Jesus Praises John The Baptist
When John heard in prison what Jesus was doing, he sent his disciples to
ask him, "Are you the Promised One who is coming, or are we to look for
some one else?" Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you see and
hear: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf
hear, the dead are brought back to life, and the poor have the good
news told to them. Blessed is the man who does not lose faith in me."
As the disciples of John went away, Jesus talked to the people about
John: "What did you go into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the
wind? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Men
dressed like that live in palaces. But why did you go out? To see a
prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet! This is he of whom it
is written:
"'Behold, I send my messenger before you,
Who shall make the way ready for you.'
"I tell you, no man has appeared who is greater than John the Baptist;
and yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.
"To what shall I compare the people of to-day? They are like children
sitting in the market-places, who call to their playmates and say:
"'We played the pipes for you but you would not dance;
We cried but you would not lament.'
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and men said, 'He has an evil
spirit!' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and men say, 'He is a
great eater and drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!' But
what I do shows that I am wise and right."
Now when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in
public and delighted him. Thereupon he promised with an oath that he
would give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said
to him, "Give me here on a dish the head of John the Baptist." Although
the king did not wish to do it, yet because of his oath and his guests
he ordered that it be given her. So he commanded that John be beheaded
in prison, and his head was brought on a dish and given to the girl, and
she brought it to her mother. Then John's disciples came and carried
away the body to bury it.
More
-
Jacobs Dream
Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing which his father had given him. And Esau said to himself, "My father will soon die; then I will kill Jacob, my brother." When the words of her older son Esau were told to Rebekah, she sent for her younger ... Jephthahs Foolish Promise
Jephthah, the Gileadite, was an able warrior, but he was the son of a wicked woman, and had fled from his relatives and lived in the land of Tob. There certain rascals gathered about him, and they used to go out on raids with him. After a time th... Jeremiahs Call To Do A Hard Tas
This was the message which came to me from Jehovah: "Before you were born I knew you and prepared you for your work. I have appointed you to be a prophet to the nations." But I (Jeremiah) said: "O Lord Jehovah! I do not know how to speak in public, ... Jeremiahs Courage In Danger
The command came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, "Stand in the door of the temple and speak this message: 'Hear the word of Jehovah, all you people of Judah who enter these gates to worship him. Jehovah, the God of Israel, says: Change your ways and your ... Jerusalem Made The Capital City
David and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the people of the land who had said to David, "You shall not come in here, for the blind and the lame will turn you back," for they thought, "David cannot come in here." But David took th... Jesus Brings Lazarus Back To Lif
Now a certain man, Lazarus of Bethany, was sick. He was the brother of Martha and of the Mary who anointed the Master with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair. Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. So the sisters sent word to him, "M... Jesus Calls Together His Friends
Jesus went up on the hillside near Capernaum and called to him the men whom he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve to be with him and to go out to preach, with power to cast out evil spirits. These were the twelve disciples: Simon to w... Jesus Calms The Storm
Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples, and a crowd followed him from Galilee. Also from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea the other side of the Jordan, and from the country about Tyre and Sidon a great number, having heard what he was doing, came to h... Jesus Condemns Those Who Pretend
The common people were listening to Jesus eagerly. As he taught he said, "Be on your guard against the scribes, who like to walk about in long robes and to have the people bow to them in the market-places. They like to sit in the front seats in the ... Jesus Conquers Death
When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices to embalm Jesus. Soon after sunrise on the first day of the week they went to the tomb, and they said to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us... Jesus Cures A Blind Man
As Jesus was passing along the road he saw a man who was born blind, and the disciples asked him, "Master, for whose sin, his own or his parents', was this man born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither for his own sin nor his parents', but that God's po... Jesus Cures A Man Who Cannot Wal
When Jesus entered Capernaum again, after some days, it was reported that he was at home, and so many people gathered about him that there was no longer room for them, not even at the door. While Jesus was preaching to them, four men came, carrying ... Jesus Decides How He Will Do His
At this time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And as he was coming up from the water, he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down upon him. And a voice from heaven said, "... Jesus Eats The Last Supper With
Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the high priests with the intention of betraying Jesus. And when they heard, they rejoiced, promising to give him money; and he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. On the first day ... Jesus Encourages His Friends And
Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many homes; if it were not so, I would have told you, for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will ... Jesus Feeds The Hungry
When Herod the ruler of Galilee heard what Jesus was doing, he was greatly puzzled, for some said that John had come back from the dead, some that Elijah had appeared, and others that one of the old prophets had come to life again. Herod said, "I ha... Jesus Fights Wrong In The Temple
About this time certain people came to tell Jesus of the Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices. He said to them, "Do you believe that these Galileans were worse sinners than the rest? No, I tell you; and unless you are... Jesus Finds Joy In All His Work
Once when John's disciples and the Pharisees were keeping a fast, people came to Jesus and said, "Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus said to them, "Can guests fast at a wedd... Jesus Gives His Last Commands To
While the two disciples were speaking, Jesus himself stood among them. And they were frightened and believed that they saw a ghost; but he said to them, "Why are you so frightened? Why do you doubt? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Tou... Jesus Heals A Little Girl
When Jesus again crossed the Sea of Galilee in a boat to the other side, a large crowd had gathered to meet him; so he stayed beside the sea. One of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came up, and, on seeing Jesus, fell at his feet and ear... Jesus Heals The Sick
Jesus and his disciples entered Capernaum; and on the next Sabbath he went into the synagogue and began to teach. And the people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. In their synago... Jesus In The Hands Of His Enemie
The men who seized Jesus mocked him and flogged him. They also blindfolded him and said, "Prophet, tell us who is it that struck you?" And they said many other things, insulting him. At daybreak they brought him before the council at which were ga... Jesus Is Born At Bethlehem
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a young woman named Mary in Nazareth, a town of Galilee. She was to be married to a man named Joseph of the family of David. When he came to her the angel said: "Hail, highly honored one! God is with you!" S... Jesus Is Crucified By His Enemie
The soldiers led Jesus to the courtyard of the governor's palace and called together the whole company. Then they clothed him in a purple robe and, making a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" ... Jesus Is Gladly Welcomed By The
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples, followed by a large crowd, there sat by the road a blind beggar, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus). When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he cried out, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me!" Man... Jesus Is Glorified
Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain where they were alone, and in their presence he was transfigured. His clothes glistened with a dazzling whiteness such as no bleaching could give on earth. And there appeared to them... Jesus Is Kind To A Stranger
Certain Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Go away from here; for Herod wishes to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'See, I cast out evil spirits and cure the sick to-day and to-morrow, but on the third day I must go on my wa... Jesus Is Seized By The Mob
When Jesus and his disciples came to a certain place called Gethsemane, he said to them, "Sit here while I pray"; but he took with him Peter and James and John. And as he suffered greatly from deep sorrow, he said to them, "My heart is heavy with sa... Jesus Makes An Heroic Choice
On their way to the villages of Caesarea Philippi Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say I am?" They told him, "John the Baptist; others say, 'Elijah'; some say, 'One of the prophets.'" Then he said to them, "But you yourselves, who do you sa... Jesus Makes Even Wrong-doers His
Then Jesus went out again beside the Sea of Galilee; and all the crowd came to him, and he taught them. As he passed along he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the house where taxes were collected, and he said to him, "Come with me." So Levi... Jesus Makes The Wicked Zaccheus
As Jesus passed through Jericho a man named Zaccheus, who was the chief tax-gatherer and rich, tried to see what Jesus was like, but could not on account of the crowd and because he was short. So he ran ahead and climbed into a sycamore-tree to see ... Jesus Praises A Woman Who Gave H
While Jesus was at dinner at Bethany in the house of Simon, the jar-maker, a woman came in with an alabaster jar of pure perfume, which was very costly. Breaking the jar she poured the perfume over his head. Some said to each other in indignation, "... Jesus Praises John The Baptist
When John heard in prison what Jesus was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the Promised One who is coming, or are we to look for some one else?" Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you see and hear: the blind see, the lame wa... Jesus Sends Out The First Missio
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news about the Kingdom of God, and healing all kinds of diseases and weaknesses. At sight of the crowds, troubled and scattered like sheep without a shep... Jesus Talks With A Samaritan Wom
When Jesus left Judea and went back into Galilee, he had to pass through Samaria; and he came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the piece of ground that Jacob gave his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus, therefore, being wearied by... Jesus Tells How One May Become G
Leaving Caesarea Philippi, Jesus and his disciples passed through Galilee; but he wished no one to know of this, for he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man will be betrayed and men will put him to death, but in three days he... Jesus Tells What He Came To Do
Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light which gives life." As Jesus spoke these words many believed in him. Then he said to the Jews who had believed in him, "... Jesus Tells What It Means To Be
The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem went together to Jesus, because they had seen that some of his disciples ate their food without washing their hands as the scribes thought necessary. For the Pharisees and all the Jew... Jesus Visits His Old Home
Jesus went to Nazareth where he had been brought up. As was his custom, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read the lesson. And he was given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, and on unrolling it he found the place where it is... Jesus Walks And Talks With Two O
On the same day two of Jesus' disciples were on their way to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem; and as they talked together about what had happened, Jesus himself drew near and went with them; but their eyes were kept from kn... Jesus Warns His Disciples
As Jesus went out of the Temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Master, see what great stones and what a beautiful building!" Then Jesus answered, "This Temple, made by man's hands, shall be destroyed. But another will soon arise, made without h... Jesus Wins Devoted Friends
Herod seized John the Baptist and bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for John said to him, "It is not right for you to have her." And although Herod wanted to put him to death, he was afraid of the peopl... John The Baptist Tells Of Jesus
While Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea and Herod was ruler of Galilee, a man named John, the son of Zachariah, lived in the desert country. And God commanded him and he went into all the country around the river Jordan calling upon men to be bap... Jonah The Narrow-minded Patriot
This message from Jehovah came to Jonah, the son of Amittai: "Arise, go to that great city, Nineveh, and preach against it; for their wickedness is known to me." But Jonah started to flee to Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah. He went down to Jop... Jonathans Brave Deed
Saul picked out three thousand men from the Israelites. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and on the highland of Bethel, and a thousand were with his son Jonathan in Gibeah. But Saul had sent the rest of the people each to his home. Then Jo... Jonathans Love For David
Then David went and found Jonathan and said, "What have I done? What is my guilt, and what is my sin in the mind of your father, that he is seeking my life?" Jonathan replied, "No, no! You shall not die. You know that my father does nothing great or... Joseph Sold As A Slave By His Br
When Joseph was seventeen years old, he and his brothers were shepherds, but he made them angry, for he brought a bad report about them to their father. Now Jacob loved his son Joseph, who was born in his old age; and he made him a long coat with sl... Josephs Eagerness To Help Other
Joseph was taken down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an Egyptian, one of Pharaoh's officers, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites. Now Jehovah was with Joseph, so that he prospered; and he was in the house of his master, the Egyptia... Josephs Forgiveness Of His Brot
When Judah and his brothers came back to Joseph's house, Joseph was still there; and they threw themselves before him on the ground. Joseph said to them, "What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me can always tell whe... Josephs Loyalty To His Family
The news that Joseph's brothers had arrived became known in Pharaoh's palace; and it pleased Pharaoh and his servants greatly. Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, 'Do this: load your beasts, go to the land of Canaan, and take your father ... Lots Escape From A Wicked City
And Abraham went along with them to start them on their way. Jehovah said, "The complaint has come that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah have committed great and terrible sins. I will go down and see whether they have done exactly as the complaint c... Making The Best Of Trouble
Then David said to himself, "I shall be killed some day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up hope and search no more for me in all the land of Israel; and so I wi... Mans Place In Gods World
O Lord, our God, how glorious Is thy name in all the earth! Thou hast spread thy splendor over the heavens; At the cry of babes and infants Thou hast set up a bulwark, because of thine enemies, To ... Meeting A Brother Who Had Been W
In time Jacob became very wealthy, and he had large flocks, slaves, and asses. But he heard Laban's sons say, "Jacob has taken all that was our father's, and from that which was our father's he has gotten all this wealth." He also saw that Laban did... Micaiahs Courage In Telling The
For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel. But in the third year, when Jehoshaphat the ruler of Judah came to visit the ruler of Israel, Ahab said to his followers, "Do you not know that Ramoth in Gilead belongs to us; yet we sit stil... Nehemiahs Answer To A Call For
In the twentieth year of Artaxerxes' reign, in the month of November, I (Nehemiah) was in Shushan, the royal palace, when Hanani, one of my brothers, and certain men came from Judah. I asked them about Jerusalem and about the Jews who were left from... Noah And The Great Flood
When Jehovah saw that men were growing more wicked in the world and that their thoughts were always evil, he was greatly grieved and regretted that he had made man. Therefore, Jehovah said, "I will completely destroy all living beings from off the... Our Duties To God And Man
Hear O Israel: Jehovah our God is the one Lord. You shall love Jehovah your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Behold, the heavens, the highest heavens, the earth and all that is on it belong to Jehovah your ... Overcoming Great Difficulties
Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was so angry and indignant that he mocked the Jews. He spoke before his tribesmen and the army of Samaria and said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they leave it to God? Will they... Paul And Barnabas In Foreign Lan
Paul and Barnabas, sent by the Holy Spirit, went to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. When they came to Salamis, they, with Mark as their helper, told God's message in the Jewish synagogue. When they had gone over the whole island as far a... Paul And Silas In Macedonia
One day as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave girl met us who was under the control of a spirit that made her clairvoyant, so that she brought great gain to her owners by fortune-telling. She kept following Paul and the rest of us, crying... Paul Writes To His Friends At Th
Paul and Silas and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians which lives in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May good-will and peace be granted to you. We thank God always for you all and mention you in our prayers, for we constantly ... Paul Writes To His Friends In Co
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and brother Sosthenes to the church of God at Corinth. I thank God continually for the blessing which he has given you through Jesus Christ. Through him you have been so richly and ... Paul Writes To The Christians At
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart to tell God's good news about Jesus Christ our Lord, to all God's loved ones who are in Rome and have been called to be his people: Love to you, and peace from God our Father and th...