The New Testament Simplified – Page 5

Matthew Chapter 25 Simplified: What does Jesus say about how we should serve God and others?

Published on January 2023July 2023 by Dave1 Comment

“At that time, the Heavenly Kingdom will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the groom. Five of them were stupid and five were wise, and the stupid ones forgot to bring extra olive oil for their lamps. The wise ones brought olive oil for their lamps.

The groom was late, and the ten became tired and fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, someone shouted, “Look, it’s the groom! Come and meet him!”

The virgins got up and prepared their lamps. The stupid ones said to the wise ones, “Give us your olive oil because we are running out.”

The wise ones answered, “There isn’t enough oil to share. Go buy some.”

While the stupid ones were away buying olive oil, the groom arrived. The wise ones who were ready to go went with him to the wedding celebration, and the door was shut behind them.

The other virgins eventually arrived and said, “Sir, sir! Open up!”.

The groom answered, “I’m telling you, I don’t know you!”

So be ready, because you don’t know when it will happen.

“It is like a man going away. He called his servants and asked them to look after his things.

He gave one servant five coins. He gave another two coins. He gave another one coin. This was due to their differing abilities. He then immediately left on his journey.

The servant who received five coins went and invested them and gained five more. The servant who received two coins also invested them and gained two more. But the servant who received one coin dug a hole and buried his master’s coin.

A long time later, the master returned to check on the servants. The servant who received the five coins showed the five extra coins and said, “Sir, you gave me five coins. Look, I’ve gained five more.”

The master replied, “Good job, good and trusted servant. You were trustworthy with a few things so I’ll put you in charge of many things. Come into the happiness of your master!”

The servant who received two coins came and said, “Sir, you gave me two coins. Look, I’ve gained two more.”

The master replied, “Good job, good and trusted servant. You were trustworthy with a few things so I’ll put you in charge of many things. Come into the happiness of your master!”

The servant who received one coin came and said, “Sir, I know you are a mean person, harvesting what you did not grow and gathering from places you didn’t plant the seeds. I was afraid and hid your coin in the ground. Look, now you have it back.

His master answered, “You’re an evil and lazy servant. If you know I harvest what I don’t grow and gather from places where I didn’t plant the seeds, then you should have put my money in the bank so that I would have gotten back my coin plus interest. So take the coin from him and give it to the other servant with ten coins.

For everyone who has it, they will be given more, and they will have heaps. For anyone who doesn’t have it, even what they have will be taken. Throw the worthless servant into the outside darkness where there is crying and teeth grinding.”

“When the Son of Man gloriously arrives with the angels, he will sit on his glorious throne. Everyone on earth will come before him. He will sort them like a shepherd sorting sheep from goats. He will sort sheep to the right and goats to the left.

The king will say to those on the right, “Let’s go. My father blesses you. You can receive the kingdom that has been prepared for you from the world’s foundations. Because you gave me food when I was hungry. You gave me a drink when I was thirsty. I was a stranger and you invited me in as a guest. You gave me clothes when I was naked. You cared for me when I was sick. You came to me when I was in prison.”

The good people will answer, “Lord, when did we feed you or give you something to drink? When did we welcome you in as a guest or give you clothes? When did we care for you or visit you in prison?

The king will reply, “I’m telling you, when you did those things to the least of my brothers, you did it to me.

The king will say to the people on his left, “Go away, cursed people, into the eternal fire that is ready for the devil and his angels. Because you didn’t feed me when I was hungry or give me a drink when I was thirsty. You didn’t welcome me in when I was a stranger, give me clothes when I was naked or care for me when I was sick or in prison.

The ones on his left will also say, “Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, as a stranger, naked, sick or in prison and not serve you?

The king will answer, “I’m telling you, as you didn’t do it to the least of people, you didn’t do it for me.”

They will go into eternal suffering, but the good will go into living forever.

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Continue exploring Matthew 25

If you’d like to read Matthew 25 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 25 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 25 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 25 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore Matthew in more depth, here are some commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew
Matthew (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Matthew Chapter 24 Simplified: Jesus warns about how unexpected the future will be

Published on November 2022July 2023 by DaveLeave a comment

Jesus was leaving the temple when his disciples pointed out the temple buildings.

Jesus said to them, “Don’t you see everything? I’m telling you, no stone will remain on top of another stone. They will all fall down.”

The disciples met with him privately on the Mount of Olives. They asked, “When will it happen? What are the signs of your return and the end of time?”

Jesus answered, “Watch out that no one tricks you because many people will arrive in my name and say, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will trick many people. You are going to hear about wars and rumours of wars. Don’t be concerned because these must happen, but it’s not the end yet. Cultures will go against other cultures, and countries will go against other countries. There will be famines and disasters, but these are all just the beginning of the pain.

“Then they will attack and kill you, and you’ll be hated by everyone because of me. Then, many people will be made to sin and betray and hate each other. Many fake prophets will arrive and trick many people. Because there will be more illegal activities, many people will stop loving each other. But the person who lasts to the end will be saved. And this good news about the kingdom will be announced as evidence to everyone, everywhere. Then the end will come. So when you see the horrible destruction that the prophet Daniel spoke about when he was standing in the holy place (if you read it, you’ll understand) then those people in Judea need to run away into the mountains. Whoever is on their roof shouldn’t get down to grab things from inside their house. Whoever is on their farm shouldn’t return to grab their coat. And it will be horrible for pregnant women breastfeeding during that time

So pray that your escape does not happen in winter or on the Sabbath because there will be many troubles; worse than have ever happened since the start of time or will happen in the future. Unless that time is reduced, no one will be rescued. But, for the chosen ones, that time will be reduced. During that time if anyone says to you, “Look, this is the Christ” or “This is Christ over here”, don’t believe them. Fake ‘Christs’ and prophets will appear and make amazing powers and miracles happen to trick, if they can, even the chosen ones. Listen up, I’ve told you this before it happens. So if anyone says, “Look, he is in the wilderness”, don’t go there. If they say, “Look, he’s inside”, don’t believe them. Because, just like lightning is in the east and flashes all the way to the west, the arrival of the Son of Man will happen. The vultures will gather wherever there is a dead body.

Straight after those days of trouble, The sun will go dark, the moon won’t shine, the stars will fall from the sky and the sky’s power will be shaken up. Then, the Son of Man’s signs will appear in the sky and everyone on earth will grieve. Then they will see the Son of Man come on sky clouds with strength and great glory. He will then send his angels out with a loud trumpeting and the angels will gather his chosen people together from across the earth; from one end of the sky to the other.

Now learn the story about the fig tree: When its branch becomes soft and grows leaves, you know summer is coming. In the same way, when you see all these things happen, know that the end is near, right at the door.

I’m honestly telling you this generation of people will not disappear until these things happen.

The whole universe and earth will disappear, but my words will stay.

However, no one, not even the heavenly angels or the son, knows the day and hour when it will happen. Only the father knows.

The Son of Man’s arrival will be just like during Noah’s time. Before the flood, people were eating and drinking and marrying and having weddings until Noah got into the boat. They didn’t know what was coming until the flood came and took them all away. The Son of Man’s arrival will be just like that. Two people will be on the farm. One will be taken and one will be left behind. Two people will be grinding grain at the mill. One will be taken and one will be left behind. So be alert because you don’t know when your Lord is arriving. But know this: If the master of the house knew during which guard’s shift the thief would come, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be burgled. In the same way, you should also be ready because the Son of God is coming when you won’t expect it.

So who is the dependable and wise slave who the master has put in charge of the rest of the slaves and gives them food at the right time? If the slave is doing this when the master returns, the slave will be rewarded. I’m honestly telling you the master will put that slave in charge of everything he owns. But if a bad slave thinks, “My master is away for a long time” then he beats the other slaves and eats and drinks with other drunk people, the slave’s master will return unexpectedly. The master will cut the slave in half and put him with the other fakers; a place where there will be crying and teeth grinding.

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Continue exploring Matthew 24

If you’d like to read Matthew xx in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 24 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 24 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 24 in the Contemporary English Version.

Matthew Chapter 23 Simplified: Jesus tells off the Pharisees

Published on March 2022July 2023 by DaveLeave a comment

Jesus said to the crowds and his disciples, “The Pharisees and religious teachers sit on Moses’ seat. So, do everything they tell you to do, but don’t do what they actually do. They don’t practice what they preach. They create heavy burdens that are hard to hold and place them on men’s shoulders but aren’t willing to move the burdens themselves with even their fingers. Everything they do is done to be seen by other people. They make their accessories and clothing fancier. They love to sit at the head of the table at banquets and in the front row in the assemblies, love being greeted in the markets, and being called ‘Teacher’. But, don’t call yourselves ‘Teacher’, because you have a teacher. You are all brothers. Don’t call anyone on earth ‘Father’, because you have a father who is in heaven. Also, don’t be called ‘Master’. Christ is your one master. The greatest here will be your servant. So anyone who helps themselves succeed will be made low, and anyone who makes themselves low will succeed.

I’m sorry for you, scholars and Pharisees. You are fakers because you close off the kingdom of heaven from everyone. You don’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let anyone else in.

I’m sorry for you, scholars and Pharisees. You are fakers because you take over widow’s houses and say long prayers just for show. You will receive a harsher punishment because of this.

I’m sorry for you, scholars and Pharisees. You are fakers because you travel everywhere to convert people, and when someone converts, you make them ready for hell even more than yourselves.

I’m sorry for you, you guides to the blind. You say, ‘It means nothing to give promises to the temple, but if you make promises to the temple’s gold, you owe us.’

You blind idiots! What is more important? Gold, or the temple that set apart the gold for God? You say, if someone makes a promise on the altar it means nothing. But if someone makes a promise on the gifts on the altar, they are obligated to follow through with the promise.

You blind men. What is more important? The gift or the altar which sets the gift apart for God. If someone makes a promise by the altar, they are making a promise by the altar and the gifts that are on it. If someone makes a promise by the temple, they are making a promise by the one who lives in it. If someone makes a promise by heaven, they make a promise by God’s throne and the one sitting on it.

I feel sorry for you teachers and Pharisees. You are fakers! You give mint, dill and cumin but have forgotten the more important law matters including justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have done these things, not forgetting to do anything.

You blind guides! You filter out the flies but swallow the camel!

I feel sorry for you, teachers and Pharisees. You are fakers! You clean the outside of the cup and dish but inside they are full of greed and no self-control. You blind Pharisees! Clean the inside of the cup and the dish first so that the outside can be clean as well.

I feel sorry for you, teachers and Pharisees. You are fakers! You are like graves that have been decorated. Outside they look beautiful, but inside they are full of dead people’s bones and impurities. In the same way, you look good to people on the outside, but inside you are full of fake and illegal stuff.

I feel sorry for you, teachers and Pharisees. You are fakers! You build graves for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the good people. You also say that if you lived in the previous generation, you wouldn’t have taken part in killing the prophets.

So you admit that you are descendants of the people who killed the prophets. Finish what your ancestors started. You snakes! Sons of vipers! How are you going to escape hell?

This is why I’ve sent prophets and wise men and teachers to you. You will torture and kill some of them. Some of them you will flog in your synagogues and hunt them from town to town until all the good people’s deaths will be your fault, from the death of the good man Abel until the death of Berekiah’s son Zechariah, who you killed between the temple and the altar. I’m honestly telling you, All this will happen to this generation.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem is killing the prophets and stoning the people sent to her. I often gathered your children together, like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not interested! Look, the abandoned house is yours. I’m telling you, you won’t see me from now until you say, ‘We bless the one coming in the Lord’s name.'”

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Continue exploring Matthew 23

If you’d like to read Matthew 23 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 23 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 23 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 23 in the Contemporary English Version.

Matthew Chapter 22 Simplified: The Pharisees try and trick Jesus

Published on April 2021July 2023 by DaveLeave a comment

Jesus answered the Pharisees using another story:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who organised a wedding feast for his son. He sent his servants to escort everyone who had been invited to the wedding feast, but no one wanted to come. He sent more servants. “Tell those I invited that the feast is ready. My oxen and the cattle have been prepared and served. Come to the wedding feast.”

But those that were invited didn’t pay any attention. One went into his field and another went off to work. Others captured the servants, tortured and killed them.

The king was angry. He sent his armies, killed the murderers and burned down their city.

Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those that were invited don’t deserve it. Go out to the streets, find as many people as you can and invite them to the wedding feast.’

The servants went out to the streets and gathered as many people, good and bad, as they could. The wedding hall filled up with guests.

The king arrived to see everyone sitting down. He saw someone not dressed in wedding clothes. ‘My friend, how did you get in here without having wedding clothes?’

The man didn’t reply.

The king said to his servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet and throw him out into the dark, where there will be crying and teeth grinding.’

“This is because many people are called but few people are chosen.”

The Pharisees left and discussed together how they might cause Jesus to incriminate himself with what he said.

They sent their followers with the Herodians to Jesus. “Teacher, we know you tell the truth and you teach about God truthfully, and you don’t care what anyone thinks of you, because you don’t look for people’s approval. So, tell us what you think. Is it legal to pay taxes to Caesar?

Jesus knew they were being dodgy. “Why are you testing me, you fakes? Show me the coins used for taxes.”

They gave him a coin.

“Who does this look like? What does this say?”

“Caesar,” they replied.

“So, give Caesar everything that belongs to him, and give God everything that belongs to God.”

The Pharisees were amazed at what they heard and left Jesus.

That same day, Sadducees (they didn’t believe in the resurrection) came and asked Jesus, “Teacher, Moses said if a man dies without children, his brother should marry his wife and raise up children for the brother. Seven brothers used to live here. The first brother got married but died without children, so he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second brother, and again to the third brother all the way until the seventh brother. Finally, the woman died.

“After the resurrection, which of the seven brothers will be the woman’s husband? They were all married to her.”

Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re talking about because you don’t know the scriptures or the power of God. After the resurrection, people don’t marry or have weddings. Instead, they will be like God’s angels in heaven.

“Regarding the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read what God said?

‘I am the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.’ He’s God of the living, not the dead.

The crowds were shocked at what Jesus was teaching.

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had shut up the Sadducees, they met together.

A religious law expert tested Jesus by asking, “Teacher, which is the most important command in the Law?”

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind’,” Jesus replied. “This is the first and most important command. The second most important command is similar: ‘Love your neighbour as much as you love yourself.’ The rest of the laws and the Prophets’ teachings are based on these two commands.”

Jesus asked the group of Pharisees, “What do you think about the chosen one? Who is he a descendant of?”

They said, “He is a descendant of David.”

“Then why would David, inspired by the Spirit, call him ‘Lord’ and say, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I have put your enemies under your feet like a footstool.’ So, if David calls the chosen one ‘Lord’, how is the Lord his descendant?”

No one could answer him, or dared to ask him any more questions.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow or subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring Matthew 22

If you’d like to read Matthew 22 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 22 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 22 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 22 in the Contemporary English Version.

Matthew Chapter 21 Simplified: Jesus enters Jerusalem and annoys the priests and teachers

Published on March 2021July 2023 by DaveLeave a comment

On their way to Jerusalem, they arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olivet. Jesus sent two of his disciples ahead of them. “Go into the village there and you’ll find a donkey tied up. It will have its foal with her. Untie them both a bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are up to, tell them their Lord needs the animals. The person will immediately let you take the animals.”

This all happened to make what the prophet said come true: “Tell the daughter of Zion that your King is coming, and he is gentle and riding on a donkey and on a foal, the offspring of a working animal.”

The disciples did what Jesus told them to do. They brought the donkey and the foal back. They saddled them with cloaks and Jesus sat on them. A big crowd laid their coats on the road. Others cut down branches and laid them on the road.

The crowds went in front of and behind Jesus and yelled out, “The Son of David will save us! Praise him for coming in the Lord’s name. He is our saviour! Yell from the heavens that we will be saved!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, everyone in the city became agitated. They asked each other, “Who’s this guy?”

The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Jesus went to the temple and threw out everyone who was selling and buying in there. He tipped over the money exchanger’s tables and the seats of the dove sellers.

“It’s been written that my house will be called a house of prayer,” Jesus said. “You’ve all turned it into a place for robbers to hangout!”

The blind and disabled in the temple came to Jesus and he healed them.

The chief priests and academics saw Jesus’ miracles and heard the children in the temple yelling out, “The Son of David will save us!”.

They were very annoyed. “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

“Yes, I do, Jesus replied. “Didn’t you read, ‘Perfect praise comes out of the mouth of children and babies.’?”

Jesus left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he stayed the night.

In the morning, Jesus came back into Jerusalem and was hungry. He saw a fig tree on the side of the road, but couldn’t find any fruit on it, only leaves. He said to the tree, “You will never produce any more fruit.” The tree immediately died.

The disciples saw this and were amazed. “How did that fig tree die so quickly?”

Jesus answered, “I’m honestly telling you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you can not only do miracles like what I just did to this fig tree, but even if you tell a mountain to get up and jump into the sea, it will happen. If you believe, you will receive everything you ask for in prayer.”

Jesus went into the temple and started teaching.

The chief priests and elders of the people came to him and asked, “What power do you have to do you what you do? Who gave you the power?”

“I also want to ask you something. If you answer me, I will tell you who gives me the power to do what I do. Did the baptism of John come from heaven or from people?”

They started debating amongst themselves. “If we say heaven, he will ask why we don’t believe him. But, if we say from people, we should be worried about the crowds. They all believe that John is a prophet.” They finally answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

“Then I’m not going to tell you who gives me the power to do what I do,” Jesus replied. “But what do you think of this? A man had two sons. He said to the first son, ‘Go work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘Sir, I’m not going to.’ But he said sorry afterwards and did as he was told. The man went to his second son and said the same thing as he said to his first son. The second son said, ‘I will, sir’. But he didn’t go to work. Which of these two sons did what the father wanted?”

“The first one,” the chief priests and elders answered.

“I’m honestly telling you,” Jesus said, “The tax collectors and prostitutes will get into God’s kingdom before you. John came to you to show you the right way to live but you didn’t believe him. But the tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. Even when you this all happening you did not change your minds and believe him.

“Listen to another story: A master of a house planted a vineyard and put a fence around it. He built a wine press and a watch tower and rented it out to farmers while he lived in another place. When it was harvest time, the owner sent his servants to the farmers to get his share of their fruits. But the farmers captured the servants and beat one, killed one and then stoned another.

The owner sent more servants, and the farmers did the same to them.

The owner sent his son to the farmers. “They will respect my son,” he assumed.

The farmers saw the son coming. “That is the owner’s son. Let’s kill him and steal his inheritance.”

They captured the son, threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

So, when the owner of the vineyard comes back home, what will he do to the farmers?”

The chief priests and elders replied, “He will destroy the horrible people and rent out the vineyard to other farmers who will give him his share of the fruit at harvest time.”

“Didn’t you ever read the scriptures?” Jesus asked. “‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the foundation stone. This came from the Lord and looks amazing to us.’ So, I’m telling you, God’s Kingdom will be taken away from you and it will be given to the people who are producing its fruits. Whoever falls on this stone will be broken, but whoever the stone falls on it will be crushed into a powder.”

The chief priests and the Pharisees heard the stories and knew Jesus was talking about them. They considered getting Jesus arrested, but they were worried about the crowds because the crowds believed he was a prophet.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow or subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring Matthew 21

If you’d like to read Matthew 21 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 21 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 21 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 21 in the Contemporary English Version.

Matthew Chapter 20 Simplified – The first will be last

Published on March 2021July 2023 by DaveLeave a comment

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a boss who went out in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. The workers agreed on getting $100 for the day, so the boss sent them into his vineyard.
A few hours later, the boss saw more workers hanging out in the markets.
He said to them, ‘Go work in my vineyard and I’ll pay you a fair amount.’
So, the workers went. The boss went out later and did the same thing again.
In the late afternoon, the boss went out again and saw more workers standing around. ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’
‘No one has hired us,’ they replied.
The boss said. ‘Go work in my vineyard and I’ll pay you a fair amount.’
When it was the evening, the boss said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers in and pay them. Start with those I hired last today and go backwards.’
The workers that were hired last received their $100. The workers that were hired at the beginning of the day came to be paid and assumed they would be paid more, but only received $100 each. After getting their money, they went and complained to the boss, ‘Those workers only worked an hour and were paid the same as us. We worked for the whole day in the burning heat!’
The boss replied to one of them, ‘I didn’t do you wrong, mate. Didn’t you agree to work the day for $100? Take your pay and leave. I wanted to give the worker I hired last the same as what I gave you. Is it illegal to do what I want with my stuff? Or are you jealous because I am generous?’
“In the same way, the last will be first and the first will be last. Many are called, but few are chosen.”

On their way up to Jerusalem, Jesus took his twelve disciples aside. “Listen, we’re on our way to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and law teachers, and they’ll sentence him to death. They’ll give him to the foreigners who will mock, torture and execute him. But on the third day he will come back to life again.”
James and John’s mum came and knelt in front of Jesus, and asked for a favour.
“What do you want?” Jesus asked.
“Tell me my two sons can sit with you,” she replied. “One on your right and one on your left, in your kingdom.”
“You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink from the cup I’m about the drink from? And be baptised in the same way I’m about to be baptised?”
“We can,” James and John replied.
“Yes, you will drink from my cup and be baptised in the same way that I will be. But you sit on my right and left isn’t a privilege I can give you. It’s for those that it’s been prepared for by my father.”
When the ten other disciples heard all this, they were very annoyed at the two brothers.
Jesus called all the disciples together. “You know the rulers of the foreigners boss them around, and their superiors rule over them. It won’t be same among you. Whoever wants to be powerful must be your servant. Whoever among you wants to be the first must be your slave. Even the Son of Man came to serve, not be served, and to sacrifice his life to pay off many people’s ransom.”

A big crowd followed Jesus and his disciples as left Jericho. Two blind men who were sitting on the side of the road heard Jesus was coming past. They yelled, “Lord, have compassion for us! Son of David!”
The crowd told them to shut up, but the two men yelled louder. “Lord, have mercy on us! Son of David!”
Jesus stopped and called out to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord, open our eyes!”
Jesus felt sorry for them. He touched their eyes and they could see at once. They followed him.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow or subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring Matthew 20

If you’d like to read Matthew 20 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 20 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 20 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 20 in the Contemporary English Version.

Matthew Chapter 19 Simplified: Jesus gets tested by the Pharisees ands helps out a rich guy

Published on January 2021July 2023 by DaveLeave a comment

When Jesus had finished speaking, he left Galilee and went to Judea, which is on the other side of the Jordan river. Big crowds followed him, and he healed them.
Pharisees came to test Jesus. “Is it illegal for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read that the one who created them made them man and woman from the beginning, and said, ‘because of this, a man will leave his parents and be joined with his wife and the two will become one. So, they are no longer two bodies but one body. So, what God joined together, no person should separate.”
The Pharisees replied, “Then why did Moses tell us to give a man a divorce certificate and send the wife away?”
“Moses said you are allowed to divorce your wives because you have hard hearts, but this is not how it was at the start. I’m telling you now, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality reasons, and marries someone else is being unfaithful.”
Jesus’ disciples asked, “If this is what marriage is, like isn’t it better to just not get married?”
“Not everyone accepts this teaching,” Jesus replied. “But only those who have been given it. There are some single people who were born like this, and there are some single people who are made single by others, and there are single people who made themselves single for the sake of the heavenly kingdom. Whoever can accept it, let them accept it.”
Children were brought to Jesus, so that he could put his hands on them and pray for them. But Jesus’ disciples told the people off for bringing the children.
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. They are the type that belong in the heavenly kingdom.”
He put his hands on them, and then left.
A man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good things do I need to do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only one who is good. If you want to go into life, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man asked.
“Don’t murder or commit adultery or steal or lie. Honour your mum and dad and love your neighbour as if they were yourself.”
“I’ve done all these things. What am I missing?”
“If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor. You will have treasures in heaven. Then you can come and follow me.
“The young man didn’t like what he heard and went away sad because he owned a lot.
Jesus said to his disciples, “I’m telling you, that rich guy will struggle to enter into the heavenly kingdom. I’ll tell you again, it’s easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle then a rich guy to get into God’s kingdom.”
The disciples were amazed when they heard this. “Who can be saved then?”
Jesus looked at them. “With men, it’s impossible. But with God, all things are possible.”
“Look, we left everything to follow you,” Peter said. “What will we get?”
“I’m honestly telling you, because you followed me, when you die and the Son of Man sits on the glorious throne, you will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Everyone who has left houses or siblings or parents or spouses or children or land for my purposes will receive 100 times more and eternal life. Many who are currently first will be last, and currently last will be first.”

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Continue exploring Matthew 19

If you’d like to read Matthew 19 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 19 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 19 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 19 in the Contemporary English Version.

Matthew Chapter 18 Simplified: Jesus reveals who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven

Published on January 2021July 2023 by DaveLeave a comment

Straight afterwards, Jesus’ disciples came to him and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Jesus called a child over to him and stood the child in their group.
“I’m honestly telling you,” said Jesus. “If you don’t change and become like little children, you won’t enter into the kingdom of heaven. So, whoever becomes as humble as this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child in my name, welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to start sinning, it would be better for that person to be hung with a heavy stone around their neck and drowned to the bottom of the sea. It’s a terrible shame the world has so much sin! Sin will inevitably come, but it’s a terrible shame for the person who causes the sin.
“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better to continue in life crippled or disabled then have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, rip it out and throw it away. It’s better to continue in life with one eye then have two eyes and be thrown into the fires of hell.
“Make sure you don’t purposely ignore these little ones. I’m telling you, their angels in heaven are always in front of my Father, who is in heaven. “The Son of Man has arrived to save the lost. What do you think? If a man has 100 sheep and one gets lost, won’t he leave the 99 on the mountain and go look for the lost one? And if he finds it, I’m telling you he’ll be happier about that one than the 99 who didn’t get lost. So, your Heavenly Father doesn’t want any of these little ones to die.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him about the fault in private. If he listens to you, you will have won your brother back. If he doesn’t listen to you, take one or two more people with you so there are two or three witnesses who can confirm what you say. If your brother still doesn’t listen to them, tell the church. If he doesn’t listen to the church, think of him as someone you wouldn’t associate with.
“I’m honestly telling you, whatever you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven and whatever you allow an earth will be allowed in heaven. I’m honestly saying again, if two of you agree something about anything here on earth and ask for it, it will be done for them by my Heavenly Father. If two or three people are together as my followers, I am also there.”

Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often should I forgive my brothers who sin against me? Seven times?”
Jesus replied, “No, not just seven times but 70×7 times! Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wants to settle things with his servants. After he had begun settling, someone was bought to him who owed him a lot of money. The servant couldn’t afford to pay up. The king commanded that the servant, his wife and children and everything they had be sold to settle the debt.
“The servant fell down on his knees and begged, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you!’
“Feeling sorry for him, the servant’s boss freed the servant and forgave his debt.
“After leaving, the former servant came across one of his colleagues who owed him some money. He grabbed him and began choking him. ‘Pay me everything you owe me!’
“His colleague fell down and begged him, ‘Be patient with me and I will pay you!’
“But the former servant refused and had his colleague thrown into prison until he could pay up. The former servant’s other colleagues saw what happened and they were incredibly sad. They went and told the king what had happened.
“The king summoned the servant. ‘You evil servant. I forgave all your debts because you begged me. Wouldn’t it have been right for you to have compassion for your colleague like I had compassion for you?’
“The servant’s king angrily sent him to prison until he could pay everything he owed.
“So, my heavenly Father will do the same thing to you, if each of you doesn’t forgive your brother from your heart.”

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Continue exploring Matthew 18

If you’d like to read Matthew 18 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 18 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 18 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 18 in the Contemporary English Version.

Matthew Chapter 17 Simplified: Jesus meets with Moses and Elijah, casts out a demon and pays his taxes

Published on December 2020July 2023 by DaveLeave a comment

Six days later, Jesus took Peter and the brothers James and John to a tall mountain. Jesus transformed in front of them. His face shone brightly, and his clothes became a bright white. Moses and Elijah appeared next to him and the three of them together.
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it’s a good thing we are here. If you want, I can set up three tents—one for each of you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
While he was saying this, a bright cloud came over them and a voice said from the cloud, “This is my son, I love him, and I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!”
When the disciples heard this, they fell down on the ground, terrified. Jesus came over to them, touched them he told them to get up and not be scared. The disciples looked up. Only Jesus was in front of them.

As they walked back down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you just saw until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”
His disciples asked him, “Why do the law teachers say Elijah needs to come first?”
“Elijah will come first and restore everything,” Jesus replied. “But I’m telling you that Elijah already came but they did not recognise him. They did whatever they wanted to him. The Son of Man will suffer from them in the same way.”
The disciples realised Jesus was talking about John the Baptist.

When they reached the crowd at the bottom of the mountain, a man knelt before Jesus. “Lord, be kind to my son! He suffers horribly from epilepsy. He often falls into the fire and into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”
“This generation has no faith and is perverted,” Jesus answered. “How long will I be with you? How long will I have to worry about you? Bring him to me.”
Jesus put the demon in his place. It left the boy, healing him straight away.
The disciples privately asked Jesus, “Why weren’t we able to cast out the demon?”
“Because you don’t have enough faith,” Jesus replied. “I’m telling you truthfully if you have faith the size of a tiny mustard seed, you will be able to tell mountains to move from here to there and they would move. Nothing would be impossible for you. But this type of demon does not leave except through prayer and fasting.”

They were now staying in Galilee. Jesus said to his disciples, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed and handed over to the people. They will kill him, but on the third day be raised back to life.”
The disciples were deeply saddened to hear this.

They went to Capernaum and came across the temple tax collectors. The tax collectors asked Peter, “Your teacher doesn’t want to pay his taxes?”
“Yes, he does,” Peter replied. He went back into the house they were staying in.
Jesus was expecting Peter and asked him, “What do you think, Simon? Who do earthly kings receive payments and taxes from? From their own people or from strangers?”
“From strangers,” Peter replied.
“Then their own people are free not to pay,” Jesus said, “But we don’t want to offend them. Go fishing in the sea, and the first fish you catch will have a coin in its mouth. Give it to them to pay our taxes.”

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Continue exploring Matthew 17

If you’d like to read Matthew 17 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 17 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 17 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 17 in the Contemporary English Version.

Matthew Chapter 16 Simplified: Jesus lets his disciples know what is about to happen

Published on December 2020July 2023 by DaveLeave a comment

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign in the sky.
“In the evening when the sky is red, you say good weather is coming,” Jesus replied. “And when the sky is red in the morning you say a storm is coming. You know how to tell the weather from the sky, but you don’t know how to tell the signs of the times.
An evil and cheating generation of people look for a sign, but they will not be giving a sign, except for Jonah’s sign.”
Jesus walked away from them.

Later, Jesus’s followers arrived at the shore, but they forgot to bring any bread.
Jesus warned them, “Be careful of the Pharisees and Sadducees’ yeast” The disciples talked together and said, “He said that because we didn’t bring any bread.”
Jesus overheard them. “You have almost no faith. Why are you talking about not bringing any bread? Don’t you remember the five bread loaves that fed 5000 people and how many leftovers there were? Or what about the seven loaves of bread for the 4000 people and how many leftovers there were then? Don’t you understand that when I told you to be careful about the Pharisees and Sadducees’ yeast, I wasn’t talking about bread?”
The disciples then understood that Jesus was not telling them to be careful of yeast in bread, but what the Pharisees and Sadducees were teaching.

Jesus travelled to Caesarea Philippi. He quizzed his disciples, “Who do people say is the son of man?”
“Some say John the Baptist,” they replied. “Others say Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the other prophets”
“Who do you say I am?” Jesus asked.
Simon Peter answered, “You are Christ, the son of the living God.”
“Bless you, Simon, son of John!” Jesus said. “A human did not reveal this to you. My Father in heaven did. I’m also naming you Peter (rock), and I will build my church on this rock and the gates of hell will not overpower it. I will give you the keys to the heavenly kingdom and whatever you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven and what you permit on the earth will be made permitted in the heaven.”
Jesus then told the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. From then on, he explained to his followers that he needed to go to Jerusalem and suffer at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed but raised from the dead on the third day.
Peter took Jesus aside and told him off for saying what he said. “This won’t happen, Lord. This won’t ever happen to you.”
“Get behind me, Satan!” Jesus said. “You are an obstacle to me. Your thoughts are human thoughts, not Godly thoughts.”
Jesus then said to all of his disciples, “If anyone wants me, they need to refuse themself and take up their cross and follow me. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life because of me will find it. What benefit is it for a person if they gain everything in the world but lose their life? What will a person give in exchange for their life? The Son of Man will come in the glory of his father with his angels, and then he’ll reward everyone for the actions they did. I’m telling you, there are some people standing here who will not die until they have seen the Son of Man become King.”

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Continue exploring Matthew 16

If you’d like to read Matthew 16 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 16 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 16 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 16 in the Contemporary English Version.