77 Bible Verses about Pharisees, Attitudes To Jesus Christ

At this point, some Teachers of the Law and Pharisees interposed. "Teacher," they said, " we want to see some sign from you." "It is a wicked and unfaithful generation," answered Jesus, "that is asking for a sign, and no sign shall be given it except the sign of the Prophet Jonah. For, just as 'Jonah was inside the sea-monster three days and three nights,' so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.read more.
At the Judgment, the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation, and will condemn it, because they repented at Jonah's proclamation; and here is more than a Jonah! At the Judgment the Queen of the South will rise up with the present generation, and will condemn it, because she came from the very ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon; and here is more than a Solomon!

As the crowds increased, Jesus began to speak: "This generation is a wicked generation. It is asking a sign, but no sign shall be given it except the sign of Jonah. For, as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so shall the Son of Man be to this generation. At the Judgment the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation, and will condemn them, because she came from the very ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon; and here is more than a Solomon!read more.
At the Judgment the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation, and will condemn it, because they repented at Jonah's proclamation; and here is more than a Jonah!

Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and, to test Jesus, requested him to show them some sign from the heavens. But Jesus answered: [ "In the evening you say 'It will be fine weather, for the sky is as red as fire.' But in the morning you say 'To-day it will be stormy, for the sky is as red as fire and threatening.' You learn to read the sky; yet you are unable to read the signs of the times!]read more.
A wicked and unfaithful generation is asking for a sign, but no sign shall be given it except the sign of Jonah." So he left them and went away.

Here the Pharisees came out, and began to argue with Jesus, asking him for some sign from the heavens, to test him. Sighing deeply, Jesus said: "Why does this generation ask for a sign? I tell you, no sign shall be given it."

Presently some Pharisees came up to him, and, to test him, said: "Has a man the right to divorce his wife for every cause?" "Have not you read," replied Jesus, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' And said--'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be united to his wife, and the man and his wife shall become one'?read more.
So that they are no longer two, but one. What God himself, then, has yoked together man must not separate." "Why, then," they said, "did Moses direct that a man should 'serve his wife with a notice of separation and divorce her'?" "Moses, owing to the hardness of your hearts," answered Jesus, "permitted you to divorce your wives, but that was not so at the beginning. But I tell you that any one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of her unchastity, and marries another woman, is guilty of adultery."

Presently some Pharisees came up and, to test him, asked: "Has a husband the right to divorce his wife?" "What direction did Moses give you?" replied Jesus. "Moses," they said, "permitted a man to 'draw up in writing a notice of separation and divorce his wife.'"read more.
"It was owing to the hardness of your hearts," said Jesus, "that Moses gave you this direction; But, at the beginning of the Creation, God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, And the man and his wife shall become one;' so that they are no longer two, but one. What God himself, then, has yoked together man must not separate."

Then the Pharisees went away and conferred together as to how they might lay a snare for Jesus in the course of conversation. They sent their disciples, with the Herodians, to say to him: "Teacher, we know that you are an honest man, and that you teach the way of God honestly, and are not afraid of any one; for you pay no regard to a man's position. Tell us, then, what you think. Are we right in paying taxes to the Emperor, or not?"read more.
Perceiving their malice, Jesus answered: "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin with which the tax is paid." And, when they had brought him a florin, He asked: "Whose head and title are these?" "The Emperor's," they answered: on which he said to them: "Then pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and to God what belongs to God." They wondered at his answer, and left him alone and went away.

Afterwards they sent to Jesus some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to set a trap for him in the course of conversation. These men came to him and said: "Teacher, we know that you are an honest man, and are not afraid of any one, for you pay no regard to a man's position, but teach the Way of God honestly; are we right in paying taxes to the Emperor, or not? Should we pay, or should we not pay?" Knowing their hypocrisy, Jesus said to them: "Why are you testing me? Bring me a florin to look at."read more.
And, when they had brought it, he asked: "Whose head and title are these?" "The Emperor's," they said; And Jesus replied: "Pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and to God what belongs to God." And they wondered at him.

Having watched their opportunity, they afterwards sent some spies, who pretended to be good men, to catch Jesus in the course of conversation, and so enable them to give him up to the Governor's jurisdiction and authority. These men asked Jesus a question. They said: "Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and that you do not take any account of a man's position, but teach the Way of God honestly; Are we right in paying tribute to the Emperor or not?"read more.
Seeing through their deceitfulness, Jesus said to them: "Show me a florin. Whose head and title are on it?" "The Emperor's," they said; and Jesus replied: "Well then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and to God what belongs to God." They could not lay hold of this answer before the people; and, in their wonder at his reply, they held their tongues.

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they collected together. Then one of them, a Student of the Law, to test him, asked this question-- "Teacher, what is the great commandment in the Law?"read more.
His answer was: "'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.' This is the great first commandment. The second, which is like it, is this--'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thou dost thyself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Then came up one of the Teachers of the Law who had heard their discussions. Knowing that Jesus had answered them wisely, he asked him this question: "What is the first of all the commandments?" "The first," answered Jesus, "is--'Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is the one Lord; And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.'read more.
The second is this--'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thou dost love thyself.' There is no commandment greater than these." "Wisely answered, Teacher!" exclaimed the Teacher of the Law. "It is true, as you say, that 'there is one God,' and that 'there is no other besides him'; And to 'love him with all one's heart, and with all one's understanding, and with all one's strength,' and to 'love one's neighbor as one loves oneself' is far beyond all 'burnt-offerings and sacrifices.'" Seeing that he had answered with discernment, Jesus said to him: "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." After that no one ventured to question him further.

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Afterwards they sent to Jesus some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to set a trap for him in the course of conversation. These men came to him and said: "Teacher, we know that you are an honest man, and are not afraid of any one, for you pay no regard to a man's position, but teach the Way of God honestly; are we right in paying taxes to the Emperor, or not?

Then the Pharisees went away and conferred together as to how they might lay a snare for Jesus in the course of conversation. They sent their disciples, with the Herodians, to say to him: "Teacher, we know that you are an honest man, and that you teach the way of God honestly, and are not afraid of any one; for you pay no regard to a man's position.

At this point, some Teachers of the Law and Pharisees interposed. "Teacher," they said, " we want to see some sign from you."

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they collected together. Then one of them, a Student of the Law, to test him, asked this question-- "Teacher, what is the great commandment in the Law?"

When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself: "Had this man been 'The Prophet,' he would have known who, and what sort of woman, this is who is touching him, and that she is an outcast." But, addressing him, Jesus said: "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Pray do so, Teacher," Simon answered; and Jesus began:

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him: "Teacher, reprove your disciples."

These men asked Jesus a question. They said: "Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and that you do not take any account of a man's position, but teach the Way of God honestly;

This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him: "Rabbi, we know that you are a Teacher come from God; for no one could give such signs as you are giving, unless God were with him."

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Before the Pharisees separated, Jesus put this question to them-- "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" "David's," they said. "How is it, then," Jesus replied, "that David, speaking under inspiration, calls him 'lord,' in the passage-read more.
'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, Until I put thy enemies beneath thy feet"'? Since, then, David calls him 'lord,' how is he David's son?" No one could say a word in answer; nor did any one after that day venture to question him further.

While Jesus was teaching in the Temple Courts, he asked: "How is it that the Teachers of the Law say that the Christ is to be David's son? David said himself, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit-- 'The Lord said to my lord: "Sit at my right hand, Until I put thy enemies beneath thy feet.'" David himself calls him 'lord,' how comes it, then, that he is to be his son?" The mass of the people listened to Jesus with delight.read more.
In the course of his teaching, Jesus said: "See that you are on your guard against the Teachers of the Law, who delight to walk about in long robes, and to be greeted in the streets with respect, And to have the best seats in the Synagogues, and places of honor at dinner. They are the men that rob widows of their homes, and make a pretense of saying long prayers. Their sentence will be all the heavier."

But Jesus said to them: "How is it that people say that the Christ is to be David's son? For David, in the Book of Psalms, says himself--'The Lord said to my lord: "Sit at my right hand, Until I put they enemies as a stool for thy feet."'read more.
David, then, calls him 'lord,' so how is he David's son?"

Passing on, Jesus went into their Synagogue, And there he saw a man with a withered hand. Some people asked Jesus whether it was allowable to work a cure on the Sabbath- -so that they might have a charge to bring against him. But Jesus said to them: "Which of you, if he had only one sheep, and that sheep fell into a pit on the Sabbath, would not lay hold of it and pull it out?read more.
And how much more precious a man is than a sheep! Therefore it is allowable to do good on the Sabbath." Then he said to the man. "Stretch out your hand." The man stretched it out; and it had become as sound as the other. On coming out, the Pharisees plotted against Jesus, to put him to death.

On another occasion Jesus went in to a Synagogue, where they was a man whose hand was withered. And they watched Jesus closely, to see if he would cure the man on the Sabbath, so that they might have a charge to bring against him. "Stand out in the middle," Jesus said to the man with the withered hand;read more.
And to the people he said: "Is it allowable to do good on the Sabbath--or harm? to save a life, or destroy it?" As they remained silent, Jesus looked round at them in anger, grieving at the hardness of their hearts, and said to the man: "Stretch out your hand." The man stretched it out; and his hand had become sound. Immediately on leaving the Synagogue, the Pharisees and the Herodians united in laying a plot against Jesus, to put him to death.

On another Sabbath Jesus went into the Synagogue and taught; and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely, to see if he would work cures on the Sabbath, so that they might find a charge to bring against him. Jesus, however, knew what was in the their minds, and said to the man whose hand was withered: "Stand up and come out into the middle." The man stood up;read more.
And Jesus said to them: "I ask you, is it allowable to do good on the Sabbath--or harm? to save a life, or let it perish?" Then, looking round at them all, he said to the man: "Stretch out your hand." The man did so; and his hand had become sound. But the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees were goaded to madness, and consulted together what they could do to Jesus.

"I, too," said Jesus in reply, "will ask you one question; if you will give me an answer to it, then I, also, will tell you what authority I have to act as I do. It is about John's baptism. What was its origin? divine or human?" But they began arguing among themselves: "If we say 'divine,' he will say to us 'Why then did not you believe him?' But if we say 'human,' we are afraid of the people, for every one regards John as a Prophet."read more.
So the answer they gave Jesus was--"We do not know." "Then I," he said, "refuse to tell you what authority I have to do these things.

"I will put one question to you," said Jesus. "Answer me that, and then I will tell you what authority I have to act as I do. It is about John's baptism. Was it of divine or human origin? Answer me that." They began arguing together; "If we say 'divine,' he will say 'Why then did not you believe him?'read more.
Yet can we say 'human'?"--They were afraid of the people, for everyone regarded John as undoubtedly a Prophet. So their answer to Jesus was--"We do not know." "Then I," replied Jesus, "refuse to tell you what authority I have to do these things."

"I, too," said Jesus in reply, "will ask you one question. Give me an answer to it. It is about John's baptism--was it of divine or of human origin?" But they began arguing together: "If we say 'divine,' he will say 'Why did not you believe him?'read more.
But, if we say 'human,' the people will all stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a Prophet." So they answered that they did not know its origin. "Then I," said Jesus, "refuse to tell you what authority I have to do these things."

On one occasion, as Jesus was going, on a Sabbath into the house of one of the leading Pharisees to dine, they were watching him closely. There he saw before him a man who was suffering from dropsy. "Is it allowable," said Jesus, addressing the Students of the Law and the Pharisees, "to work a cure on the Sabbath, or is it not?"read more.
They remained silent. Jesus took hold of the man and cured him, and sent him away. And he said to them: "Which of you, finding that his son or his ox has fallen into a well, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath Day?" And they could not make any answer to that.

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to dine with him, so Jesus went to his house and took his place at table.

One day the Pharisees and some of the Teachers of the Law who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus. They had noticed that some of his disciples ate their food with their hands 'defiled,' by which they meant unwashed.

As Jesus finished speaking, a Pharisee asked him to breakfast with him, and Jesus went in and took his place at table.

Just then some Pharisees came up to Jesus and said: "Go away and leave this place, for Herod wants to kill you."

On one occasion, as Jesus was going, on a Sabbath into the house of one of the leading Pharisees to dine, they were watching him closely.

Meanwhile the people had gathered in thousands, so that they trod upon one another, when Jesus, addressing himself to his disciples, began by saying to them: "Be on your guard against the leaven--that is, the hypocrisy--of the Pharisees.

Indeed I tell you that, unless your religion is above that of the Teachers of the Law, and Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Now the disciples had crossed to the opposite shore, and had forgotten to take any bread. Presently Jesus said to them: "Take care and be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." But the disciples began talking among themselves about their having brought no bread.read more.
On noticing this, Jesus said: "Why are you talking among yourselves about your being short of bread, O men of little faith? Do not you yet see, nor remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took away? Nor yet the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you took away? How is it that you do not see that I was not speaking about bread? Be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Then they understood that he had told them to be on their guard, not against the leaven of bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Now the disciples had forgotten to take any bread with them, one loaf being all that they had in the boat. So Jesus gave them this warning. "Take care," he said, "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." They began talking to one another about their being short of bread.read more.
And, noticing this, Jesus said to them: "Why are you talking about your being short of bread? Do not you yet see or understand? Are your minds still so slow or comprehension? 'Though you have eyes, do you not see? and though you have ears, do you not hear?' Do not you remember, When I broke up the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets of broken pieces you picked up?" "Twelve," they said. And when the seven for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you pick up?" "Seven," they said. "Do not you understand now?" he repeated.

Listen to another parable. A man, who was an employer, once planted a vineyard, put a fence round it, dug a winepress in it, built a tower, and then let it out to tenants and went abroad. When the time for the vintage drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to receive his share of the produce. But the tenants seized his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.read more.
A second time the owner sent some servants, a larger number than before, and the tenants treated them in the same way. As a last resource he sent his son to them. 'They will respect my son,' he said. But the tenants, on seeing his son, said to each other 'Here is the heir! Come, let us kill him, and get his inheritance.' So they seized him, and threw him outside the vineyard, and killed him. Now, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" "Miserable wretches!" they exclaimed, "he will put them to a miserable death, and he will let out the vineyard to other tenants, who will pay him his share of the produce at the proper times." Then Jesus added: "Have you never read in the Scriptures?-- 'The very stone which the builders despised--Has now itself become the corner-stone; This corner-stone has come from the Lord, And is marvelous in our eyes.' And that, I tell you, is why the Kingdom of God will be taken from you, and given to a nation that does produce the fruit of the Kingdom. Yes, and he who falls on this stone will be dashed to pieces, while any one on whom it falls--it will scatter him as dust." After listening to these parables, the Chief Priests and the Pharisees saw that it was about them that he was speaking;

And Jesus began to speak to them in parables: "A man once planted a vineyard, put a fence round it, dug a wine-press, built a tower, and then let it out to tenants and went abroad. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants, to receive from them a share of the produce of the vintage; But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty- handed.read more.
A second time the owner sent a servant to them; this man, too, the tenants struck on the head, and insulted. He sent another, but him they killed; and so with many others- -some they beat and some they killed. He had still one son, who was very dear to him; and him he sent to them last of all. 'They will respect my son,' he said. But those tenants said to one another 'Here is the heir! Come, let us kill him, and his inheritance will be ours.' So they seized him, and killed him, and threw his body outside the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and put the tenants to death, and he will let the vineyard to others. Have you never read this passage of Scripture?--'The very stone which the builders despised has now itself become the corner- stone; This corner-stone has come from the Lord, and is marvelous in our eyes.'"

But Jesus began to tell the people this parable-- "A man once planted a vineyard, and then let it out to tenants, and went abroad for a long while. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants, that they should give him a share of the produce of the vineyard. The tenants, however, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. The owner afterwards sent another servant; but the tenants beat and insulted this man too, and sent him away empty-handed.read more.
He sent a third; but they wounded this man also, and threw him outside. 'What shall I do?' said the owner of the vineyard. 'I will send my son, who is very dear to me. Perhaps they will respect him.' But, on seeing him, the tenants consulted with one another. 'Here is the heir!' they said. 'Let us kill him, and then the inheritance will become ours.' So they threw him outside the vineyard and killed him. Now what will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and put those tenants to death, and will let the vineyard to others." "Heaven forbid!" they exclaimed when they heard it. But Jesus looked at them and said: "What then is the meaning of this passage?-- 'The very stone which the builders despised has now itself become the corner-stone.' Every one who falls on that stone will be dashed to pieces, while any one on whom it falls--it will scatter him as dust." After this the Teachers of the Law and the Chief Priest were eager to lay hands on Jesus then and there, but they were afraid of the people; for they saw that it was at them that he had aimed this parable.

Then Jesus speaking to the crowds and to his disciples, said: "The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees now occupy the chair of Moses. Therefore practice and lay to heart everything that they tell preach but do not practice.read more.
While they make up heavy loads and pile them on other men's shoulder's they decline, themselves, to lift a finger to move them. All their actions are done to attract attention. They widen their phylacteries, and increase the size of their tassels, and like to have the place of honor at dinner, and the best seats in the Synagogues, and to be greeted in the markets with respect, and to be called 'Rabbi' for everybody. But do not allow yourselves to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Father, the heavenly Father. And do not call any one Father, the heavenly Father. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called 'Leaders,' for you have only one Leader, the Christ. The man who would be the greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever shall exalt himself will be humbled, and whoever shall humble himself will be exalted. But alas for you, Teachers of the Law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You turn the key of the Kingdom of Heaven in men's faces. For you do not go in yourselves, nor yet allow those who try to go in to do so. Alas for you, Teachers of the Law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You destroy widow's houses, even while pretending to make long prayers; therefore you shall receive greater condemnation. Alas for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You scour land and sea to make a single convert, and, when he is gained, you make him twice as deserving of the Pit as you are yourselves. Alas for you, you blind guides! You say 'if any answer by the Temple, his oath counts for nothing; but, if any one swears by the gold of the Temple, his oath is binding him'! Fools that you are and blind! Which is the more important? The gold? Or the Temple which has given sacredness to the gold? You say, too, 'If any one swears by the altar, his oath counts for nothing, but, if any one swears by the offering placed on it, his oath is binding on him'! Blind indeed! Which is the more important? The offering? or the altar which gives sacredness to the offering? Therefore a man, swearing by the altar, swears by it and by all that is on it, and a man, swearing by the Temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it, while a man, swearing by Heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits upon it. Alas for you, Teachers of the Law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You pay tithes on mint, fennel, and caraway seed, and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law--justice, mercy, and good faith. These last you ought to have put into practice, without neglecting the first. You blind guides, to strain out a gnat and to swallow a camel! Alas for you, Teachers of the Law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside they are filled with the results of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the dish, so that the outside may become clean as well. Alas for you, Teachers of the Law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed look fair outside, while inside they are filled with dead men's bones and all kinds of filth. It is the same with you. Outwardly, and to others, you have the look of religious men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and sin. Alas for you, Teachers of the Law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You build the tombs of the Prophets, and decorate the monuments of religious men, and say 'Had we been living in the days of our ancestors, we should have taken part in their murder of the Prophets! By doing this you are furnishing evidence against yourselves that you are true children of the men who murdered the Prophets. Fill up the measure of your ancestor's guilt. You serpents and brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to the Pit? That is why I send you Prophets, wise men, and Teachers of the Law, some of whom you will crucify and kill, and some of whom you will scourge in your Synagogues, and persecute from town to town; in order that upon your heads may fall every drop of innocent 'blood split on earth,' from the blood of innocent Abel down to that of Zechariah, Barachiah's son, whom you murdered between the Temple and the altar. All this, I tell you, will come home to the present generation.

In the course of his teaching, Jesus said: "See that you are on your guard against the Teachers of the Law, who delight to walk about in long robes, and to be greeted in the streets with respect, And to have the best seats in the Synagogues, and places of honor at dinner. They are the men that rob widows of their homes, and make a pretense of saying long prayers. Their sentence will be all the heavier."

While all the people were listening, Jesus said to the disciples: "Be on your guard against the Teachers of the Law, who delight to walk about in long robes, and like to be greeted in the streets with respect, and to have the best seats in the Synagogues, and places of honor at dinner. These are the men who rob widows of their houses, and make a pretense of saying long prayers. Their sentence will be all the heavier."

As Jesus finished speaking, a Pharisee asked him to breakfast with him, and Jesus went in and took his place at table. The Pharisee noticed, to his astonishment, that Jesus omitted the ceremonial washing before breakfast. But the Master said to him: "You Pharisees do, it is true, clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside you yourselves are filled with greed and wickedness.read more.
Fools! did not the maker of the outside make the inside too? Only give away what is in them in charity, and at once you have the whole clean. But alas for you Pharisees! You pay tithes on mint, rue, and herbs of all kinds, and pass over justice and love to God. These last you ought to have put into practice without neglecting the first. Alas for you Pharisees! You delight to have the front seat in the Synagogues, and to be greeted in the markets with respect. Alas for you! You are like unsuspected graves, over which men walk unawares." Here one of the Students of the Law interrupted him by saying: "Teacher, when you say this, you are insulting us also." But Jesus went on: "Alas for you, too, you Students of the Law! You load men with loads that are too heavy to carry, but do not, yourselves, touch them with one of your fingers. Alas for you! You build the monuments of the Prophets whom your ancestors killed. You are actually witnesses to your ancestors' acts and show your approval of them, because, while they killed the Prophets, you build tombs for them. That is why the Wisdom of God said--"I will send to them Prophets and Apostles, Some of whom they will persecute and kill, in order that the 'blood' of all the prophets 'that has been spilt' since the creation of the world may be exacted from this generation-- From the blood of Abel down to the blood of Zechariah, who was slain between the altar and the House of God." Yes, I tell you, it will be exacted from this generation. Alas for you Students of the Law! You have taken away the key of the door of Knowledge. You have not gone in yourselves and you have hindered those who try to go in."

Jesus said to his disciples: "There was a rich man who had a steward; and this steward was maliciously accused to him of wasting his estate. So the master called him and said 'What is this that I hear about you? Give in your accounts, for you cannot act as steward any longer.' 'What am I to do,' the steward asked himself, 'now that my master is taking the steward's place away from me? I have not strength to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.read more.
I know what I will do, so that, as soon as I am turned out of my stewardship, people may welcome me into their homes.' One by one he called up his master's debtors. 'How much do you owe my master?' he asked of the first. 'Four hundred and forty gallons of oil,' answered the man. 'Here is your agreement,' he said; 'sit down at once and make it two hundred and twenty.' And you, the steward said to the next, 'how much do you owe?' 'Seventy quarters of wheat,' he replied. 'Here is your agreement,' the steward said; 'make it fifty-six.' His master complimented this dishonest steward on the shrewdness of his action. And indeed men of the world are shrewder in dealing with their fellow-men than those who have the Light. And I say to you 'Win friends for yourselves with your dishonest money,' so that, when it comes to an end, there may be a welcome for you into the Eternal Home. He who is trustworthy in the smallest matter is trustworthy in a great one also; and he who is dishonest in the smallest matter is dishonest in a great one also. So, if you have proved untrustworthy with the 'dishonest money,' who will trust you with the true? And, if you have proved untrustworthy with what does not belong to us, who will give you what is really our own? No servant can serve two masters, for, either he will hate one and love the other, or else he will attach himself to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." All this was said within hearing of the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, and they began to sneer at Jesus. "You," said Jesus, "are the men who justify themselves before the world, but God can read your hearts; and what is highly esteemed among men may be an abomination in the sight of God.

Another time, speaking to people who were satisfied that they were religious, and who regarded every one else with scorn, Jesus told this parable-- "Two men went up into the Temple Courts to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer. The Pharisee stood forward and began praying to himself in this way--'O God, I thank thee that I am not like other men-- thieves, rogues, adulterers--or even like this tax-gatherer.read more.
I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.' Meanwhile the tax-gatherer stood at a distance, not venturing even 'to raise his eyes to Heaven'; but he kept striking his breast and saying 'O God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' This man, I tell you, went home pardoned, rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, while every one who humbles himself shall be exalted."

When Jesus left the house, the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to press him hard and question him closely upon many subjects, Laying traps for him, so as to seize upon anything that he might say.

And there some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man: "Courage, Child! Your sins are forgiven." Then some of the teachers of the Law said to themselves: "This man is blaspheming!" Knowing their thoughts, Jesus exclaimed: "Why do your cherish such wicked thoughts?read more.
Which, I ask, is the easier?--to say 'Your sins are forgiven'? or to say 'Get up, and walk about'? But, that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"--then he said to the paralyzed man-- "Get up, take up your bed, and return to your home." The man got up and went to his home.

And some people came bringing to him a paralyzed man, who was being carried by four bearers. Being, however, unable to get him near to Jesus, owing to the crowd, they removed the roofing below which Jesus was; and, when they had made an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man: "Child, your sins are forgiven."read more.
But some of the Teachers of the Law who were sitting there were debating in their minds: "Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God?" Jesus, at once intuitively aware that they wee debating with themselves in this way, said to them: "Why are you debating in your minds about this? Which is easier?--to say to the paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven'? or to say 'Get up, and take up your mat, and walk about'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power to forgive sins on earth"--here he said to the paralyzed man-- "To you I say, Get up, take up your mat, and return to your home." The man got up, and immediately took up his mat, and went out before them all; at which they were amazed, and, as they praised God, they said: "We have never seen anything like this!"

On one of those days, when Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and Doctors of the Law were sitting near by. (They had come from all the villages in Galilee and Judea, and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was upon Jesus, so that he could work cures.) And there some men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed. They tried to get him in and lay him before Jesus; But, finding no way of getting him in owing to the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him through the tiles, with his pallet, into the middle of the people and in front of Jesus.read more.
When he saw their faith, Jesus said: "Friend, your sins have been forgiven you." The Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began debating about this. "Who is this man who speaks so blasphemously?" they asked. "Who can forgive sins except God?" When Jesus became aware of the way in which they were debating, he turned to them and exclaimed: "What are you debating with yourselves? Which is the easier?--to say 'Your sins have been forgiven you'? or to say 'Get up, and walk about'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"-- he spoke to the paralyzed man-- "To you I say, Get up, and take up your pallet, and go to your home." Instantly the man stood up before their eyes, took up what he had been lying on, and went to his home, praising God. The people, one and all, were lost in amazement, and praised God; and in great awe they said: "We have seen marvelous things to-day!"

And, later on, when he was at table in the house, a number of tax-gatherers and outcasts came in and took their places at table with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples: "Why does your Teacher eat in the company of tax-gatherers and outcasts?" On hearing this, Jesus said: "It is not those who are in health that need a doctor, but those who are ill.read more.
Go and learn what this means--'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice'; for I did not come to call the religious, but the outcast."

And later on he was in his house at table, and a number of tax-gatherers and outcasts took their places at table with Jesus and his disciples; for many of them were following him. When the Teachers of the Law belonging to the party of the Pharisees saw that he was eating in the company of such people, they said to his disciples: "He is eating in the company of tax- gatherers and outcasts!" Hearing this, Jesus said: "It is not those who are in health that need a doctor, but those who are ill. I did not come to call the religious, but the outcast."

And Levi gave a great entertainment at his house, in honor of Jesus; and a large number of tax-gatherers and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law belonging to their party complained of this to the disciples of Jesus." In answer Jesus said: "It is not those who are well that need a doctor, but those who are ill.read more.
I have not come to call the religious, but the outcast, to repent."

Just as they were going out, some people brought up to Jesus a dumb man who was possessed by a demon; And, as soon as the demon had been driven out, the dumb man spoke. The people were astonished at this, and exclaimed: "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!" But the Pharisees said: "He drives out the demons by the help of the chief of the demons."

Then some people brought to Jesus a possessed man, who was blind and dumb; and he cured him, so that the man who had been dumb both talked and saw. At this all the people were astounded. "Is it possible that this is the son of David?" they exclaimed. But the Pharisees heard of it and said: "He drives out demons only by the help of Baal-zebub the chief of the demons."

And the Teachers of the Law, who had come down from Jerusalem, said: "He has Baal-zebub in him, and he drives the demons out by the help of Baal-zebub, their chief."

About the same time Jesus walked through the corn-fields one Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and began to pick some ears of wheat and eat them. But, when the Pharisees saw this, they said: "Look! your disciples are doing what it is not allowable to do on a Sabbath!"

One Sabbath, as Jesus was walking through the cornfields, his disciples began to pick the ears of wheat as they went along. "Look!" the Pharisees said to him, "why are they doing what is not allowed on the Sabbath?"

One Sabbath Jesus was walking through cornfields, and hi disciples were picking the ears of wheat, and rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. "Why are you doing what it is not allowable to do on the Sabbath?" asked some of the Pharisees.

The Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely, to see if he would work cures on the Sabbath, so that they might find a charge to bring against him.

They took the man, who had been blind, to the Pharisees. Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and gave him his sight. So the Pharisees also questioned the man as to how he had gained his sight. "He put clay on my eyes," he answered, "and I washed them, and I can see."read more.
"The man cannot be from God," said some of the Pharisees, "for he does not keep the Sabbath." "How is it possible," retorted others, "for a bad man to give signs like this?"

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to dine with him, so Jesus went to his house and took his place at table. Just then a woman, who was an outcast in the town, having ascertained that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of perfume, And placed herself behind Jesus, near his feet, weeping. Then she began to make his feet wet with her tears, and she dried them with the hair of her head, repeatedly kissing his feet and anointing them with the perfume.read more.
When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself: "Had this man been 'The Prophet,' he would have known who, and what sort of woman, this is who is touching him, and that she is an outcast."

The tax-gatherers and the outcasts were all drawing near to Jesus to listen to him; But the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law found fault. "This man always welcomes outcasts, and takes meals with them!" they complained.

When he had almost reached the place where the road led down the Mount of Olives, every one of the many disciples began in their joy to praise God loudly for all the miracles that they had seen: "Blessed is He who comes--Our King--in the name of the Lord! Peace in Heaven, And glory on high." Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him: "Teacher, reprove your disciples."read more.
But Jesus answered: "I tell you that if these men are silent, the very stones will call out."

"You are bearing testimony to yourself!" exclaimed the Pharisees, "your testimony is not trustworthy."

And Jesus added: "It was to put men to the test that I came into this world, in order that those that cannot see should see, and that those that can see should become blind." Hearing this, some of the Pharisees who were with him said: "Then are we blind too?" "If you had been blind," replied Jesus, "you would have had no sin to answer for; but, as it is, you say 'We can see,' and so your sin remains.

Immediately on leaving the Synagogue, the Pharisees and the Herodians united in laying a plot against Jesus, to put him to death.

On coming out, the Pharisees plotted against Jesus, to put him to death.

But the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees were goaded to madness, and consulted together what they could do to Jesus.

After listening to these parables, the Chief Priests and the Pharisees saw that it was about them that he was speaking; Yet, although eager to arrest him, they were afraid of the crowds, who regarded him as a Prophet.

After this his enemies were eager to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd; for they saw that it was at them that he had aimed the parable. So they let him alone, and went away.

After this the Teachers of the Law and the Chief Priest were eager to lay hands on Jesus then and there, but they were afraid of the people; for they saw that it was at them that he had aimed this parable.

Afterwards they sent to Jesus some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to set a trap for him in the course of conversation.

Having watched their opportunity, they afterwards sent some spies, who pretended to be good men, to catch Jesus in the course of conversation, and so enable them to give him up to the Governor's jurisdiction and authority.