Matthew – Gospel 22 – Christ is Not the Son of David

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables. 2 “The kingdom of heaven,” he said, “may be compared to a king who gave a banquet in honor of his son’s wedding. 3 He sent his servants to call those who had been invited to the banquet, but they were unwilling to come. 4 A second time he sent some servants, with orders to say to those who had been invited: ‘I have prepared my breakfast, my cattle and fat beasts are killed, and everything is ready; come to the banquet.’ 5 They, however, took no notice, but went off, one to his farm, another to his business; 6 While the rest, seizing his servants, ill-treated them and killed them.”

7 “The king, in anger, sent his troops, put those murderers to death, and set their city on fire. 8 Then he said to his servants: ‘The banquet is prepared, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 So go to the cross-roads, and invite everyone you find to the banquet.’ 10 The servants went out into the roads and collected all the people whom they found, whether bad or good; and the bridal-hall was filled with guests.

11 But, when the king went in to see his guests, he noticed there a man who had not put on a wedding-robe. 12 So he said to him ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding-robe?’ The man was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants: ‘Tie him hand and foot, and ‘put him out into the darkness’ outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.’14 For many are called, but few chosen.”

15 Then the Pharisees went away and conferred together as to how they might lay a snare for Jesus in the course of conversation. 16 They sent their disciples, with the Herodians, to say to him: “Teacher, we know that you are an honest man, and that you teach the way of God honestly, and are not afraid of anyone; for you pay no regard to a man’s position. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Are we right in paying taxes to the Emperor, or not?”

18 Perceiving their malice, Jesus answered: “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin with which the tax is paid.” And, when they had brought him a florin, 20 He asked: “Whose head and title are these?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they answered; on which he said to them: “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 They wondered at his answer, and left him alone and went away.

23 That same day the Sadducees, who believed there was no resurrection, came up to Jesus. Their question was this: 24 “Teacher, Moses said: ‘Should a man die without children, the man’s brother shall become the husband of the widow, and raise a family for his brother.’ 25 Now we had living among us seven brothers; of whom the eldest married and died, and, as he had no family, left his wife for his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second and the third brothers, and indeed to all the seven. 27 The woman herself died last of all. 28 At the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be out of the seven, all of them having had her?”

29 “Your mistake,” replied Jesus, “is due to your ignorance of the scriptures, and of the power of God. 30 For at the resurrection there is no marrying or being married, but all who rise are as angels in heaven. 31 As to the resurrection of the dead, have you not read these words of God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of dead men, but of living.”

33 The crowds, who had been listening to him, were greatly struck by his teaching. 34 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a student of the law, to test him, asked this question: 36 “Teacher, what is the great commandment in the law?” 37 His answer was: “‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.’ 38 This is the great first commandment. 39 The second, which is like it, is this: ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thou dost thyself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

41 Before the Pharisees separated, Jesus put this question to them: 42 “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” “David’s,” they said. 43 “How is it, then,” Jesus replied, “that David, speaking under inspiration, calls him ‘lord,’ in the passage: 44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I put thy enemies beneath thy feet”‘? 45 Since, then, David calls him ‘lord,’ how is he David’s son?” 46 No one could say a word in answer; nor did anyone after that day venture to question him further.

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To read the next chapter of the Book of Matthew, please go to The Gospel of Matthew – 23.

This Online New Testament Gospel of Matthew is excerpted from the book The Living Hour: The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life (with New Century Gospels). Including over 200 bookmarked citations from the canonical Gospels, this Progressive Christian book appeals to the Unitarian spirit at the heart of all faiths.

Challenge your perceptions on the Gospel of Christ, Jesus’s parables, and the Kingdom of God by purchasing The Lord’s Prayer book today. Produced by LivingHour.org, a Thailand-based small press dedicated to publishing unique Learn Thai Language books and eBooks, as well as works on progressive spirituality.

Matthew – Gospel 23 – Jesus, Pharisees, & Hypocrites

Then Jesus speaking to the crowds and to his disciples, said: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees now occupy the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore practice and lay to heart everything that they preach but do not copy their works, for they do not follow what they preach. 4 While they make up heavy loads and pile them on other men’s shoulder’s they decline, themselves, to lift a finger to move them. 5 All their actions are done to attract attention. They widen their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and like to have the place of honor at dinner, and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and to be greeted in the markets with respect, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by everybody.”

8 “But do not allow yourselves to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master, Christ, and all you are brothers and sisters. 9 And do not call anyone on earth your father, for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Nor must you allow yourselves to be called ‘leaders,’ for you have only one leader, the Christ. 11 Those who would be the greatest among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever shall exalt themselves will be humbled, and whoever shall humble themselves will be exalted.”

13 “But woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You turn the key of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you do not go in yourselves, nor yet allow those who try to go in to do so. 14 Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You destroy widow’s houses, even while pretending to make long prayers; therefore you shall receive greater condemnation.”

15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You scour land and sea to make a single convert, and, when he or she is gained, you make them twice as deserving of the pit as you are yourselves. 16 Woe to you, you blind guides! You say, ‘if any swear by the temple, it counts for nothing; but, if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, their oaths are binding’! 17 Fools that you are and blind! Which is the more important? The gold? Or the temple which has given sacredness to the gold?”

18 “You say, too, ‘If any swear by the altar, their oaths count for nothing, but, if anyone swears by the offering placed on it, their oaths are binding’! 19 Blind indeed! Which is the more important? The offering? Or the altar which gives sacredness to the offering? 20 Therefore anyone, swearing by the altar, swears by it and by all that is on it, 21 And anyone, swearing by the temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it, 22 While anyone, swearing by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits upon it.”

23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You pay tithes on mint, fennel, and caraway seed, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and good faith. These last you ought to have put into practice, without neglecting the first. 24 You blind guides, to strain out a gnat and to swallow a camel! 25 Woe to you, teachers of law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside they are filled with the results of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.”

27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed look fair outside, while inside they are filled with dead men’s bones and all kinds of filth. 28 It is the same with you. Outwardly, and to others, you have the look of religious men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and sin.”

29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You build the tombs of the prophets, and decorate the monuments of religious men, 30 and say: ‘Had we been living in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part in their murder of the prophets! 31 By doing this you are furnishing evidence against yourselves that you are true children of the men who murdered the prophets. 32 Thus you fill up the measure of your ancestor’s guilt.”

33 “You serpents and brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to the pit? 34 That is why I send you prophets, wise men, and teachers of the law, some of whom you will crucify and kill, and some of whom you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from town to town; 35 In order that upon your heads may fall every drop of innocent ‘blood split on earth,’ from the blood of innocent Abel down to that of Zechariah, Barachiah’s son, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 All this, I tell you, will come home to the present generation.”

37 “Jerusalem! Jerusalem! She who slays the prophets and stones the messengers sent to her—oh how often have I wished to gather your children round me, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not come! 38 Verily, your house is left to you desolate! 39 For nevermore, I tell you, shall you see me, until you say: ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

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To read the next chapter of the Book of Matthew, please go to The Gospel of Matthew – 24.

This Online New Testament Gospel of Matthew is excerpted from the book The Living Hour: The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life (with New Century Gospels). Including over 200 bookmarked citations from the canonical Gospels, this Progressive Christian book appeals to the Unitarian spirit at the heart of all faiths.

Challenge your perceptions on the Gospel of Christ, Jesus’s parables, and the Kingdom of God by purchasing The Lord’s Prayer book today. Produced by LivingHour.org, a Thailand-based small press dedicated to publishing unique Learn Thai Language books and eBooks, as well as works on progressive spirituality.

Matthew – Gospel 26 – The Last Supper

When Jesus had finished all this teaching, he said to his disciples: 2 “You know that in two days time, the festival of the Passover will be here; and that the Son of Man is to be given up to be crucified.” 3 Then the chief priests and the councilors of the nation met in the house of the high priest, named Caiaphas, 4 And plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and put him to death; 5 But they said: “Not during the festival, for fear of causing a riot.”

6 After Jesus had reached Bethany, and while he was in the house of Simon the leper, 7 A woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and poured the ointment upon his head as he was at a table. 8 The disciples were indignant at seeing this. “What is this waste for?” they exclaimed. 9 “It could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to poor people.” 10 “Why are you troubling the woman?” Jesus said, when he noticed it, “For this is a beautiful deed that she has done to me.”

11 “You always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this perfume on my body, she has done it for my burial. 13 I tell you, wherever in the whole world this gospel is proclaimed, what this woman has done will be told in memory of her.” 14 It was then that one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, made his way to the chief priests, 15 And said “What are you willing to give me, if I betray Jesus to you?” The priests ‘weighed him out thirty pieces of silver’ as payment. 16 So from that time Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

17 On the first day of the festival of the unleavened bread, the disciples came up to Jesus, and said: “Where do you wish us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 “Go into the city to a certain man,” he answered, “and say to him: ‘The Teacher says: My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 The disciples did as Jesus directed them, and prepared the Passover.

20 In the evening Jesus took his place with the twelve disciples, 21 And, while they were eating, he said: “I tell you that one of you will betray me.” 22 In great grief they began to say to him, one by one: “Can it be I, Master?” 23 “The one who dipped his bread beside me in the dish,” replied Jesus, “is the one who will betray me. 24 True, the Son of Man must go, as scripture says of him, yet woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is being betrayed! For that man ‘it would be better never to have been born!’” 25 And Judas, who was betraying him, turned to him and said: “Can it be I, Rabbi?” “You have said it,” answered Jesus.

26 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and, after saying the blessing, broke it and, as he gave it to his disciples, said: “Take it and eat it; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and, after saying the thanksgiving, gave it to them, with the words: “Drink from it, all of you; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 And I tell you that I shall never, after this, drink of this juice of the grape, until that day when I shall drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.” 30 They then sang a hymn, and went out to the Mount of Olives.

31 Then Jesus said to them: “Even you will fall away from me tonight. Scripture says: ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But, after I have risen, I shall go before you into Galilee.” 33 “If everyone else falls away from you,” Peter answered, “I shall never fall away!” 34 “I tell you,” replied Jesus, “that this very night, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times!” 35 “Even if I must die with you,” Peter exclaimed, “I shall never disown you!” All the disciples spoke in the same way.

36 Then Jesus came with them to a garden called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples: “Sit down here while I go and pray yonder.” 37 Taking with him Peter, and the two sons of Zebediah, he began to show signs of sadness and deep distress of mind. 38 “I am sad at heart,” he said, “sad even to death; wait here and watch with me.” 39 Going on a little further, he threw himself on his face in prayer. “My Father,” he said, “if it is possible, let me be spared this cup; only, not as I will, but as thou willest.”

40 Then he came to his disciples, and found them asleep. “What!” he said to Peter, “could none of you watch with me for one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that you may not fall into temptation. True, the spirit is eager, but human nature is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, he went away, and prayed. “My Father,” he said, “if I cannot be spared this cup, but must drink it, thy will be done!”

43 And coming back again he found them asleep, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them, and went away again, and prayed a third time, again saying the same words. 45 Then he came to the disciples, and said: “Sleep on now, and rest yourselves. Hark! My time is close at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of wicked men.

46 Up, and let us be going. Look! My betrayer is close at hand.” :47 And, while he was still speaking, Judas, who was one of the twelve, came in sight; and with him was a great crowd of people, with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and councilors of the nation. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them. “The man whom I kiss,” he had said, “will be the one; arrest him.”

49 So he went up to Jesus at once, and exclaimed: “Welcome, Rabbi!” and kissed him; 50 On which Jesus said to him: “Friend, do what you have come for.” Thereupon the men went up, seized Jesus, and arrested him. 51 Suddenly one of those who was with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and striking the high priest’s servant, cut off his ear.

52 “Sheathe your sword,” Jesus said, “for all who draw the sword will be put to the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot ask my Father for help, when he would at once send to my aid more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But in that case how would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say that this must be?”

55 Jesus at the same time said to the crowds: “Have you come out, as if after a robber, with swords and clubs, to take me? I have sat teaching day after day in the temple courts, and yet you did not arrest me.” 56 The whole of this occurred in fulfillment of the prophetic scriptures. Then the disciples all forsook him and fled.

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the councilors had assembled. 58 Peter followed him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the offices, to see the end. 59 Meanwhile, the chief priests and the whole of the high council were trying to get such false evidence against Jesus, as would warrant putting him to death, 60 But they did not find any, although many came forward with false stories. Later on, however, two men came forward and said: 61 “This man said: ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.”

62 Then the high priest stood up, and said to Jesus: “Have you no answer? What is this evidence which these men are giving against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. On this the high priest said to him: “I adjure you, by the living God, to tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 “It is true,” Jesus answered; “Moreover I tell you all that hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Almighty, and coming on the clouds of the heavens.’”

65 Then the high priest tore his robes. “This is blasphemy!” he exclaimed. “Why do we want any more witnesses? You have just heard his blasphemy! 66 What is your decision?” They answered: “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spat in his face, and struck him, while others dealt blows at him, saying as they did so: 68 “Now play the prophet for us, you Christ! Who was it that struck you?”

69 Peter, meanwhile, was sitting outside in the courtyard; and a maidservant came up to him, and exclaimed: “Why, you were with Jesus the Galilean!” 70 But Peter denied it before them all. “I do not know what you mean,” he replied. 71 When he had gone out into the gateway, another maid saw him, and said to those who were there: “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth!” 72 Again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!”

73 But soon afterwards those who were standing by came up and said to Peter: “You also are certainly one of them; why, your very way of speaking proves it!” 74 Then Peter began to swear, with most solemn imprecations: “I do not know the man.” At that moment a cock crowed; 75 and Peter remembered the words which Jesus had said: ‘Before the cock has crowed, you will disown me three times’; and he went outside, and wept bitterly.

To read the next chapter of the Book of Matthew, please go to The Gospel of Matthew – 27.

This Online New Testament Gospel of Matthew is excerpted from the book The Living Hour: The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life (with New Century Gospels). Including over 200 bookmarked citations from the canonical Gospels, this Progressive Christian book appeals to the Unitarian spirit at the heart of all faiths.

Challenge your perceptions on the Gospel of Christ, Jesus’s parables, and the Kingdom of God by purchasing The Lord’s Prayer book today. Produced by LivingHour.org, a Thailand-based small press dedicated to publishing unique Learn Thai Language books and eBooks, as well as works on progressive spirituality.

John – Gospel 20 – Doubting Thomas

On the first day of the week, early in the morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been removed. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter, and to that other disciple who was Jesus’ friend, and said to them: “They have taken away the Master out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him!” 3 Upon this, Peter started off with that other disciple, and they went to the tomb. 4 The two began running together; but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first.

5 Stooping down, he saw the linen wrappings lying there, but did not go in. 6 Presently Simon Peter came following behind him, and went into the tomb; and he looked at the linen wrappings lying there, 7 And the cloth which had been upon Jesus’ head, not lying with the wrappings, but rolled up on one side, separately. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, went inside too, and he saw for himself and was convinced. 9 For they did not then understand the passage of scripture which says that Jesus must rise again from the dead.

10 The disciples then returned to their companions. 11 Meanwhile Mary was standing close outside the tomb, weeping. Still weeping, she leant forward into the tomb, 12 And perceived two angels clothed in white sitting there, where the body of Jesus had been lying, one where the head and the other where the feet had been. 13 “Why are you weeping?” asked the angels. “They have taken my Master away,” she answered, “and I do not know where they have laid him.”

14 After saying this, she turned round and looked at Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 “Why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” he asked. Supposing him to be the gardener, Mary answered: “If it was you, sir, who carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away myself.” 16 “Mary!” said Jesus. She turned round, and exclaimed in Hebrew: “Rabboni!” (or, as we would say, ‘Teacher’).

17 “Do not hold me,” Jesus said; “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my Brothers, and tell them that I am ascending to him who is my Father and their Father, my God and their God.” 18 Mary Magdalene went and told the disciples that she had seen the Master, and that he had said this to her.

19 In the evening of the same day—the first day of the week—after the doors of the room in which the disciples were had been shut for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said: “Peace be with you”; 20 After which he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Master.

21 Again Jesus said to them: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me as his messenger, so I am sending you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them, and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit; 23 If you remit anyone’s sins, they have been remitted; and, if you retain them, they have been retained.”

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus was not with them when Jesus came; 25 So the rest of the disciples said to him: “We have seen the Master!” “Unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands,” he exclaimed, “and put my finger into the marks, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

26 A week later the disciples were again in the house, and Thomas with them. After the doors had been shut, Jesus came and stood among them, and said: “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas: “Place your finger here, and look at my hands; and place your hand here, and put it into my side; and do not refuse to believe, but believe.” 28 And Thomas exclaimed: “My Master, and my God!” 29 “Is it because you have seen me that you have believed?” said Jesus. “Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed!”

30 There were many other signs of his mission that Jesus gave in presence of the disciples, which are not recorded in this book; 31 But these have been recorded that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God—and that through your belief in his name you may have life.

To read the next chapter of the Book of John, please go toThe Gospel of John – 21.

This Online New Testament Gospel of John is excerpted from the book The Living Hour: The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life (with New Century Gospels). Including over 200 bookmarked citations from the canonical Gospels, this Progressive Christian book appeals to the Unitarian spirit at the heart of all faiths.

Challenge your perceptions on the Gospel of Christ, Jesus’s parables, and the Kingdom of God by purchasing The Lord’s Prayer book today. Produced by LivingHour.org, a Thailand-based small press dedicated to publishing unique Learn Thai Language books and eBooks, as well as works on progressive spirituality.

Matthew – Gospel 27 – God, Why Has Thou Forsaken Me?

At daybreak all the chief priests and the councilors of the nation consulted together against Jesus, to bring about his death. 2 They put him in chains and led him away, and gave him up to the Roman governor, Pilate. 3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that Jesus was condemned, repented of what he had done, and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and councilors. 4 “I did wrong in betraying a good man to his death,” he said. “What has that to do with us?” they replied. “You must see to that yourself.”

5 Judas flung down the pieces of silver in the temple and left; and went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver, but they said: “We must not put them into the temple treasury, because they are blood-money.” 7 So after consultation, they bought with them the ‘Potter’s Field’ for a burial-ground for foreigners; 8 And that is why that field is called the ‘Field of Blood’ to this very day. 9 It was then that these words spoken by the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled: ‘They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him who was valued, whom some of the people of Israel valued, 10 And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.’

11 Meanwhile Jesus was brought before the Roman governor. “Are you the King of the Jews?” asked the governor. “That is what you say,” answered Jesus. 12 While charges were being brought against him by the chief priests and councilors, Jesus made no reply. 13 Then Pilate said to him: “Do not you hear how many accusations they are making against you?” 14 Yet Jesus made no reply, not even a single word; at which the governor was greatly astonished.

15 Now, at the feast, the governor was accustomed to grant the people the release of any one prisoner whom they might choose. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So, when the people had gathered, Pilate said to them: “Which do you wish me to release for you? Barabbas? Or Jesus who is called ‘Christ’?” 18 For he knew that it was out of jealousy that they had given Jesus up to him.

19 While he was still on the bench, his wife sent this message to him: “Do not have anything to do with that good man, for I have been very unhappy today because of a dream I had of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the councilors persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas, and to kill Jesus. 21 The governor, however, said to them: “Which of these two do you wish me to release for you?” “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “What then,” Pilate asked, “shall I do with Jesus who is called ‘Christ’?” “Let him be crucified,” they all replied. 23 “Why, what harm has he done?” he asked. But they kept shouting furiously: “Let him be crucified!”

24 When Pilate saw that contrary to his efforts a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying as he did so: “I am not answerable for this bloodshed; you must see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered: “His blood be on our heads and on our children’s!” 26 Then Pilate released Barabbas to them; but Jesus he scourged and gave him up to be crucified.

27 After that, the governor’s soldiers took Jesus with them into the government house and gathered the whole garrison round him. 28 They stripped him and put on him a red military cloak, 29 And having twisted some thorns into a crown, put it on his head, and a rod in his right hand, and then, going down on their knees before him, they mocked him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat at him and, taking the rod, kept striking him on the head; 31 And, when they had quit mocking him, they took off the military cloak, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to be crucified.

32 As they were on their way out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; and they compelled him to go with them to carry the cross. 33 On reaching a place named Golgotha (a place named from its likeness to a skull), 34 they gave him some wine to drink which had been mixed with gall; but after tasting it, Jesus refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him.

37 Above his head they fixed the accusation against him, written out: ‘THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.’ 38 At the same time, two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right, the other on the left. 39 The passers-by railed at him, shaking their heads as they said: 40 “You who ‘destroy the temple and build one in three days,’ save yourself! If you are God’s Son, come down from the cross!”

41 In the same way the chief priests, with the teachers of the law and councilors, said in mockery: 42 “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the ‘King of Israel’! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43 He has trusted in God; if God wants him, let him deliver him now; for he said: ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 Even the robbers who were crucified with him reviled him in the same way.

45 After mid-day a darkness came over all the country, lasting until three in the afternoon. 46 At about three Jesus called out loudly: “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani”: that is to say, ‘My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?’ 47 Some of those standing by heard this, and said: “The man is calling for Elijah!”

48 One of them immediately ran and took a sponge, and, filling it with common wine, put it on the end of a rod and offered it to him to drink. 49 But the rest said: “Wait and let us see if Elijah is coming to save him.” However another man took a spear and pierced his side; and water and blood flowed from it. 50 But Jesus, uttering another loud cry, gave up his spirit.

51 Suddenly the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth shook, the rocks were torn asunder, 52 The tombs opened, and the bodies of many of God’s people who had fallen asleep rose, 53 And they, leaving their tombs, went after the resurrection of Jesus into the Holy City and appeared to many people. 54 The Roman captain and the men with him who were watching Jesus, on seeing the earthquake, and all that was happening, became greatly frightened and exclaimed: “This must indeed have been God’s Son!”

55 There were many women watching from a distance, who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee, and had been attending on him. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebediah’s sons. 57 When evening had fallen, there came a rich man from Arimathǽa, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to see Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; upon which Pilate ordered it to be given him. 59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen sheet, 60 And laid it in his newly-made tomb which he had cut in the rock; and before he left, he rolled a great stone against the entrance of the tomb. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained behind, sitting in front of the grave.

62 The next day (that is, the day following the preparation-day) the chief priests and Pharisees came together to see Pilate and said: 63 “Sir, we remember that during his lifetime that impostor said: ‘I shall rise after three days.’ 64 So order the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise his disciples may come and steal him, and then say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ so the last imposture will be worse than the first.” 65 “You may have a guard,” was Pilate’s reply; “go and make the tomb as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone, in presence of the guard.

To read the next chapter of the Book of Matthew, please go to The Gospel of Matthew – 28.

This Online New Testament Gospel of Matthew is excerpted from the book The Living Hour: The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life (with New Century Gospels). Including over 200 bookmarked citations from the canonical Gospels, this Progressive Christian book appeals to the Unitarian spirit at the heart of all faiths.

Challenge your perceptions on the Gospel of Christ, Jesus’s parables, and the Kingdom of God by purchasing The Lord’s Prayer book today. Produced by LivingHour.org, a Thailand-based small press dedicated to publishing unique Learn Thai Language books and eBooks, as well as works on progressive spirituality.

Matthew – Gospel 28 – Jesus Has Risen

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had gone to look at the grave, 2 When suddenly a great earthquake occurred. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and seated himself upon it. 3 His appearance was as dazzling as lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow; 4 And, in their terror of him, the men on guard trembled violently and became like dead men.

5 But the angel, addressing the women, said: “You need not be afraid. I now that it is Jesus, who was crucified, for whom you are looking. 6 He is not here; for he has risen, as he said he would. Come, and see the place where he was lying; 7 And then go quickly and say to his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead, and is going before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Remember, I have told you.”

8 On this they left the tomb quickly, in awe and great joy, and ran to tell the news to the disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Welcome!” he said. The women went up to him, and clasped his feet, bowing to the ground before him. Then Jesus said to them: 10 “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to set out for Galilee, and they shall see me there.”

11 While they were still on their way, some of the guard came into the city, and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 So they and the elders met and, after holding a consultation, gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 And told them to say that his disciples came in the night, and stole him while they were asleep; 14 “And should this matter come before the governor,” they added, “we will satisfy him, and see that you have nothing to fear. 15 So the soldiers took the money, and did as they were instructed. And this story has been current among the Jews from that day to this.

16 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to meet him; 17 And, when they saw him, they bowed to the ground before him; although some felt doubtful. 18 Then Jesus came up, and spoke to them: “All authority in heaven and on the earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the faith of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 And teaching them to lay to heart all the commands that I have given you; and remember I myself am with you every day until the close of the age.”

To read the previous chapter of the Book of Matthew, please go to The Gospel of Matthew – 27.

This Online New Testament Gospel of Matthew is excerpted from the book The Living Hour: The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life (with New Century Gospels). Including over 200 bookmarked citations from the canonical Gospels, this Progressive Christian book appeals to the Unitarian spirit at the heart of all faiths.

Challenge your perceptions on the Gospel of Christ, Jesus’s parables, and the Kingdom of God by purchasing The Lord’s Prayer book today. Produced by LivingHour.org, a Thailand-based small press dedicated to publishing unique Learn Thai Language books and eBooks, as well as works on progressive spirituality.