Study Desk

And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,

And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.

but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.

For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?

for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him.

For he was saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!"

And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion, for we are many."

And he did not permit him but said to him, "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years,

For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I will be made well."

And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him."

For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her.

For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."

for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.