What Jesus Said About Sin, Morality & Right/Wrong (71 Teachings)

The second great command is to love one's neighbor as oneself.

Read the Scripture Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27

King James Version

Matthew 22:39

³⁹And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mark 12:31

³¹And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Luke 10:27

²⁷And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

All the Law and the Prophets hang on love of God and neighbor.

Read the Scripture Matthew 22:40

King James Version

Matthew 22:40

⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Judgment should be righteous rather than based on appearances.

Read the Scripture John 7:24

King James Version

John 7:24

²⁴Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

The Spirit convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.

Read the Scripture John 16:8–11

King James Version

John 16:8–11

⁸And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
⁹Of sin, because they believe not on me;
¹⁰Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
¹¹Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Jesus came to call sinners rather than the self-righteous.

Read the Scripture Matthew 9:13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:32

King James Version

Matthew 9:13

¹³But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Mark 2:17

¹⁷When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 5:32

³²I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Unless people believe that Jesus is who he claims to be, they will die in their sins.

Read the Scripture John 8:21–24

King James Version

John 8:21–24

²¹Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
²²Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
²³And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
²⁴I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Entrance into the kingdom requires righteousness deeper than performative legalism.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:20

King James Version

Matthew 5:20

²⁰For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Merely saying "Lord, Lord" does not secure entrance; doing the Father's will matters.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:21–23

King James Version

Matthew 7:21–23

²¹Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
²²Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
²³And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

People reject light because they love evil deeds.

Read the Scripture John 3:19–21

King James Version

John 3:19–21

¹⁹And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
²⁰For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
²¹But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Knowing the truth brings freedom.

Read the Scripture John 8:32–36

King James Version

John 8:32–36

³²And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
³³They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
³⁴Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
³⁵And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
³⁶If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.

Read the Scripture John 8:34

King James Version

John 8:34

³⁴Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

Jesus fulfills rather than abolishes the Law and Prophets.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:17

King James Version

Matthew 5:17

¹⁷Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

God's law is not trivialized in Jesus' teaching.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:18–19

King James Version

Matthew 5:18–19

¹⁸For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
¹⁹Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Anger and contempt toward a brother are morally serious.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:21–22

King James Version

Matthew 5:21–22

²¹Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
²²But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Lustful looking can constitute adultery of the heart.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:27–28

King James Version

Matthew 5:27–28

²⁷Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
²⁸But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Take radical action against sources of sin.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:29–30; 18:8–9; Mark 9:43–48

King James Version

Matthew 5:29–30

²⁹And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
³⁰And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Matthew 18:8–9

⁸Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
⁹And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Mark 9:43–48

⁴³And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
⁴⁴Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
⁴⁵And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
⁴⁶Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
⁴⁷And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
⁴⁸Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Textual note: Mark 9:44 and Mark 9:46 are not found in some of the earliest manuscripts.

Divorce is not a morally neutral escape from marital fidelity.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:31–32; 19:3–9; Mark 10:2–12; Luke 16:18

King James Version

Matthew 5:31–32

³¹It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
³²But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Matthew 19:3–9

³The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
⁴And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
⁵And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
⁶Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
⁷They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
⁸He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
⁹And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

Mark 10:2–12

²And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.
³And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?
⁴And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.
⁵And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.
⁶But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
⁷For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
⁸And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
⁹What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
¹⁰And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.
¹¹And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.
¹²And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Luke 16:18

¹⁸Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

A disciple's "yes" or "no" should be reliable without manipulative oaths.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:33–37

King James Version

Matthew 5:33–37

³³Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
³⁴But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
³⁵Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
³⁶Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
³⁷But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Do not retaliate in personal vengeance.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:38–42; Luke 6:29–30

King James Version

Matthew 5:38–42

³⁸Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
⁴⁰And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
⁴²Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Luke 6:29–30

²⁹And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
³⁰Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

Be willing to absorb insult and inconvenience rather than mirror hostility.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:39–41

King James Version

Matthew 5:39–41

³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
⁴⁰And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Love enemies and pray for persecutors.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27–28, 35

King James Version

Matthew 5:44

⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Luke 6:27–28, 35

²⁷But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
²⁸Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
³⁵But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Doing good only to those who do good to you falls short of kingdom love.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:46–47; Luke 6:32–33

King James Version

Matthew 5:46–47

⁴⁶For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
⁴⁷And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

Luke 6:32–33

³²For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
³³And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

Merciful love imitates the Father's character.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:45, 48; Luke 6:35–36

King James Version

Matthew 5:45, 48

⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
⁴⁸Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Luke 6:35–36

³⁵But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
³⁶Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Do not practice righteousness merely to be seen.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:1

King James Version

Matthew 6:1

¹Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

The inner eye can fill life with light or darkness.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:22–23; Luke 11:34–36

King James Version

Matthew 6:22–23

²²The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
²³But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Luke 11:34–36

³⁴The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
³⁵Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
³⁶If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

Do not judge hypocritically while ignoring your own greater fault.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:1–5; Luke 6:37, 41–42

King James Version

Matthew 7:1–5

¹Judge not, that ye be not judged.
²For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
³And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
⁴Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
⁵Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Luke 6:37, 41–42

³⁷Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
⁴¹And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
⁴²Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.

The measure used against others will be used against you.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:2; Mark 4:24; Luke 6:38

King James Version

Matthew 7:2

²For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Mark 4:24

²⁴And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Luke 6:38

³⁸Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Discernment is still required; do not give sacred things to those who will only trample them.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:6

King James Version

Matthew 7:6

⁶Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Treat others as you want them to treat you.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31

King James Version

Matthew 7:12

¹²Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Luke 6:31

³¹And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Enter through the narrow gate rather than the broad road to destruction.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:13–14; Luke 13:24

King James Version

Matthew 7:13–14

¹³Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
¹⁴Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Luke 13:24

²⁴Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

A good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bad fruit.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:17–20; 12:33; Luke 6:43–44

King James Version

Matthew 7:17–20

¹⁷Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
¹⁸A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
¹⁹Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
²⁰Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Matthew 12:33

³³Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

Luke 6:43–44

⁴³For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
⁴⁴For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

The mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart.

Read the Scripture Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45

King James Version

Matthew 12:34

³⁴O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Luke 6:45

⁴⁵A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Good and evil actions flow from what is stored in the heart.

Read the Scripture Matthew 12:35; Luke 6:45

King James Version

Matthew 12:35

³⁵A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Luke 6:45

⁴⁵A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

People will give account for careless words.

Read the Scripture Matthew 12:36–37

King James Version

Matthew 12:36–37

³⁶But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
³⁷For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Defilement comes fundamentally from the heart rather than food entering the body.

Read the Scripture Matthew 15:10–20; Mark 7:14–23

King James Version

Matthew 15:10–20

¹⁰And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
¹¹Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
¹²Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
¹³But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
¹⁴Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
¹⁵Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
¹⁶And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
¹⁷Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
¹⁸But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
¹⁹For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
²⁰These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Mark 7:14–23

¹⁴And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
¹⁵There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
¹⁶If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
¹⁷And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
¹⁸And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
¹⁹Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
²⁰And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
²¹For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
²²Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
²³All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Textual note: Mark 7:16 is not found in some of the earliest manuscripts.

Evil thoughts, sexual sins, theft, murder, adultery, greed, deceit, envy, slander, pride, and folly arise from within.

Read the Scripture Mark 7:20–23; Matthew 15:19

King James Version

Mark 7:20–23

²⁰And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
²¹For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
²²Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
²³All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Matthew 15:19

¹⁹For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Lip-service worship with a distant heart is vain.

Read the Scripture Matthew 15:7–9; Mark 7:6–7

King James Version

Matthew 15:7–9

⁷Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
⁸This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
⁹But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:6–7

⁶He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
⁷Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Do not elevate human rules into divine commandments.

Read the Scripture Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7–8

King James Version

Matthew 15:9

⁹But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:7–8

⁷Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
⁸For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

Beware hypocrisy because hidden things will be exposed.

Read the Scripture Luke 12:1–3

King James Version

Luke 12:1–3

¹In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
²For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
³Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Guard against every form of greed.

Read the Scripture Luke 12:15

King James Version

Luke 12:15

¹⁵And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Dishonesty in little predicts dishonesty in much.

Read the Scripture Luke 16:10

King James Version

Luke 16:10

¹⁰He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Avoid causing little ones or vulnerable believers to stumble.

Read the Scripture Matthew 18:6–7; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:1–2

King James Version

Matthew 18:6–7

⁶But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
⁷Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Mark 9:42

⁴²And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Luke 17:1–2

¹Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
²It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Temptations will come, but woe to the person through whom they come.

Read the Scripture Matthew 18:7; Luke 17:1

King James Version

Matthew 18:7

⁷Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Luke 17:1

¹Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

Beware outward cleanliness hiding inward corruption.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:25–28

King James Version

Matthew 23:25–28

²⁵Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
²⁶Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
²⁷Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
²⁸Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Justice, mercy, and faithfulness are weightier matters.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:23

King James Version

Matthew 23:23

²³Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Do not strain at a gnat and swallow a camel by fussing over small religious details while ignoring weightier duties.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:24

King James Version

Matthew 23:24

²⁴Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Clean the inside first so the outside may become clean.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:26

King James Version

Matthew 23:26

²⁶Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Pray not to be led into temptation and to be delivered from evil.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4

King James Version

Matthew 6:13

¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Luke 11:4

⁴And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Textual note: The closing words of Matthew 6:13 ("For thine is the kingdom…") are not found in the earliest manuscripts.

Present moral choices can have irreversible postmortem consequences.

Read the Scripture Luke 16:26

King James Version

Luke 16:26

²⁶And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Honor father and mother must not be nullified through religious loopholes.

Read the Scripture Matthew 15:4–6; Mark 7:9–13

King James Version

Matthew 15:4–6

⁴For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
⁵But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
⁶And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Mark 7:9–13

⁹And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
¹⁰For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
¹¹But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
¹²And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
¹³Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Causing a little one who believes to stumble is gravely serious.

Read the Scripture Matthew 18:6; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2

King James Version

Matthew 18:6

⁶But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Mark 9:42

⁴²And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Luke 17:2

²It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Love for Jesus is expressed by keeping his commandments.

Read the Scripture John 14:15, 21, 23–24

King James Version

John 14:15, 21, 23–24

¹⁵If ye love me, keep my commandments.
²¹He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
²³Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
²⁴He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

Scripture is authoritative in resisting temptation.

Read the Scripture Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; Luke 4:4, 8, 12

King James Version

Matthew 4:4, 7, 10

⁴But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
⁷Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
¹⁰Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Luke 4:4, 8, 12

⁴And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
⁸And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
¹²And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Scripture must not be twisted to justify testing God.

Read the Scripture Matthew 4:5–7; Luke 4:9–12

King James Version

Matthew 4:5–7

⁵Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
⁶And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
⁷Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Luke 4:9–12

⁹And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
¹⁰For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
¹¹And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
¹²And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

God's commands reach the heart and cannot be reduced to external compliance.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:21–48

King James Version

Matthew 5:21–48

²¹Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
²²But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
²³Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
²⁴Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
²⁵Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
²⁶Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
²⁷Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
²⁸But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
²⁹And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
³⁰And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
³¹It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
³²But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
³³Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
³⁴But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
³⁵Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
³⁶Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
³⁷But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
³⁸Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
⁴⁰And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
⁴²Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
⁴³Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
⁴⁶For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
⁴⁷And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
⁴⁸Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

"An eye for an eye" is not a license for personal revenge.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:38–42

King James Version

Matthew 5:38–42

³⁸Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
⁴⁰And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
⁴²Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Neighbor love must extend even to enemies.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:43–48

King James Version

Matthew 5:43–48

⁴³Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
⁴⁶For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
⁴⁷And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
⁴⁸Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Mercy outweighs ritualistic misuse of sacrifice.

Read the Scripture Matthew 9:13; 12:7

King James Version

Matthew 9:13

¹³But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matthew 12:7

⁷But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

Human tradition must not invalidate God's command.

Read the Scripture Matthew 15:1–9; Mark 7:1–13

King James Version

Matthew 15:1–9

¹Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
²Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
³But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
⁴For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
⁵But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
⁶And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
⁷Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
⁸This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
⁹But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:1–13

¹Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
²And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
³For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
⁴And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
⁵Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
⁶He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
⁷Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
⁸For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
⁹And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
¹⁰For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
¹¹But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
¹²And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
¹³Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Food entering the body is not the ultimate source of moral defilement.

Read the Scripture Mark 7:18–19; Matthew 15:17

King James Version

Mark 7:18–19

¹⁸And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
¹⁹Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

Matthew 15:17

¹⁷Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

Jesus refuses to condemn the woman caught in adultery, exposes her accusers' hypocrisy, and tells her to sin no more.

Read the Scripture John 7:53–8:11

King James Version

John 7:53–8:11

^7:53And every man went unto his own house.
^8:1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
^8:2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
^8:3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
^8:4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
^8:5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
^8:6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
^8:7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
^8:8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
^8:9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
^8:10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
^8:11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Textual note: John 7:53–8:11 (the woman caught in adultery) is not found in some of the earliest manuscripts.

Religious leaders become blind guides when tradition displaces God's command.

Read the Scripture Matthew 15:12–14

King James Version

Matthew 15:12–14

¹²Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
¹³But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
¹⁴Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Murderous falsehood morally resembles the devil.

Read the Scripture John 8:41–44

King James Version

John 8:41–44

⁴¹Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
⁴²Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
⁴³Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
⁴⁴Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

The returning unclean spirit warns that empty reform can end worse than the beginning.

Read the Scripture Matthew 12:43–45; Luke 11:24–26

King James Version

Matthew 12:43–45

⁴³When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
⁴⁴Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
⁴⁵Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Luke 11:24–26

²⁴When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
²⁵And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
²⁶Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

The weeds among wheat teach that good and evil coexist until final divine separation.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

King James Version

Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

²⁴Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
²⁵But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
²⁶But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
²⁷So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
²⁸He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
²⁹But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
³⁰Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
³⁶Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
³⁷He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
³⁸The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
³⁹The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
⁴⁰As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
⁴¹The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
⁴²And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
⁴³Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The Pharisee and tax collector teach humble repentance over self-righteous contempt.

Read the Scripture Luke 18:9–14

King James Version

Luke 18:9–14

⁹And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
¹⁰Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
¹¹The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
¹²I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
¹³And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Take heart; your sins are forgiven.

Read the Scripture Matthew 9:2

King James Version

Matthew 9:2

²And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Jesus warned the man he had healed to sin no more, lest something worse happen to him.

Read the Scripture John 5:14

King James Version

John 5:14

¹⁴Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

The Spirit convicts concerning sin because the world does not believe in Jesus.

Read the Scripture John 16:9

King James Version

John 16:9

⁹Of sin, because they believe not on me;

Jesus receives repentant sinners while confronting self-righteousness.

Read the Scripture Matthew 9:10–13; Luke 7:36–50; 15:1–32

King James Version

Matthew 9:10–13

¹⁰And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
¹¹And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
¹²But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
¹³But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 7:36–50

³⁶And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.
³⁷And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
³⁸And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
³⁹Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
⁴⁰And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
⁴¹There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
⁴²And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
⁴³Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
⁴⁴And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
⁴⁵Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
⁴⁶My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
⁴⁷Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
⁴⁸And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
⁴⁹And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
⁵⁰And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Luke 15:1–32

¹Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
²And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
³And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
⁴What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
⁵And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
⁶And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
⁷I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
⁸Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
⁹And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
¹⁰Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
¹¹And he said, A certain man had two sons:
¹²And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
¹³And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
¹⁴And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
¹⁵And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
¹⁶And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
¹⁷And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
¹⁹And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
²⁰And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
²¹And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
²²But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
²³And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
²⁴For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
²⁵Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
²⁶And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
²⁷And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
²⁸And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
²⁹And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
³⁰But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
³¹And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
³²It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Jesus combines mercy toward sinners with a call away from sin.

Read the Scripture Luke 7:36–50; John 8:11

King James Version

Luke 7:36–50

³⁶And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.
³⁷And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
³⁸And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
³⁹Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
⁴⁰And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
⁴¹There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
⁴²And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
⁴³Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
⁴⁴And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
⁴⁵Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
⁴⁶My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
⁴⁷Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
⁴⁸And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
⁴⁹And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
⁵⁰And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

John 8:11

¹¹She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Textual note: John 7:53–8:11 (the woman caught in adultery) is not found in some of the earliest manuscripts.

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