Study Desk

On a Sabbath,^[a] He passed through the grainfields.^(a) His disciples were picking heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.

But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?"

Jesus answered them, "Haven't you read what David and those who were with him did when he was hungry—

how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the sacred bread, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?^(b) He even gave some to those who were with him." ^(c)

Then He told them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

On another Sabbath^(d) He entered the synagogue and was teaching. A man was there whose right hand was paralyzed.

The scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely,^(e) to see if He would heal on the Sabbath, so that they could find a charge against Him.^(f)

But He knew their thoughts^(g) and told the man with the paralyzed hand, "Get up and stand here." ^[b] So he got up and stood there.

Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do what is good or to do what is evil, to save life or to destroy it?" ^(h)

After looking around at them all,⁽ⁱ⁾ He told him, "Stretch out your hand." ^(j) He did so, and his hand was restored.^[c]

They, however, were filled with rage and started discussing with one another what they might do to Jesus.

During those days He went out to the mountain to pray^(k) and spent all night in prayer to God.

When daylight came, He summoned His disciples,^(l) and He chose 12 of them—He also named them apostles:^(m)

Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;

Matthew and Thomas;⁽ⁿ⁾ James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot;

Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

After coming down with them, He stood on a level place with a large crowd of His disciples and a great number of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon.^(o)

They came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those tormented by unclean spirits were made well.

The whole crowd was trying to touch Him,^(p) because power was coming out from Him and healing them all.^(q)

Then looking up at^[d] His disciples, He said:^(r) You who are poor are blessed, because the kingdom of God is yours.

You who are now hungry are blessed, because you will be filled. You who now weep are blessed, because you will laugh.

You are blessed when people hate you, when they exclude you,^(s) insult you, and slander your name as evil ^(t) because of the Son of Man. ^(u)

"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! Take note—your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets. ^(v)

But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your comfort.

Woe to you who are now full, for you will be hungry. Woe to you^[e] who are now laughing, for you will mourn and weep.

Woe to you ^[f] when all people speak well of you, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the false prophets. ^(w)