Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Jesus Christ » Parables of » The lost sheep
And he told them a parable. "Which one of you men, if he has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? "And after he has found it, he lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing. read more.
"When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance.
"When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance.
"How does it seem to you, when a man has a hundred sheep and loses one of them? Will he not leave the ninety and nine on the hills, to go and search for the one that has strayed? "And if he succeeds in finding it, I tell you solemnly that he rejoices over it more than over the ninety and nine that never strayed away. "Just so it is not the will of my Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Losing and things lost » The lord seeking and saving that which was lost
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. "How does it seem to you, when a man has a hundred sheep and loses one of them? Will he not leave the ninety and nine on the hills, to go and search for the one that has strayed? "And if he succeeds in finding it, I tell you solemnly that he rejoices over it more than over the ninety and nine that never strayed away. read more.
"Just so it is not the will of my Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
"Just so it is not the will of my Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
And he told them a parable. "Which one of you men, if he has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? "And after he has found it, he lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing. read more.
"When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. "Or, again, suppose a woman has ten coins. If she loses one, does she not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search anxiously until she finds it? "And when she has found it, she calls together her woman friends and neighbors and say, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' "Even so I tell you there is joy in the presence of the angels for God over one sinner who repents." And he said: "There was a man who had two sons. "The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your property which is coming to me.' So he divided his means among them. "Not many days after that the younger son gathered everything together and took his journey into a distant country; and there he wasted his money on living unsavingly. "After he had spent everything there came a terrible famine in the land, and he began to be in want. "So he went and hired to one of the citizens of that land, who sent him out into the fields to feed swine. "And he was longing to be filled with the husks which the swine were eating, but no one gave him any. "When he came to himself he said: "'How many of my father's hired men have bread enough and to spare, while I am perishing of hunger! "'I will rise and go to my father, and say to him. "Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in your sight, "'"I am no more worthy to be called your son; only make me like one of your hired men."' "So he arose and went to his father; but while he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and am no more worthy to be called your son.' "'Fetch the best robe, quick,' said the father to his slaves, 'and put it on him, and give him a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet. "'Bring that fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry, "'for this son of mine was dead and is alive again??e was lost and is found.' "So they began to make merry. But his elder son was in the field, and as he drew near to the house he heard music and dancing, "and he summoned one of the slaves, and began to inquire of him what all this meant. "'Your brother is come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has him safe and sound.' "But he was angry and would not go in; so his father came out, and attempted to plead with him; but he said to his father. "'All these years I have been slaving for you and never disobeyed a command of yours. Yet you never gave me even a kid so that I might make merry with my friends. "'But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with harlots, you have killed him the fatted calf.' "'My dear son,' answered his father, 'you are always with me and all that is mine is yours. "'But it was fitting that we should make merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive; he was lost and is found.'"
"When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. "Or, again, suppose a woman has ten coins. If she loses one, does she not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search anxiously until she finds it? "And when she has found it, she calls together her woman friends and neighbors and say, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' "Even so I tell you there is joy in the presence of the angels for God over one sinner who repents." And he said: "There was a man who had two sons. "The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your property which is coming to me.' So he divided his means among them. "Not many days after that the younger son gathered everything together and took his journey into a distant country; and there he wasted his money on living unsavingly. "After he had spent everything there came a terrible famine in the land, and he began to be in want. "So he went and hired to one of the citizens of that land, who sent him out into the fields to feed swine. "And he was longing to be filled with the husks which the swine were eating, but no one gave him any. "When he came to himself he said: "'How many of my father's hired men have bread enough and to spare, while I am perishing of hunger! "'I will rise and go to my father, and say to him. "Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in your sight, "'"I am no more worthy to be called your son; only make me like one of your hired men."' "So he arose and went to his father; but while he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and am no more worthy to be called your son.' "'Fetch the best robe, quick,' said the father to his slaves, 'and put it on him, and give him a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet. "'Bring that fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry, "'for this son of mine was dead and is alive again??e was lost and is found.' "So they began to make merry. But his elder son was in the field, and as he drew near to the house he heard music and dancing, "and he summoned one of the slaves, and began to inquire of him what all this meant. "'Your brother is come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has him safe and sound.' "But he was angry and would not go in; so his father came out, and attempted to plead with him; but he said to his father. "'All these years I have been slaving for you and never disobeyed a command of yours. Yet you never gave me even a kid so that I might make merry with my friends. "'But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with harlots, you have killed him the fatted calf.' "'My dear son,' answered his father, 'you are always with me and all that is mine is yours. "'But it was fitting that we should make merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive; he was lost and is found.'"
"Today is salvation come to this house," said Jesus "since Zaccheus here is a son of Abraham. "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save the lost."
Parables » Parables of Christ » Lost sheep
And he told them a parable. "Which one of you men, if he has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? "And after he has found it, he lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing. read more.
"When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance.
"When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance.
Pharisees » Hypocrisy of, reproved » By jesus
Meanwhile when myriads of the multitudes were thronging around him so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples, first of all. "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisee, which is hypocrisy.
Verse Concepts
"When you fast, do not look downcast like the hypocrites; for they disfigure their faces so that it may be apparent to men that they are fasting. In solemn truth I tell you, they already have received their reward. "But when one of you fasts, let him anoint his head and wash his face, "so that he may not appear to men to be fasting, but to his Father who is in secret; and his Father who sees in secret will reward him.
"Listen to another parable: "A man who was a householder planted a vineyard, fenced it about, dug a wine vat in it, built a tower, then rented it to vine-dressers and went abroad. When the time of fruit drew near, he sent his slaves to the vine-dressers to get his fruit. And the vine-dressers seized his slaves, flogged one, killed another, and stoned a third. read more.
Again he sent other slaves, a larger number than at first, and they treated them in the same way. And last he sent his son to them; 'Surely they will respect my son,' he said. But when the vine-dressers saw his son, they said to themselves: "'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance.' "So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-dressers?" "He will utterly destroy those wretches," they answered, "and will entrust his vineyard to other vine-dressers, who will pay back the fruits to him in their season." "Have you never read in the Scriptures," Jesus answered, "how The stone that the builders rejected Has been made the corner-stone; This is the Lord's doing, It is wonderful in our eyes? "I tell you that for this reason the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation that does produce the fruit of it. "He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but he upon whom it falls will be scattered as dust." As they listened to his parables, the chief priests and the Pharisees recognized that he was speaking about them; but although they longed to apprehend him, they were afraid of the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.
Again he sent other slaves, a larger number than at first, and they treated them in the same way. And last he sent his son to them; 'Surely they will respect my son,' he said. But when the vine-dressers saw his son, they said to themselves: "'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance.' "So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-dressers?" "He will utterly destroy those wretches," they answered, "and will entrust his vineyard to other vine-dressers, who will pay back the fruits to him in their season." "Have you never read in the Scriptures," Jesus answered, "how The stone that the builders rejected Has been made the corner-stone; This is the Lord's doing, It is wonderful in our eyes? "I tell you that for this reason the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation that does produce the fruit of it. "He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but he upon whom it falls will be scattered as dust." As they listened to his parables, the chief priests and the Pharisees recognized that he was speaking about them; but although they longed to apprehend him, they were afraid of the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.
"And whatever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets, in order that men may praise them. In solemn truth I tell you they already have their reward in full. "But when you give alms, do not let your right hand know what your left is doing, "so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. read more.
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the corners of the avenues, in order that men may see them. In solemn truth I tell you that they have their reward in full. "But you, when you pray, go into your own room and shut your door; pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "While praying do not say the same words over and over again, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that by their much speaking they will gain attention. "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the corners of the avenues, in order that men may see them. In solemn truth I tell you that they have their reward in full. "But you, when you pray, go into your own room and shut your door; pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "While praying do not say the same words over and over again, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that by their much speaking they will gain attention. "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Then some Scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do your disciples keep transgressing the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before eating?" "And why do you also keep transgressing the command of God by your tradition?" he asked. read more.
"For God said, Honor your father and mother, and, Let him who reviles father or mother be put to death; but you say that whoever tells his father or mother, 'Whatever of mine might have been of service to you is dedicated to God,' is in no way bound to honor his father. Thus do you make void the word of God by your tradition! Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy concerning you, saying. This is a people that honors me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. In vain do they worship me, While they teach doctrines that are the commands of men."
"For God said, Honor your father and mother, and, Let him who reviles father or mother be put to death; but you say that whoever tells his father or mother, 'Whatever of mine might have been of service to you is dedicated to God,' is in no way bound to honor his father. Thus do you make void the word of God by your tradition! Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy concerning you, saying. This is a people that honors me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. In vain do they worship me, While they teach doctrines that are the commands of men."
Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came to him, and in order to test him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. In answer he said: "In the evening you say, 'It will be fine weather, for the sky is red as fire'; and at dawn you say, 'It will storm today, for the sky is red and lowering.' You know how to discern the look of the sky, but the signs of the times you cannot read. read more.
A wicked and faithless generation is seeking a sign, but no sign shall be given it but the sign of Jonah." So he left them and went away. When his disciples reached the other side of the lake, they had forgotten to bring bread. Presently Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees." And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, "It is because we did not bring any bread." When Jesus knew it he said: "Weaklings in faith! Why are you arguing among yourselves, because you have no bread? "Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many large basketfuls you took up? "Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many large basketfuls you took up? "How is it that you do not perceive that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware off the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees!" Then they realized that he had not told them to beware of the leaven, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
A wicked and faithless generation is seeking a sign, but no sign shall be given it but the sign of Jonah." So he left them and went away. When his disciples reached the other side of the lake, they had forgotten to bring bread. Presently Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees." And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, "It is because we did not bring any bread." When Jesus knew it he said: "Weaklings in faith! Why are you arguing among yourselves, because you have no bread? "Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many large basketfuls you took up? "Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many large basketfuls you took up? "How is it that you do not perceive that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware off the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees!" Then they realized that he had not told them to beware of the leaven, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
"The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat; "therefore do and observe whatever they bid you; but do not do as they do, for they preach, but do not practise. "For they bind heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger to move them. read more.
"For they do all their good deeds to be gazed on of men. They widen their phylacteries, "and lengthen the tassels, and are fond of the best places at banquets, and the front seats in the synagogues. "They enjoy salutations in the market-places, and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi'; for one is your Teacher, and you are all brothers; "and call no one 'Father' on earth, for One is your Father in heaven. "And call no one 'Leader,' because One is your leader, even the Christ. "Whoever is great among you shall be your minister; "whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted. "But woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces; for you do not enter, yourselves, nor do you permit those who are about to come in, to enter. OMITTED TEXT. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you scour sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is gained, you make him twofold more a son of hell than you are, yourselves. "Woe unto you, blind guides, who say, If any one swears by the Sanctuary, it is nothing, but if any one swears by the gold of the Sanctuary, the oath is binding. "You fools and blind; for which is greater, the gold, or the Sanctuary which hallows the gold? "You say, too, that whoever swears by the offering that is upon it, his oath is binding. "You blind! Which is greater, the offering or the altar which hallows the offering? "He then, who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; "and he who swears by the Sanctuary swears by it and by Him who dwells therein; "and he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits thereon. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and anise and cummin, and neglect the weightier matters of the Law??ustice and mercy and good faith; these latter you ought to have done, and not to have left the former undone. "You blind guides! who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but within they are filled with extortion and excess. "You blind Pharisees, first clean the inside of the cup and of the plate, so that the outside of it may be clean also. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like white-washed sepulchers. They look beautiful without, but within they are filled with dead men's bones and all rottenness. "Just so you also outwardly appear to men, just, but within you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You rebuild the tombs of the prophets, and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, "'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been their comrades in the murder of the prophets.' "So you bear witness against yourselves, that you are the descendants of those who slew the prophets! "Fill up then the measure of your fathers! "You serpents! You vipers brood! How shall you escape the judgment of hell?
"For they do all their good deeds to be gazed on of men. They widen their phylacteries, "and lengthen the tassels, and are fond of the best places at banquets, and the front seats in the synagogues. "They enjoy salutations in the market-places, and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi'; for one is your Teacher, and you are all brothers; "and call no one 'Father' on earth, for One is your Father in heaven. "And call no one 'Leader,' because One is your leader, even the Christ. "Whoever is great among you shall be your minister; "whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted. "But woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces; for you do not enter, yourselves, nor do you permit those who are about to come in, to enter. OMITTED TEXT. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you scour sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is gained, you make him twofold more a son of hell than you are, yourselves. "Woe unto you, blind guides, who say, If any one swears by the Sanctuary, it is nothing, but if any one swears by the gold of the Sanctuary, the oath is binding. "You fools and blind; for which is greater, the gold, or the Sanctuary which hallows the gold? "You say, too, that whoever swears by the offering that is upon it, his oath is binding. "You blind! Which is greater, the offering or the altar which hallows the offering? "He then, who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; "and he who swears by the Sanctuary swears by it and by Him who dwells therein; "and he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits thereon. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and anise and cummin, and neglect the weightier matters of the Law??ustice and mercy and good faith; these latter you ought to have done, and not to have left the former undone. "You blind guides! who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but within they are filled with extortion and excess. "You blind Pharisees, first clean the inside of the cup and of the plate, so that the outside of it may be clean also. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like white-washed sepulchers. They look beautiful without, but within they are filled with dead men's bones and all rottenness. "Just so you also outwardly appear to men, just, but within you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You rebuild the tombs of the prophets, and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, "'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been their comrades in the murder of the prophets.' "So you bear witness against yourselves, that you are the descendants of those who slew the prophets! "Fill up then the measure of your fathers! "You serpents! You vipers brood! How shall you escape the judgment of hell?
Once he was casting out a dumb demon, and when the demon was gone out, the dumb man spoke, and the people wondered. But some of them said, "It is by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that he cast out demons." Others, tempting him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. read more.
He knew their intentions and said to them. "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste and house falls upon house. "And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? "Do you say that I am casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub? If I then am casting out demons by Beelzebub, by whom are your sons casting them out? They therefore shall be your judges. "But if it is by the finger of God that I am casting out demons, then the kingdom of God is come upon you. "When the strong man fully aroused keeps guard over his homestead, his property is undisturbed; "but when the stronger man attacks him, he takes away from the strong armor in which he was trusting and divides up the spoil. "He who is not for me is against me, and he who is not gathering with me is scattering. "Whenever a foul spirit is gone out of a man, it roams through waterless places, in search of rest; but when it can find none, it says, 'I will go back to the house which I have left.' When it comes and finds the house completely swept and garnished. "Then it goes off and fetches seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first." It happened while he was saying this, that a certain woman out of the crowd shouted to him, saying, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breast that you have sucked." "No, rather," he answered, "blessed are those who listen to the word of God, and keep it." When the crowd were beginning to throng about him he proceeded to say. "This is an evil generation! It seeks a sign, and there shall be no sign be given to it except the sign of Jonah; "for as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so shall the Son of man be to this generation. "The queen of the South shall rise up in Judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them; because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and lo, one greater than Solomon is here! "The men of the Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with his generation and shall condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and lo! one greater than Jonah is here! "When one lights a lamp he does not put it in a cellar nor under the bushel, but on a lamp-stand that those who enter may see the light. "The lamp of the body is your eye; when your eye is single then your whole body is full of light; but when it is evil your whole body is full of darkness. "Look carefully! Perhaps that very light of yours is darkness. "If, however, your whole body is full of light, without having any part dark, it will be wholly radiant with light, as when the lamp illumines you with its bright rays." When he had finished speaking a Pharisee asked him to dine with him; so he went in with him and reclined. And the Pharisee noticed, to his amazement, that he did not wash his hands before eating, but the Lord said to him. "You Pharisee do cleanse the outside of your cup or plate, but your secret heart is full of extortion and wickedness. "Foolish men! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? "Better cleanse what is within, and nothing will be unclean for you. "But woe unto you Pharisee! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and disregard justice and the love of God; but these you ought to have done, and not leave the other undone. "Woe unto you Pharisee! for you delight in the best seats in the synagogue, and in the salutation in the market-places. "Woe unto you! for you are like the tombs which are hidden, and men walk over them unsuspecting." Hereupon one of the lawyers exclaimed, "But teacher, in saying such things you are also reproaching us also." "Woe unto you lawyers also!" said Jesus, "for you load men with irksome burdens, and you yourselves will not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. "Woe to you! for you are building the tombs of the prophets whom you ancestors killed. "So you are witnesses, and you consent to the actions of your ancestors. for they killed them, and you build their tombs. "For this reason also said the Wisdom of God. 'I will send them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and some they will persecute; "so that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required from this generation, "from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the alter and the sanctuary; yes; I tell you, it shall be required of this generation! "Woe to you lawyers, for you have taken away the key of knowledge!' You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who are trying to enter." After he had gone away, the Scribes and the Pharisee began to set themselves vehemently against him, and to cross-question him upon many points, laying in wait for him, in order to catch a word from his lips.
He knew their intentions and said to them. "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste and house falls upon house. "And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? "Do you say that I am casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub? If I then am casting out demons by Beelzebub, by whom are your sons casting them out? They therefore shall be your judges. "But if it is by the finger of God that I am casting out demons, then the kingdom of God is come upon you. "When the strong man fully aroused keeps guard over his homestead, his property is undisturbed; "but when the stronger man attacks him, he takes away from the strong armor in which he was trusting and divides up the spoil. "He who is not for me is against me, and he who is not gathering with me is scattering. "Whenever a foul spirit is gone out of a man, it roams through waterless places, in search of rest; but when it can find none, it says, 'I will go back to the house which I have left.' When it comes and finds the house completely swept and garnished. "Then it goes off and fetches seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first." It happened while he was saying this, that a certain woman out of the crowd shouted to him, saying, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breast that you have sucked." "No, rather," he answered, "blessed are those who listen to the word of God, and keep it." When the crowd were beginning to throng about him he proceeded to say. "This is an evil generation! It seeks a sign, and there shall be no sign be given to it except the sign of Jonah; "for as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so shall the Son of man be to this generation. "The queen of the South shall rise up in Judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them; because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and lo, one greater than Solomon is here! "The men of the Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with his generation and shall condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and lo! one greater than Jonah is here! "When one lights a lamp he does not put it in a cellar nor under the bushel, but on a lamp-stand that those who enter may see the light. "The lamp of the body is your eye; when your eye is single then your whole body is full of light; but when it is evil your whole body is full of darkness. "Look carefully! Perhaps that very light of yours is darkness. "If, however, your whole body is full of light, without having any part dark, it will be wholly radiant with light, as when the lamp illumines you with its bright rays." When he had finished speaking a Pharisee asked him to dine with him; so he went in with him and reclined. And the Pharisee noticed, to his amazement, that he did not wash his hands before eating, but the Lord said to him. "You Pharisee do cleanse the outside of your cup or plate, but your secret heart is full of extortion and wickedness. "Foolish men! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? "Better cleanse what is within, and nothing will be unclean for you. "But woe unto you Pharisee! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and disregard justice and the love of God; but these you ought to have done, and not leave the other undone. "Woe unto you Pharisee! for you delight in the best seats in the synagogue, and in the salutation in the market-places. "Woe unto you! for you are like the tombs which are hidden, and men walk over them unsuspecting." Hereupon one of the lawyers exclaimed, "But teacher, in saying such things you are also reproaching us also." "Woe unto you lawyers also!" said Jesus, "for you load men with irksome burdens, and you yourselves will not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. "Woe to you! for you are building the tombs of the prophets whom you ancestors killed. "So you are witnesses, and you consent to the actions of your ancestors. for they killed them, and you build their tombs. "For this reason also said the Wisdom of God. 'I will send them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and some they will persecute; "so that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required from this generation, "from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the alter and the sanctuary; yes; I tell you, it shall be required of this generation! "Woe to you lawyers, for you have taken away the key of knowledge!' You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who are trying to enter." After he had gone away, the Scribes and the Pharisee began to set themselves vehemently against him, and to cross-question him upon many points, laying in wait for him, in order to catch a word from his lips.
Now all the tax-gatherers and sinners continued to draw near him, and to listen to him. And the Pharisees and Scribes began to complain, saying, "He is welcoming sinners and eating with them!" And he told them a parable. read more.
"Which one of you men, if he has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? "And after he has found it, he lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing. "When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. "Or, again, suppose a woman has ten coins. If she loses one, does she not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search anxiously until she finds it? "And when she has found it, she calls together her woman friends and neighbors and say, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.'
"Which one of you men, if he has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? "And after he has found it, he lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing. "When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. "Or, again, suppose a woman has ten coins. If she loses one, does she not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search anxiously until she finds it? "And when she has found it, she calls together her woman friends and neighbors and say, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.'
Repentance » The sinner that repents
Now all the tax-gatherers and sinners continued to draw near him, and to listen to him. And the Pharisees and Scribes began to complain, saying, "He is welcoming sinners and eating with them!" And he told them a parable. read more.
"Which one of you men, if he has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? "And after he has found it, he lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing. "When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. "Or, again, suppose a woman has ten coins. If she loses one, does she not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search anxiously until she finds it? "And when she has found it, she calls together her woman friends and neighbors and say, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' "Even so I tell you there is joy in the presence of the angels for God over one sinner who repents."
"Which one of you men, if he has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? "And after he has found it, he lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing. "When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. "Or, again, suppose a woman has ten coins. If she loses one, does she not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search anxiously until she finds it? "And when she has found it, she calls together her woman friends and neighbors and say, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' "Even so I tell you there is joy in the presence of the angels for God over one sinner who repents."
Salvation » Jesus Christ coming to save
And while he was having this in mind, behold! an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying. "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife home, for what is begotten in her is by the Holy Spirit; and she will bear a son, and you are to call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners"! And there is no greater sinner than I!
Verse Concepts
And when his disciples, James and John, saw this they said, "Lord, are you willing for us to bid fire come down from heaven and destroy them?" As Elijah did. But he turned and rebuked them and said, "You know not what kind of spirit you share, for the Son of man came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them." And they went to another village.
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. "How does it seem to you, when a man has a hundred sheep and loses one of them? Will he not leave the ninety and nine on the hills, to go and search for the one that has strayed? "And if he succeeds in finding it, I tell you solemnly that he rejoices over it more than over the ninety and nine that never strayed away. read more.
"Just so it is not the will of my Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
"Just so it is not the will of my Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
And he told them a parable. "Which one of you men, if he has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? "And after he has found it, he lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing. read more.
"When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. "Or, again, suppose a woman has ten coins. If she loses one, does she not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search anxiously until she finds it? "And when she has found it, she calls together her woman friends and neighbors and say, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' "Even so I tell you there is joy in the presence of the angels for God over one sinner who repents." And he said: "There was a man who had two sons. "The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your property which is coming to me.' So he divided his means among them. "Not many days after that the younger son gathered everything together and took his journey into a distant country; and there he wasted his money on living unsavingly. "After he had spent everything there came a terrible famine in the land, and he began to be in want. "So he went and hired to one of the citizens of that land, who sent him out into the fields to feed swine. "And he was longing to be filled with the husks which the swine were eating, but no one gave him any. "When he came to himself he said: "'How many of my father's hired men have bread enough and to spare, while I am perishing of hunger! "'I will rise and go to my father, and say to him. "Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in your sight, "'"I am no more worthy to be called your son; only make me like one of your hired men."' "So he arose and went to his father; but while he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and am no more worthy to be called your son.' "'Fetch the best robe, quick,' said the father to his slaves, 'and put it on him, and give him a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet. "'Bring that fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry, "'for this son of mine was dead and is alive again??e was lost and is found.' "So they began to make merry. But his elder son was in the field, and as he drew near to the house he heard music and dancing, "and he summoned one of the slaves, and began to inquire of him what all this meant. "'Your brother is come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has him safe and sound.' "But he was angry and would not go in; so his father came out, and attempted to plead with him; but he said to his father. "'All these years I have been slaving for you and never disobeyed a command of yours. Yet you never gave me even a kid so that I might make merry with my friends. "'But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with harlots, you have killed him the fatted calf.' "'My dear son,' answered his father, 'you are always with me and all that is mine is yours. "'But it was fitting that we should make merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive; he was lost and is found.'"
"When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. "Or, again, suppose a woman has ten coins. If she loses one, does she not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search anxiously until she finds it? "And when she has found it, she calls together her woman friends and neighbors and say, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' "Even so I tell you there is joy in the presence of the angels for God over one sinner who repents." And he said: "There was a man who had two sons. "The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your property which is coming to me.' So he divided his means among them. "Not many days after that the younger son gathered everything together and took his journey into a distant country; and there he wasted his money on living unsavingly. "After he had spent everything there came a terrible famine in the land, and he began to be in want. "So he went and hired to one of the citizens of that land, who sent him out into the fields to feed swine. "And he was longing to be filled with the husks which the swine were eating, but no one gave him any. "When he came to himself he said: "'How many of my father's hired men have bread enough and to spare, while I am perishing of hunger! "'I will rise and go to my father, and say to him. "Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in your sight, "'"I am no more worthy to be called your son; only make me like one of your hired men."' "So he arose and went to his father; but while he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and am no more worthy to be called your son.' "'Fetch the best robe, quick,' said the father to his slaves, 'and put it on him, and give him a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet. "'Bring that fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry, "'for this son of mine was dead and is alive again??e was lost and is found.' "So they began to make merry. But his elder son was in the field, and as he drew near to the house he heard music and dancing, "and he summoned one of the slaves, and began to inquire of him what all this meant. "'Your brother is come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has him safe and sound.' "But he was angry and would not go in; so his father came out, and attempted to plead with him; but he said to his father. "'All these years I have been slaving for you and never disobeyed a command of yours. Yet you never gave me even a kid so that I might make merry with my friends. "'But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with harlots, you have killed him the fatted calf.' "'My dear son,' answered his father, 'you are always with me and all that is mine is yours. "'But it was fitting that we should make merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive; he was lost and is found.'"
"Today is salvation come to this house," said Jesus "since Zaccheus here is a son of Abraham. "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save the lost."
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever trusts in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.
Now Jesus, speaking in a loud voice, had 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. Like light am I come into the world, so that no one who believes in me may remain in darkness. read more.
And if any one hears my words and does not keep them, it is not I who judge him; for I am not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
And if any one hears my words and does not keep them, it is not I who judge him; for I am not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
Shepherds » Illustrative » (searching out straying sheep,) of Christ seeking the lost
And the Pharisees and Scribes began to complain, saying, "He is welcoming sinners and eating with them!" And he told them a parable. "Which one of you men, if he has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? read more.
"And after he has found it, he lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing. "When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance.
"And after he has found it, he lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing. "When he gets home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance.