show (indicate, predict) by what manner of death He was to die. So Pilate went back again into the judgment hall and called Jesus and asked Him, Are You the King of the Jews? Jesus replied, Are you saying this of yourself [on your own initiative], or have others told you about Me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your [own] people and nation and their chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done? Jesus answered, My kingdom (kingship, royal power) belongs not to this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would have been fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here (this world); [it has no such origin or source]. Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice. Pilate said to Him, What is Truth? On saying this he went out to the Jews again and told them, I find no fault in Him. But it is your custom that I release one [prisoner] for you at the Passover. So shall I release for you the King of the Jews? Then they all shouted back again, Not Him [not this Man], but Barabbas! Now Barabbas was a robber.


Now in Iconium Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue together and spoke in such a way [with such power and boldness] that a large number of Jews as well as Greeks believed [and confidently accepted Jesus as Savior];

He said these things in a synagogue while He was teaching in Capernaum.

When Barnabas and Saul arrived at Salamis, they began to preach the word of God [proclaiming the message of eternal salvation through faith in Christ] in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John [Mark] as their assistant.

Then they arrived in Ephesus, and he left the others there; but he entered the synagogue and reasoned and debated with the Jews.

Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in a synagogue and in the temple [area], where all the Jews habitually congregate; and I said nothing in secret.


Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in a synagogue and in the temple [area], where all the Jews habitually congregate; and I said nothing in secret.

And they came again to Jerusalem. And when Jesus was walking about in the [ courts and porches of the] temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him, And they kept saying to Him, By what [sort of] authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do them? Jesus told them, I will ask you a question. Answer Me, and then I will tell you by what [sort of] authority I do these things. read more.
Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer Me. And they reasoned and argued with one another, If we say, From heaven, He will say, Why then did you not believe him? But [on the other hand] can we say, From men? For they were afraid of the people, because everybody considered and held John actually to be a prophet. So they replied to Jesus, We do not know. And Jesus said to them, Neither am I going to tell you what [sort of] authority I have for doing these things.

And as Jesus taught in [a porch or court of] the temple, He said, How can the scribes say that the Christ is David's Son? David himself, [inspired] in the Holy Spirit, declared, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies [a footstool] under Your feet. David himself calls Him Lord; so how can it be that He is his Son? Now the great mass of the people heard [Jesus] gladly [listening to Him with delight]. read more.
And in [the course of] His teaching, He said, Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and [to get] greetings in the marketplaces [public forums], And [have] the front seats in the synagogues and the chief couches (places of honor) at feasts, Who devour widows' houses and to cover it up make long prayers. They will receive the heavier [sentence of] condemnation. And He sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the crowd was casting money into the treasury. Many rich [people] were throwing in large sums. And a widow who was poverty-stricken came and put in two copper mites [the smallest of coins], which together make half of a cent. And He called His disciples [to Him] and said to them, Truly and surely I tell you, this widow, [she who is] poverty-stricken, has put in more than all those contributing to the treasury. For they all threw in out of their abundance; but she, out of her deep poverty, has put in everything that she had -- "[even] all she had on which to live.

Day after day I was with you, teaching in the [courts and porches of the] temple, and you did not seize Me; but this has happened so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.”

Afterward, when Jesus found him in the temple, He said to him, See, you are well! Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you. The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus Who had made him well. For this reason the Jews began to persecute (annoy, torment) Jesus and sought to kill Him, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. read more.
But Jesus answered them, My Father has worked [even] until now, [He has never ceased working; He is still working] and I, too, must be at [divine] work.

When the Feast was already half over, Jesus went up into the temple [ court] and began to teach. The Jews were astonished. They said, How is it that this Man has learning [is so versed in the sacred Scriptures and in theology] when He has never studied? Jesus answered them by saying, My teaching is not My own, but His Who sent Me. read more.
If any man desires to do His will (God's pleasure), he will know (have the needed illumination to recognize, and can tell for himself) whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking from Myself and of My own accord and on My own authority. He who speaks on his own authority seeks to win honor for himself. [He whose teaching originates with himself seeks his own glory.] But He Who seeks the glory and is eager for the honor of Him Who sent Him, He is true; and there is no unrighteousness or falsehood or deception in Him. Did not Moses give you the Law? And yet not one of you keeps the Law. [If that is the truth] why do you seek to kill Me [for not keeping it]? The crowd answered Him, You are possessed by a demon! [You are raving!] Who seeks to kill You? Jesus answered them, I did one work, and you all are astounded. Now Moses established circumcision among you -- "though it did not originate with Moses but with the previous patriarchs -- "and you circumcise a person [even] on the Sabbath day. If, to avoid breaking the Law of Moses, a person undergoes circumcision on the Sabbath day, have you any cause to be angry with (indignant with, bitter against) Me for making a man's whole body well on the Sabbath? Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously. Then some of the Jerusalem people said, Is not this the Man they seek to kill? And here He is speaking openly, and they say nothing to Him! Can it be possible that the rulers have discovered and know that this is truly the Christ? No, we know where this Man comes from; when the Christ arrives, no one is to know from what place He comes. Whereupon Jesus called out as He taught in the temple [ porches], Do you know Me, and do you know where I am from? I have not come on My own authority and of My own accord and as self-appointed, but the One Who sent Me is true (real, genuine, steadfast); and Him you do not know!

And Jesus was walking in Solomon's Porch in the temple area. So the Jews surrounded Him and began asking Him, How long are You going to keep us in doubt and suspense? If You are really the Christ (the Messiah), tell us so plainly and openly. Jesus answered them, I have told you so, yet you do not believe Me [you do not trust Me and rely on Me]. The very works that I do by the power of My Father and in My Father's name bear witness concerning Me [they are My credentials and evidence in support of Me]. read more.
But you do not believe and trust and rely on Me because you do not belong to My fold [you are no sheep of Mine]. The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are One. Again the Jews brought up stones to stone Him. Jesus said to them, My Father has enabled Me to do many good deeds. [I have shown many acts of mercy in your presence.] For which of these do you mean to stone Me? The Jews replied, We are not going to stone You for a good act, but for blasphemy, because You, a mere Man, make Yourself [out to be] God. Jesus answered, Is it not written in your Law, I said, You are gods? So men are called gods [by the Law], men to whom God's message came -- "and the Scripture cannot be set aside or cancelled or broken or annulled -- " [If that is true] do you say of the One Whom the Father consecrated and dedicated and set apart for Himself and sent into the world, You are blaspheming, because I said, I am the Son of God? If I am not doing the works [performing the deeds] of My Father, then do not believe Me [do not adhere to Me and trust Me and rely on Me]. But if I do them, even though you do not believe Me or have faith in Me, [at least] believe the works and have faith in what I do, in order that you may know and understand [clearly] that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father [One with Him].