Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Jesus Christ » Parables of » The lost sheep
And he spoke this parable to them, saying, What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave behind the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go for that which was lost until he finds it? And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. read more.
And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance.
And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance.
What does it seem to you? If it happens a hundred sheep are with some man, and one of them went astray, after going (having left the ninety-nine on the mountains), does he not seek the one going astray? And if he happens to find it, truly I say to you, that he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. So, it is not a purpose before your Father in the heavens, that one of these little ones should perish.
Losing and things lost » The lord seeking and saving that which was lost
Hear the word of LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd does his flock.
For thus says lord LORD: Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock, in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so I will seek out my sheep, and I will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the read more.
I will feed them with good pasture, and their fold shall be upon the mountains of the height of Israel. There they shall lay down in a good fold, and on fat pasture they shall feed upon the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lay down, says lord LORD. I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick, but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will feed them in justic
I will feed them with good pasture, and their fold shall be upon the mountains of the height of Israel. There they shall lay down in a good fold, and on fat pasture they shall feed upon the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lay down, says lord LORD. I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick, but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will feed them in justic
For the Son of man came to save that which was lost. What does it seem to you? If it happens a hundred sheep are with some man, and one of them went astray, after going (having left the ninety-nine on the mountains), does he not seek the one going astray? And if he happens to find it, truly I say to you, that he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. read more.
So, it is not a purpose before your Father in the heavens, that one of these little ones should perish.
So, it is not a purpose before your Father in the heavens, that one of these little ones should perish.
And he spoke this parable to them, saying, What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave behind the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go for that which was lost until he finds it? And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. read more.
And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance. Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she lose one drachma, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her lady friends and lady neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, because I found the drachma that I lost. Thus I say to you, there becomes joy in the presence of the agents of God over one sinner who repents. And he said, A certain man had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided to them his living. And not many days after, the younger son, having gathered all together, journeyed into a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth living recklessly. And when he spent all, a mighty famine developed in that country, and he began to be in want. And having gone, he was joined to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he longed to fill his belly from the husks that the swine ate, and no man gave to him. But when he came to himself, he said, How many hired men of my father's have abundance of loaves, but I am perishing with hunger. After rising, I will go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight. I am no more worthy to be called thy son. Make me as one of thy hired men. And having risen, he went to his father. But while he was still distant, afar off, his father saw him and felt compassion. And having ran, he fell on his neck, and kissed him much. And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight. I am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his bondmen, Bring forth the best robe and clothe him, and give a ring for his hand, and shoes for his feet. And having brought the fatted calf, kill it, and having eaten, we will be cheerful, because this my son was dead, and became alive again. And he was lost, and is found. And they began to be cheerful. But his elder son was in a field. And while coming, having approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And having summoned one of the boys, and inquired what these things might be. And he said to him, Thy brother arrived, and thy father has killed the fatted calf, because he received him back healthy. But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore, his father having come out, he called him. But having answered, he said to his father, Lo, so many years do I serve thee, and I never passed by a commandment of thine, and yet thou never gave me a goat that I might be merry with my friends. But when this thy son came, who has devoured thy living with harlots, thou killed for him the fatted calf. And he said to him, Child, thou are always with me, and all my things are yours. But it was needful to make merry and be glad, because this thy brother was dead, and became alive again, and was lost, and was found.
And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance. Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she lose one drachma, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her lady friends and lady neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, because I found the drachma that I lost. Thus I say to you, there becomes joy in the presence of the agents of God over one sinner who repents. And he said, A certain man had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided to them his living. And not many days after, the younger son, having gathered all together, journeyed into a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth living recklessly. And when he spent all, a mighty famine developed in that country, and he began to be in want. And having gone, he was joined to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he longed to fill his belly from the husks that the swine ate, and no man gave to him. But when he came to himself, he said, How many hired men of my father's have abundance of loaves, but I am perishing with hunger. After rising, I will go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight. I am no more worthy to be called thy son. Make me as one of thy hired men. And having risen, he went to his father. But while he was still distant, afar off, his father saw him and felt compassion. And having ran, he fell on his neck, and kissed him much. And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight. I am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his bondmen, Bring forth the best robe and clothe him, and give a ring for his hand, and shoes for his feet. And having brought the fatted calf, kill it, and having eaten, we will be cheerful, because this my son was dead, and became alive again. And he was lost, and is found. And they began to be cheerful. But his elder son was in a field. And while coming, having approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And having summoned one of the boys, and inquired what these things might be. And he said to him, Thy brother arrived, and thy father has killed the fatted calf, because he received him back healthy. But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore, his father having come out, he called him. But having answered, he said to his father, Lo, so many years do I serve thee, and I never passed by a commandment of thine, and yet thou never gave me a goat that I might be merry with my friends. But when this thy son came, who has devoured thy living with harlots, thou killed for him the fatted calf. And he said to him, Child, thou are always with me, and all my things are yours. But it was needful to make merry and be glad, because this thy brother was dead, and became alive again, and was lost, and was found.
And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
Parables » Parables of Christ » Lost sheep
And he spoke this parable to them, saying, What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave behind the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go for that which was lost until he finds it? And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. read more.
And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance.
And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance.
Pharisees » Hypocrisy of, reproved » By jesus
During which time the myriads of the multitude having gathered together so as to trample each other, he began first to say to his disciples, Take heed to yourselves from the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
And when ye fast, become not like the gloomy looking hypocrites, for they make their faces unsightly, so that they may appear fasting to men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But when thou fast, anoint thy head, and wash thy face, so that thou may not appear fasting to men, but to thy Father in secret. And thy Father, who sees in secret, will reward thee.
Hear ye another parable. There was a certain man who was a house-ruler, who planted a vineyard, and placed a hedge around it, and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower, and leased it to farmers, and went on a journey. And when the time of the fruits approached, he sent his bondmen to the farmers to receive his fruits. And the farmers having taken his bondmen, they beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. read more.
Again, he sent other bondmen more than the first, and they did to them in like manner. But finally he sent to them his son, saying, They will be made ashamed by my son. But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir, come, let us kill him, and possess his inheritance. And having seized him, they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers? They say to him, Evil men, he will miserably destroy them, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers, who will render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus says to them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone that those who build rejected, this came to be in the head of the corner. This happened from Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Because of this I say to you, that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation producing the fruits of it. And he who falls on this stone will be shattered, but on whomever it may fall, it will grind him to dust. And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he spoke about them. And when they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they held him as a prophet.
Again, he sent other bondmen more than the first, and they did to them in like manner. But finally he sent to them his son, saying, They will be made ashamed by my son. But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir, come, let us kill him, and possess his inheritance. And having seized him, they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers? They say to him, Evil men, he will miserably destroy them, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers, who will render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus says to them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone that those who build rejected, this came to be in the head of the corner. This happened from Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Because of this I say to you, that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation producing the fruits of it. And he who falls on this stone will be shattered, but on whomever it may fall, it will grind him to dust. And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he spoke about them. And when they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they held him as a prophet.
When therefore thou do charity, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may have glory by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But when thou do charity, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand does, so that thy charity may be in secret. And thy Father who sees in secret will himself reward thee in the open. read more.
And when thou pray, thou shall not be as the hypocrites, because they love to pray having stood in the synagogues and in the corners of the thoroughfares, so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou pray, enter into thy private room, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father in secret, and thy Father who sees in secret will reward thee in the open. And while praying do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they will be heard by their much speaking. Be not therefore like them, for your Father knows what things ye have need of before ye ask him.
And when thou pray, thou shall not be as the hypocrites, because they love to pray having stood in the synagogues and in the corners of the thoroughfares, so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou pray, enter into thy private room, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father in secret, and thy Father who sees in secret will reward thee in the open. And while praying do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they will be heard by their much speaking. Be not therefore like them, for your Father knows what things ye have need of before ye ask him.
Then scholars and Pharisees from Jerusalem come to Jesus, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread. And having answered, he said to them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God, because of your tradition? read more.
For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and thy mother, and, He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him perish in death. But ye say, Whoever may say to the father or the mother, Whatever thou might have benefited from me is an offering. And he will, no, not honor his father or mother. And ye have annulled the command of God because of your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying, This people comes near me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips, but their heart is far distant from me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and thy mother, and, He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him perish in death. But ye say, Whoever may say to the father or the mother, Whatever thou might have benefited from me is an offering. And he will, no, not honor his father or mother. And ye have annulled the command of God because of your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying, This people comes near me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips, but their heart is far distant from me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
And the Pharisees and Sadducees who came, testing, demanded him to exhibit to them a sign from the sky. But having answered, he said to them, When it becomes evening, ye say, Fair weather, for the sky is red. And at morning, Bad weather today, for the sky is red, being gloomy. Hypocrites! Ye indeed know how to discern the face of the sky, but the signs of the times ye are not able. read more.
An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet. And having left them behind, he departed. And his disciples having come to the other side, they forgot to take loaves. And Jesus said to them, Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. And they deliberated among themselves, saying, We took no loaves. And having known it, Jesus said to them, O ye of little faith, why do ye deliberate among yourselves because ye brought no loaves? Do ye not yet understand, nor remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up, nor the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many hampers ye took up? How do ye not understand that I spoke to you not about bread, to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees? Then they understood that he said not to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet. And having left them behind, he departed. And his disciples having come to the other side, they forgot to take loaves. And Jesus said to them, Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. And they deliberated among themselves, saying, We took no loaves. And having known it, Jesus said to them, O ye of little faith, why do ye deliberate among yourselves because ye brought no loaves? Do ye not yet understand, nor remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up, nor the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many hampers ye took up? How do ye not understand that I spoke to you not about bread, to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees? Then they understood that he said not to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
The scholars and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat. All things therefore, however many they may tell you to observe, observe and do, but do not ye according to their works, for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and difficult to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders, but they do not want to move them with their finger. read more.
But all their works they do in order to be seen by men. And they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the hems of their garments. And they love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces, and to be designated by men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be ye not designated Rabbi, for one is your leader, the Christ, and ye are all brothers. And do not designate a father of you upon the earth, for one is your Father, he in the heavens. And be ye not designated leaders, for one is your leader, the Christ. But the greater of you will be your helper. And he who will exalt himself will be made low, and he who will make himself low will be exalted. Woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye close up the kingdom of the heavens ahead of men. For ye enter not in, nor do ye allow those who are entering to enter in. But woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye devour widows' houses, and praying long in pretence. Because of this ye will receive greater condemnation. Woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye encompass the sea and the land to make one proselyte, and when it happens, ye make him twice more a son of hell than yourselves. Woe to you, ye blind guides, who say, Whoever may swear by the temple, it is nothing, but whoever may swear by the gold of the temple, he is obligated. Ye foolish and blind men, for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? And, Whoever may swear by the altar, it is nothing, but whoever may swear by the gift upon it, he is obligated. Ye foolish and blind men, for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it, and by all things on it. And he who swears by the temple, swears by it, and by him who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits upon it. Woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye tithe the mint and the anise and the cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law--justice and mercy and faith. These things must be done, and not neglecting t Ye blind guides, who strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel. Woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but inside they are full of plunder and unrighteousness. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, so that the outside of them may also become clean. Woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. In this way also, ye indeed outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside ye are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and adorn the sepulchers of the righteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. So then ye testify to yourselves that ye are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Then fill ye up the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how will ye escape from the damnation of hell?
But all their works they do in order to be seen by men. And they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the hems of their garments. And they love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces, and to be designated by men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be ye not designated Rabbi, for one is your leader, the Christ, and ye are all brothers. And do not designate a father of you upon the earth, for one is your Father, he in the heavens. And be ye not designated leaders, for one is your leader, the Christ. But the greater of you will be your helper. And he who will exalt himself will be made low, and he who will make himself low will be exalted. Woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye close up the kingdom of the heavens ahead of men. For ye enter not in, nor do ye allow those who are entering to enter in. But woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye devour widows' houses, and praying long in pretence. Because of this ye will receive greater condemnation. Woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye encompass the sea and the land to make one proselyte, and when it happens, ye make him twice more a son of hell than yourselves. Woe to you, ye blind guides, who say, Whoever may swear by the temple, it is nothing, but whoever may swear by the gold of the temple, he is obligated. Ye foolish and blind men, for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? And, Whoever may swear by the altar, it is nothing, but whoever may swear by the gift upon it, he is obligated. Ye foolish and blind men, for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it, and by all things on it. And he who swears by the temple, swears by it, and by him who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits upon it. Woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye tithe the mint and the anise and the cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law--justice and mercy and faith. These things must be done, and not neglecting t Ye blind guides, who strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel. Woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but inside they are full of plunder and unrighteousness. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, so that the outside of them may also become clean. Woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. In this way also, ye indeed outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside ye are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Woe to you, scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and adorn the sepulchers of the righteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. So then ye testify to yourselves that ye are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Then fill ye up the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how will ye escape from the damnation of hell?
And he was casting out a demon, and it was mute. And it happened when the demon was gone out, the mute man spoke. And the multitudes marveled, but some of them said, He casts out the demons by Beelzebub, ruler of the demons. And others, challenging, sought from him a sign from the sky. read more.
But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, Every kingdom that was divided against itself is made desolate, and a house against a house falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom be made to stand? Because ye say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebub. And if I cast out the demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Because of this they will be your judges. But if by a finger of God I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When the fully armed strong man guards his palace, the things possessed by him are in peace, but when a stronger than he comes, after defeating him, he takes away his full armor in which he trusted, and divides his booty. He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. When the unclean spirit departs out of the man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest. And not finding, it says, I will return to my house from where I came out. And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes, and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and having enter in, it dwells there. And the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman, having lifted up her voice out of the crowd, said to him, Blessed is the belly that bore thee, and the breasts that thou suckled. But he said, Blessed rather, are those who hear the word of God, and keep it. And when the multitudes gathered together he began to say, This generation is evil. They seek a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah, the prophet. For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of man will be to this generation. The queen of the south will awake in the judgment with the men of this generation, and will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, a greater than Jonah is here. And no man, having lit a lamp, puts it in a concealed place, nor under the bushel, but on the lampstand, so that those who enter in may see the light. The lamp of thy body is the eye. Therefore, when thine eye is sound, thy whole body is also bright, but when it is bad, thy body is also dark. Watch therefore the light in thee not be darkness. If therefore thy whole body is bright, not having any part dark, the whole will be bright, as when the lamp illuminates thee by the radiance. Now as he spoke a certain Pharisee asks him that he might dine with him. And having entered in, he sat down. And when the Pharisee saw, he marveled that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, Now ye Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your interior is full of plundering and wickedness. Ye foolish men, did not he who made the outside also make the inside? But give compassion, things that are inside, and behold, all things are clean to you. But woe to you Pharisees! Because ye tithe mint and rue and every plant, and pass by justice and the love of God. It is necessary to do these things, and not to neglect those things. Woe to you Pharisees! Because ye love the place of honor in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye are like the unseen sepulchers, and the men who walk over them do not know. And having answered, a certain man of the lawyers says to him, Teacher, in saying these things thou rebuke us also. And he said, Woe also to you lawyers! Because ye load men with burdens difficult to bear, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! Because ye build the sepulchers of the prophets, but your fathers killed them. Consequently, ye testify and approve the works of your fathers, because they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchers. Because of this also the wisdom of God said, I will send to them prophets and apostles. And some of them they will kill and persecute, so that the blood of all the prophets that was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I say to you, it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers! Because ye took away the key of knowledge. Ye did not enter in yourselves, and ye hindered those who were entering in. And after he said these things to them, the scholars and the Pharisees began to harass him extremely, and to provoke him to speak impulsively about more things, waiting to ambush him, seeking to catch something out of his mouth so that they might accuse him.
But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, Every kingdom that was divided against itself is made desolate, and a house against a house falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom be made to stand? Because ye say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebub. And if I cast out the demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Because of this they will be your judges. But if by a finger of God I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When the fully armed strong man guards his palace, the things possessed by him are in peace, but when a stronger than he comes, after defeating him, he takes away his full armor in which he trusted, and divides his booty. He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. When the unclean spirit departs out of the man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest. And not finding, it says, I will return to my house from where I came out. And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes, and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and having enter in, it dwells there. And the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman, having lifted up her voice out of the crowd, said to him, Blessed is the belly that bore thee, and the breasts that thou suckled. But he said, Blessed rather, are those who hear the word of God, and keep it. And when the multitudes gathered together he began to say, This generation is evil. They seek a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah, the prophet. For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of man will be to this generation. The queen of the south will awake in the judgment with the men of this generation, and will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, a greater than Jonah is here. And no man, having lit a lamp, puts it in a concealed place, nor under the bushel, but on the lampstand, so that those who enter in may see the light. The lamp of thy body is the eye. Therefore, when thine eye is sound, thy whole body is also bright, but when it is bad, thy body is also dark. Watch therefore the light in thee not be darkness. If therefore thy whole body is bright, not having any part dark, the whole will be bright, as when the lamp illuminates thee by the radiance. Now as he spoke a certain Pharisee asks him that he might dine with him. And having entered in, he sat down. And when the Pharisee saw, he marveled that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, Now ye Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your interior is full of plundering and wickedness. Ye foolish men, did not he who made the outside also make the inside? But give compassion, things that are inside, and behold, all things are clean to you. But woe to you Pharisees! Because ye tithe mint and rue and every plant, and pass by justice and the love of God. It is necessary to do these things, and not to neglect those things. Woe to you Pharisees! Because ye love the place of honor in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you scholars and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye are like the unseen sepulchers, and the men who walk over them do not know. And having answered, a certain man of the lawyers says to him, Teacher, in saying these things thou rebuke us also. And he said, Woe also to you lawyers! Because ye load men with burdens difficult to bear, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! Because ye build the sepulchers of the prophets, but your fathers killed them. Consequently, ye testify and approve the works of your fathers, because they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchers. Because of this also the wisdom of God said, I will send to them prophets and apostles. And some of them they will kill and persecute, so that the blood of all the prophets that was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I say to you, it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers! Because ye took away the key of knowledge. Ye did not enter in yourselves, and ye hindered those who were entering in. And after he said these things to them, the scholars and the Pharisees began to harass him extremely, and to provoke him to speak impulsively about more things, waiting to ambush him, seeking to catch something out of his mouth so that they might accuse him.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were approaching him to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scholars murmured, saying, This man receives sinners and eats with them. And he spoke this parable to them, saying, read more.
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave behind the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go for that which was lost until he finds it? And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance. Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she lose one drachma, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her lady friends and lady neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, because I found the drachma that I lost.
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave behind the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go for that which was lost until he finds it? And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance. Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she lose one drachma, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her lady friends and lady neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, because I found the drachma that I lost.
Repentance » The sinner that repents
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were approaching him to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scholars murmured, saying, This man receives sinners and eats with them. And he spoke this parable to them, saying, read more.
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave behind the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go for that which was lost until he finds it? And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance. Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she lose one drachma, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her lady friends and lady neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, because I found the drachma that I lost. Thus I say to you, there becomes joy in the presence of the agents of God over one sinner who repents.
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave behind the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go for that which was lost until he finds it? And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance. Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she lose one drachma, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her lady friends and lady neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, because I found the drachma that I lost. Thus I say to you, there becomes joy in the presence of the agents of God over one sinner who repents.
Salvation » Jesus Christ coming to save
But while he considered these things, behold, an agent of Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take Mary to be thy wife, for that which was begotten in her is from Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name JESUS, for he will save his people from their sins.
Faithful is the saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinful men, of whom I am foremost.
And his disciples James and John having seen, they said, Lord, do thou want that we should call fire to come down from the sky, and consume them, as also Elijah did? But having turned around, he rebuked them, and said, Ye do not know what kind of spirit ye are. For the son of man came not to destroy the lives of men, but to save. And they went to another village.
For the Son of man came to save that which was lost. What does it seem to you? If it happens a hundred sheep are with some man, and one of them went astray, after going (having left the ninety-nine on the mountains), does he not seek the one going astray? And if he happens to find it, truly I say to you, that he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. read more.
So, it is not a purpose before your Father in the heavens, that one of these little ones should perish.
So, it is not a purpose before your Father in the heavens, that one of these little ones should perish.
And he spoke this parable to them, saying, What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave behind the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go for that which was lost until he finds it? And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. read more.
And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance. Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she lose one drachma, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her lady friends and lady neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, because I found the drachma that I lost. Thus I say to you, there becomes joy in the presence of the agents of God over one sinner who repents. And he said, A certain man had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided to them his living. And not many days after, the younger son, having gathered all together, journeyed into a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth living recklessly. And when he spent all, a mighty famine developed in that country, and he began to be in want. And having gone, he was joined to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he longed to fill his belly from the husks that the swine ate, and no man gave to him. But when he came to himself, he said, How many hired men of my father's have abundance of loaves, but I am perishing with hunger. After rising, I will go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight. I am no more worthy to be called thy son. Make me as one of thy hired men. And having risen, he went to his father. But while he was still distant, afar off, his father saw him and felt compassion. And having ran, he fell on his neck, and kissed him much. And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight. I am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his bondmen, Bring forth the best robe and clothe him, and give a ring for his hand, and shoes for his feet. And having brought the fatted calf, kill it, and having eaten, we will be cheerful, because this my son was dead, and became alive again. And he was lost, and is found. And they began to be cheerful. But his elder son was in a field. And while coming, having approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And having summoned one of the boys, and inquired what these things might be. And he said to him, Thy brother arrived, and thy father has killed the fatted calf, because he received him back healthy. But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore, his father having come out, he called him. But having answered, he said to his father, Lo, so many years do I serve thee, and I never passed by a commandment of thine, and yet thou never gave me a goat that I might be merry with my friends. But when this thy son came, who has devoured thy living with harlots, thou killed for him the fatted calf. And he said to him, Child, thou are always with me, and all my things are yours. But it was needful to make merry and be glad, because this thy brother was dead, and became alive again, and was lost, and was found.
And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance. Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she lose one drachma, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her lady friends and lady neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, because I found the drachma that I lost. Thus I say to you, there becomes joy in the presence of the agents of God over one sinner who repents. And he said, A certain man had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided to them his living. And not many days after, the younger son, having gathered all together, journeyed into a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth living recklessly. And when he spent all, a mighty famine developed in that country, and he began to be in want. And having gone, he was joined to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he longed to fill his belly from the husks that the swine ate, and no man gave to him. But when he came to himself, he said, How many hired men of my father's have abundance of loaves, but I am perishing with hunger. After rising, I will go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight. I am no more worthy to be called thy son. Make me as one of thy hired men. And having risen, he went to his father. But while he was still distant, afar off, his father saw him and felt compassion. And having ran, he fell on his neck, and kissed him much. And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight. I am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his bondmen, Bring forth the best robe and clothe him, and give a ring for his hand, and shoes for his feet. And having brought the fatted calf, kill it, and having eaten, we will be cheerful, because this my son was dead, and became alive again. And he was lost, and is found. And they began to be cheerful. But his elder son was in a field. And while coming, having approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And having summoned one of the boys, and inquired what these things might be. And he said to him, Thy brother arrived, and thy father has killed the fatted calf, because he received him back healthy. But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore, his father having come out, he called him. But having answered, he said to his father, Lo, so many years do I serve thee, and I never passed by a commandment of thine, and yet thou never gave me a goat that I might be merry with my friends. But when this thy son came, who has devoured thy living with harlots, thou killed for him the fatted calf. And he said to him, Child, thou are always with me, and all my things are yours. But it was needful to make merry and be glad, because this thy brother was dead, and became alive again, and was lost, and was found.
And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, so that every man who believes in him would not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world not that he might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
And Jesus cried out and said, He who believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me. And he who sees me sees him who sent me. I have come a light into the world, so that every man who believes in me may not remain in the darkness. read more.
And if any man hears my sayings, and will not believe, I do not judge him, for I came not so that I might judge the world, but that I might save the world.
And if any man hears my sayings, and will not believe, I do not judge him, for I came not so that I might judge the world, but that I might save the world.
Shepherds » Illustrative » (searching out straying sheep,) of Christ seeking the lost
As a shepherd seeks out his flock, in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so I will seek out my sheep, and I will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
And the Pharisees and the scholars murmured, saying, This man receives sinners and eats with them. And he spoke this parable to them, saying, What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave behind the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go for that which was lost until he finds it? read more.
And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance.
And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes to the house, he calls together his men friends and his men neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I say to you, that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance.