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The Question of Divorce

¹ He^(C1) set out from there and went to the region of Judea^(C2) and across the Jordan.^(C3) Then crowds converged on him again, and as was his custom he taught^(C4) them again.

² Some Pharisees^(C1) came to test^(C2) him, asking, “Is it lawful^(C3) for a man to divorce^(C4) his wife?” ^(C5)

³ He replied to them, “What did Moses

⁴ They said, “Moses permitted us to write divorce papers^(C1) and send her away.”^(C2)

⁵ But Jesus told them, “He wrote this command for you because of the hardness of your hearts.⁶ But from the beginning⁷ For this reason a man will leave ⁸ and the two will become one flesh.⁹ Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

¹⁰ When they were in the house again, the disciples questioned him about this matter. ¹¹ He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife¹² Also, if she divorces her husband

Blessing the Children

¹³ People^(C1) were bringing little children^(C2) to him in order that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked^(C3) them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw it, he was indignant^(C1) and said to them, “Let the little children come to me.¹⁵ Truly I tell you,¹⁶ After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands on^(C1) them and blessed^(C2) them.

The Rich Young Ruler

¹⁷ As^(C1) he was setting out on a journey,^(C2) a man ran up, knelt down^(C3) before him, and asked him, “Good^(C4) teacher,^(C5) what must I do to inherit^(C6) eternal life?” ^(C7)

¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?”¹⁹ You know the commandments: Do not murder;

²⁰ He said to him, “Teacher,^(C1) I have kept all these from my youth.”

²¹ Looking at him, Jesus loved him^(C1) and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor,²² But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving,^(C1) because he had many possessions.^(C2)

Possessions and the Kingdom

²³ Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth

²⁴ The disciples were astonished at his words. Again Jesus said to them, “Children,²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich

²⁶ They were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?” ^(C1)

²⁷ Looking at them, Jesus said, “With man it is impossible,

²⁸ Peter^(C1) began to tell him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”

²⁹ “Truly I tell you,”³⁰ who will not receive a hundred times³¹ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

The Third Prediction of His Death

³² They^(C1) were on the road, going up to Jerusalem,^(C2) and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were astonished, but those who followed him were afraid.^(C3) Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them the things that would happen to him.^{(C4) 33} “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man³⁴ and they will mock him, spit on him, flog

Suffering and Service

³⁵ James^(C1) and John,^(C2) the sons of Zebedee,^(C3) approached him and said, “Teacher,^(C4) we want you to do whatever we ask you.”

³⁶ “What do you want me to do for you?”

³⁷ They answered him, “Allow us to sit at your right and at your left in your glory.”^(C1)

³⁸ Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking.

³⁹ “We are able,” they told him.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with.^{(C1) 40} But to sit at my right or left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

⁴¹ When the ten disciples heard this, they began to be indignant with James and John.^{(C1) 42} Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over⁴³ But it is not so among you.⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all.⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man

A Blind Man Healed

⁴⁶ They^(C1) came to Jericho.^(C2) And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind^(C3) beggar,^(C4) was sitting by the road.^{(C5) 47} When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth,^(C1) he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David,^(C2) have mercy^(C3) on me!” ^{(C4) 48} Many warned him to keep quiet, but he was crying out all the more, “Have mercy on me,^(C1) Son of David!”

⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage!^(C1) Get up; he’s calling for you.” ⁵⁰ He threw off his coat,^(C1) jumped up, and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ Then Jesus answered him, “What do you want

“Rabboni,”^(F1)(C2) the blind man said to him, “I want to see.”

⁵² Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.”