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see, and have not seen them; and to heaven is like to a grain of mustard hear those things which ye hear, and seed, which a man took, and sowed in have not heard them. his field:

18

Hear ye, therefore, the para

ble' of the sower,

32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds; but when it is grown it is the 19 When any one heareth the word greatest among herbs, and becometh of the kingdom,2 and understandeth it a tree; so that the birds of the air not, then cometh the wicked one, and come and lodge in the branches therecatcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way-side.

of.

33 ¶ Another parable spake he unto them, The kingdom of heaven is like 20 But he that received the seed unto leaven, which a woman took, into stony places, the same is he that and hid in three measures of meal, till heareth the word, and anon3 with joy the whole was leavened. receiveth it:

34 All these things spake Jesus unto 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, the multitude in parables; and withbut dureth for a while; for when tri- out a parable spake he not unto bulation or persecution ariseth because them: of the word, by and by he is offended.4 35 That it might be fulfilled which 22 He also that received seed among was spoken by the prophet, saying, I the thorns, is he that heareth the will open my mouth in parables; I word; and the care of this world, and will utter things which have been the deceitfulness of riches, choke the kept secret from the foundation of the word, and he becometh unfruitful. world.

23 But he that received seed into 36 Then Jesus sent the multitude the good ground is he that heareth the away, and went into the house; and word, and understandeth it; which his disciples came unto him, saying, also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, Declare unto us the parable of the some an hundred-fold, some sixty, tares of the field. some thirty.

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field;

25 But, while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

37 He answered, and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As, therefore, the tares are ga27 So the servants of the house-thered and burned in the fire; so shall holder came, and said unto him, Sir, it be in the end of this world. didst not thou sow good seed in thy 41 The Son of man shall send forth field? from whence then hath it tares? his angels, and they shall gather out 28 He said unto them, An enemy of his kingdom all things that offend, hath done this. The servants said and them which do iniquity, unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye to- 44 T Again, the kingdom of heaven gether first the tares, and bind them is like unto treasure hid in a field; the in bundles to burn them; but gather which when a man hath found he the wheat into my barn. hideth, and, for joy thereof, goeth and 31 ¶ Another parable put he forth selleth all that he hath, and buyeth unto them, saying, The kingdom of that field.

45 T Again, the kingdom of heaven

1 Parable, a similitude or comparison, which is like unto a merchant-man seeking

in a fabulous or figurative manner conveys goodly pearls:

moral and spiritual truth.

2 The word of the kingdom, the Gospel.

3 Anon, immediately.

4 Is offended, relapseth, or falleth into sin.

46 Who, when he had found one

5 Leaven, yeast.

pearl of great price, went and sold all the dead; and therefore mighty works that he had, and bought it. do shew forth themselves in him.

47 T Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind : 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

49 So shall it be at the end of the world; the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,

50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

31 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.

4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

5 And when he would have put him to death he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

6 But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here 52 Then said he unto them, There- John Baptist's head in a charger.2 fore every scribe which is instructed 9 And the king was sorry; neverunto the kingdom of heaven is like theless, for the oath's sake, and them unto a man that is an householder, which sat with him at meat, he comwhich bringeth forth out of his trea-manded it to be given her.

sure things new and old.

10 And he sent and beheaded John

53 And it came to pass, that, when in the prison. Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.

54 And when he was come into his own country he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

?

55 Is not this the carpenter's son Is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

58 And he did not many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Questions. What parables are given in this chapter?

Why did not Jesus perform many miracles in his own country?

CHAP. XIV.

11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel; and she brought it to her mother.

12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

13 When Jesus heard of it he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart; and, when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

15 And when it was evening his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past;3 send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. 17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves and two fishes.

18 He said, Bring them hither to

me.

19 And he commanded the multi1 Herod's opinion of Jesus. 3 John tude to sit down on the grass, and took Baptist beheaded. 15 Five thousand the five loaves and the two fishes, and, fed. looking up to heaven, he blessed, and AT that time Herod the tetrarch1 brake, and gave the loaves to his disheard of the fame of Jesus, ciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from

6 Sever, separate.

7 Save, except.

1 Tetrarch, governor of a fourth part of a kingdom or country.

20 And they did all eat, and were filled; and they took up of the frag

2 Charger, a basin.

3 The time is now past, the day is far spent.

ments that remained twelve baskets! full.

21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and child.en.

How many were fed with five loaves and two fishes?

In what country did Jesus heal all that were diseased?

CHAP. XV.

22 And straightway4 Jesus constrained is disciples to get into a ship, 2 God's commandments, and men's

and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes

away.

traditions. 10 What defileth a man. THEN came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem,

23 And when he had sent the multi-saying, tudes away, he went up into a moun- 2 Why do thy disciples transgress tain apart to pray; and when the the tradition' of the elders ; for they evening was come he was there alone. wash not their hands when they eat 24 But the ship was now in the bread. midst of the sea tossed with waves;| for the wind was contrary.

3 But he answered, and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the 25 And in the fourth watch of the commandment of God by your tradinight Jesus went unto them walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him, and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Je

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tion?

4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother; and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me,

6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

7 Ye hypocrites! well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth

a man.

12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended after they heard this saying?

13 But he answered, and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

14 Let them alone; they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

15 Then answered Peter, and said

1 Tradition, something handed down from age to age without being committed to writing; laws of the Jews not recorded in the Old Testament.

2 Elders, the ancients; ancient rulers or officers; ancestors.

unto him, Declare unto us this para-send them away fasting, lest they faint ble. in the way.

16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught:

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and they defile the man?

33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness as to fill so great a multitude?

34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

19 For out of the heart proceed 36 And he took the seven loaves evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, for- and the fishes, and gave thanks, and nications, thefts, false witness, blas-brake them, and gave to his disciples, phemies;

20 These are the things which_defile a man; but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a-man.

21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Si'don.

22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

24 But he answered, and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the 1 house of Israel.

25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord help me.

26 But he answered, and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

27 And she said, Truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.

28 Then Jesus answered, and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

29 ¶ And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Gali lee, and went up into a mountain, and

sat down there.

30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet, and he healed them;

and the disciples to the multitude.

37 And they did all eat, and were filled; and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beides women and children.

39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magda la.

Questions. How did the Scribes and Pharisees transgress the law? v. 3-6. What things defile a man? v. 18, 19. To whom was Jesus sent ? What miracles are mentioned ?

CHAP. XVI.

The Pharisees desire a sign. 6 The leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 21 Jesus foresheweth his death.

ducees, came, and tempting, desired THE Pharisees also, with the Sad' him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.1

2 He answered, and said unto them, fair weather, for the sky is red: When it is evening, ye say, It will be

weather to-day, for the sky is red and 3 And in the morning, It will be foul lowering. O ye hypocrites! ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times ?2

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there sign of the prophet Jonas. And he shall no sign be given unto it, but the left them, and departed.

5 And when his disciples were come to the other side they had forgotten to take bread.

wished to see our Saviour produce some won1 A sign from heaven, a miracle: they derful appearance in the heavens.

31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see; and they glorified the God of Israel. 2 Signs of the times; Do you not perceive, 32 Then Jesus called his disciples by comparing the present state of the world unto him, and said, I have compassion with prophecy, and by the correspondence of on the multitude, because they con- formed by the Messiah, that this is the time of my miracles with those which should be pertinue with me now three days, and his coming, and that I am indeed the very perhave nothing to eat; and I will not son, your long expected Saviour?

6 T Then Jesus said unto them,

20 Then charged he his disciples, Take heed, and beware of the leaven that they, should tell no man that he of the Pharisees, and of the Saddu- was Jesus the Christ.

cees.

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the Sad'ducees?

12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Cesare'a Philip'pi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias ;3 and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter;6 and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.7

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21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders, and chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord; this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan; thou art an offence unto me; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

24 T Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.8

25 For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake, shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

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28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here which shall not taste of death till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Questions. Of what did our Lord teach his

disciples to beware?

Whom did the people say that Jesus was? What did our Lord begin at this time to teach?

What is taught from verse 24 to the end? see note.

CHAP. XVII.

1 Transfiguration of Jesus; 14, he
healeth the lunatic.

Peter, James, and John his brother,
AND after six days Jesus taketh

shall by divine assistance establish for the
order of the church and the benefit of religion,
they shall be approved and confirmed by God.

8 Verse 24. The doctrine taught in this and the following verses is, that in order to become the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must repent and be converted: we must abandon our natural, unholy desires. and our worldly and selfish intentions. We must, in short, deny ourselves entirely; and regard nothing that belongs to us, as pure, or worthy of divine favour. When the Son of man shall be revealed to our minds, to judge us according to the real character of our thoughts and affections, it will be found that nothing will stand in His judgment, but self-abasement, and the desire of being filled with wisdom and love from our Lord Jesus Christ.

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