The Sign of Jonah

Gospel of Matthew 16

Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and, to test Jesus, requested him to show them some sign from the heavens. 2 But Jesus answered: “In the evening you say: ‘It will be fine weather, for the sky is as red as fire.’ 3 But in the morning you say: ‘Today 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! 4 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.

5 Now the disciples had crossed to the opposite shore, and had forgotten to take any bread. 6 Presently Jesus said to them: “Take care and be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 But the disciples began talking among themselves about their having brought no bread.

8 On noticing this, Jesus said: “Why are you talking among yourselves about your being short of bread, O ye of little faith? 9 Do not you yet see, nor remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took away? 10 Nor yet the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you took away? 11 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.” 12 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.

13 On coming into the neighborhood of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples this question: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 “Some say John the Baptist,” they answered, “Others, however, say that he is Elijah, while others again say Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15 “But you,” he said, “who do you say that I am?” 16 And to this Simon Peter answered: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”17 “Blessed are you, Simon, Son of Jonah,” Jesus replied. “For no human being has revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

18 Yes, and I say to you that your name is Peter and on this rock I will build my Church, and the powers of the place of death shall not prevail over it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be held in heaven to be forbidden, and whatever you allow on earth will be held in heaven to be allowed.” 20 Then he charged his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

21 At that time Jesus Christ began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and undergo much suffering at the hands of the councilors, and chief priests, and teachers of the law, and be put to death, and rise on the third day. 22 But Peter took Jesus aside, and began to rebuke him. “Master,” he said, “please God that shall never be your fate!” 23 Jesus, however, turning to Peter, said: “Out of my way, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you look at things, not as God does, but as mankind does.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “If anyone wishes to walk in my steps, let them renounce self, and take up their cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever wishes to save their lives will lose it, and whoever, for my sake, loses their lives shall find it. 26 What good will it do you to gain the whole world, if you forfeit your life? Or what will you give that is of equal value with your life? 27 For the Son of Man is to come in his Father’s glory, with his angels, and then he ‘will give to every one of you what your actions deserve.’ 28 I tell you, some of those who are standing here will not know death till they have seen the Son of Man coming into his kingdom.”

——

To read Chapter 17 of the Gospel of Matthew, please go to: Faith of a Mustard Seed

Gain fresh insight into the Lord’s Prayer. Read our free online book The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life. The prayer’s hidden teachings will enrich and inspire you. Click the following link to begin reading the Living Hour book now: The Lord’s Prayer.

Browse the entire Gospel of Matthew here: Gospel of Matthew

Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

Gospel of Matthew 25

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them; 4 While the prudent ones, besides taking their lamps, took oil in their jars. 5 As the bridegroom was late in coming, they all became drowsy, and slept. 6 But at midnight a shout was raised: ‘The Bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’

7 Then all the bridesmaids awoke and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the prudent: ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the prudent ones answered: ‘No, for fear that there will not be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell it, and buy for yourselves.’10 But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom came; and the bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the banquet, and the door was shut. 11 Afterwards the other bridesmaids came. ‘Sir, Sir,’ they said, ‘open the door to us!’12 But the bridegroom answered ‘I tell you, I do not know you.’

13 Therefore watch, since you know neither the day nor the hour. 14 For it is as though a man, going on his travels, called his servants, and gave his property into their charge. 15 He gave three thousand pounds to one, twelve hundred to another, and six hundred to a third, in proportion to the ability of each. Then he set out on his travels. 16 The man who had received the three thousand pounds went at once and traded with it, and made another three thousand. 17 So, too, the man who had received the twelve hundred pounds made another twelve hundred. 18 But the servant who had received the six hundred went and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

19 After a long time the master of those servants returned, and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the three thousand pounds came up and brought three thousand more. ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with three thousand pounds; look, I have made another three thousand!’ 21 ‘Well done, good, trustworthy servant!’ said his master. ‘You have been trustworthy with a small sum; now I will place a large one in your hands; come and share your master’s joy!’

22 Then the one who had received the twelve hundred pounds came up and said ‘Sir, you entrusted me with twelve hundred pounds; look, I have made another twelve hundred!’ 23 ‘Well done, good, trustworthy servant!’ said his master. ‘You have been trustworthy with a small sum; now I will place a large one in your hands; come and share your master’s joy!’

Discover the Lord’s Prayer

To continue reading Chapter 25 of the Gospel of Matthew, please click on page 2 below.