What Jesus Said About Learning, Teaching & Personal Growth (81 Teachings)

The Father's teaching can be recognized by those who truly desire to do God's will.

Read the Scripture John 7:16–17

King James Version

John 7:16–17

¹⁶Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
¹⁷If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

The Father is true, and Jesus speaks what he has heard from the Father.

Read the Scripture John 8:26, 28, 38, 40

King James Version

John 8:26, 28, 38, 40

²⁶I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
²⁸Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
³⁸I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
⁴⁰But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

The Father is glorified when disciples bear much fruit.

Read the Scripture John 15:8

King James Version

John 15:8

⁸Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

The Father sends the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, in Jesus' name to teach the disciples and remind them of his words.

Read the Scripture John 14:26

King James Version

John 14:26

²⁶But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

The Spirit guides disciples into truth, speaks what he hears, and glorifies Jesus.

Read the Scripture John 16:13–15

King James Version

John 16:13–15

¹³Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
¹⁴He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
¹⁵All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Jesus' teaching comes from the One who sent him.

Read the Scripture John 7:16

King James Version

John 7:16

¹⁶Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

Jesus is Teacher and Lord.

Read the Scripture John 13:13–14

King James Version

John 13:13–14

¹³Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
¹⁴If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

The kingdom's mysteries are given to receptive disciples.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:10–17; Mark 4:10–12; Luke 8:9–10

King James Version

Matthew 13:10–17

¹⁰And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
¹¹He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
¹²For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
¹³Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
¹⁴And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
¹⁵For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
¹⁶But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
¹⁷For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Mark 4:10–12

¹⁰And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
¹¹And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
¹²That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

Luke 8:9–10

⁹And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
¹⁰And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

A trained disciple of the kingdom brings out old and new treasures.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:51–52

King James Version

Matthew 13:51–52

⁵¹Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
⁵²Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Everyone who hears and learns from the Father comes to Jesus.

Read the Scripture John 6:45

King James Version

John 6:45

⁴⁵It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Continuing in Jesus' word marks genuine discipleship.

Read the Scripture John 8:31

King James Version

John 8:31

³¹Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Disciples are salt and must not lose their distinctive usefulness.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34–35

King James Version

Matthew 5:13

¹³Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Mark 9:50

⁵⁰Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Luke 14:34–35

³⁴Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
³⁵It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Disciples are light and should let good works point others to the Father.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:14–16

King James Version

Matthew 5:14–16

¹⁴Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
¹⁵Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

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.

Hearing God's word and keeping it is more blessed than mere biological proximity to Jesus.

Read the Scripture Luke 11:27–28

King James Version

Luke 11:27–28

²⁷And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
²⁸But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

After failure, return and strengthen fellow disciples.

Read the Scripture Luke 22:31–32

King James Version

Luke 22:31–32

³¹And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
³²But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Count the cost of discipleship.

Read the Scripture Luke 14:25–35

King James Version

Luke 14:25–35

²⁵And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
²⁶If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
²⁷And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
²⁸For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
²⁹Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
³⁰Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
³¹Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
³²Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
³³So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
³⁴Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
³⁵It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Whoever does not bear the cross and follow Jesus cannot be his disciple.

Read the Scripture Luke 14:27

King James Version

Luke 14:27

²⁷And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

A disciple is not above the teacher but should become like the teacher.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:24–25; Luke 6:40

King James Version

Matthew 10:24–25

²⁴The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
²⁵It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Luke 6:40

⁴⁰The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

If the world persecuted Jesus, disciples should expect persecution.

Read the Scripture John 15:18–20

King James Version

John 15:18–20

¹⁸If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
¹⁹If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
²⁰Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; disciples must remain in the vine.

Read the Scripture John 15:4–5

King James Version

John 15:4–5

⁴Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
⁵I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Fruitlessness leads to judgment imagery, while fruitful branches are pruned.

Read the Scripture John 15:2, 6

King James Version

John 15:2, 6

²Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
⁶If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

The mission includes making disciples, baptizing, and teaching obedience to all Jesus commanded.

Read the Scripture Matthew 28:19–20

King James Version

Matthew 28:19–20

¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Make disciples of all nations.

Read the Scripture Matthew 28:19

King James Version

Matthew 28:19

¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teach disciples to obey everything Jesus commanded.

Read the Scripture Matthew 28:20

King James Version

Matthew 28:20

²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees: their teaching and their hypocrisy.

Read the Scripture Matthew 16:5–12; Mark 8:15; Luke 12:1

King James Version

Matthew 16:5–12

⁵And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
⁶Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
⁷And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
⁸Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
⁹Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
¹⁰Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
¹¹How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
¹²Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Mark 8:15

¹⁵And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

Luke 12:1

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.

Scribes and Pharisees may sit in Moses' seat, but their hypocrisy should not be imitated.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:1–3

King James Version

Matthew 23:1–3

¹Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
²Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
³All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

The wise and foolish builders teach that hearing Jesus without obedience is ruinous, while obedience gives stability.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:24–27; Luke 6:46–49

King James Version

Matthew 7:24–27

²⁴Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
²⁵And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
²⁶And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
²⁷And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Luke 6:46–49

⁴⁶And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
⁴⁷Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
⁴⁸He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
⁴⁹But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

The parables of the new patch and the new wine teach that the new life Jesus brings needs new forms.

Read the Scripture Matthew 9:16–17; Mark 2:21–22; Luke 5:36–39

King James Version

Matthew 9:16–17

¹⁶No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
¹⁷Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

Mark 2:21–22

²¹No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.
²²And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Luke 5:36–39

³⁶And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
³⁷And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
³⁸But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
³⁹No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

Children in the marketplace picture a generation determined to criticize both John and Jesus.

Read the Scripture Matthew 11:16–19; Luke 7:31–35

King James Version

Matthew 11:16–19

¹⁶But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
¹⁷And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
¹⁸For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
¹⁹The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Luke 7:31–35

³¹And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
³²They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
³³For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
³⁴The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
³⁵But wisdom is justified of all her children.

The strong man teaches that Jesus' victory over demons displays a stronger power binding the enemy.

Read the Scripture Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21–22

King James Version

Matthew 12:29

²⁹Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

Mark 3:27

²⁷No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Luke 11:21–22

²¹When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
²²But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

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 sower teaches that the same word produces different outcomes depending on the hearer's heart and perseverance.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:3–23; Mark 4:3–20; Luke 8:5–15

King James Version

Matthew 13:3–23

³And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
⁴And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
⁵Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
⁶And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
⁷And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
⁸But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
⁹Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
¹⁰And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
¹¹He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
¹²For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
¹³Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
¹⁴And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
¹⁵For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
¹⁶But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
¹⁷For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
¹⁸Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
¹⁹When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
²⁰But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
²¹Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
²²He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
²³But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Mark 4:3–20

³Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
⁴And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
⁵And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
⁶But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
⁷And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
⁸And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
⁹And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
¹⁰And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
¹¹And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
¹²That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
¹³And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
¹⁴The sower soweth the word.
¹⁵And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
¹⁶And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
¹⁷And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
¹⁸And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
¹⁹And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
²⁰And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Luke 8:5–15

⁵A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
⁶And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
⁷And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
⁸And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
⁹And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
¹⁰And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
¹¹Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
¹²Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
¹³They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
¹⁴And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
¹⁵But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

The lamp under a basket teaches that revelation is meant to be disclosed.

Read the Scripture Mark 4:21–25; Luke 8:16–18; 11:33

King James Version

Mark 4:21–25

²¹And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
²²For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
²³If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
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.
²⁵For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

Luke 8:16–18

¹⁶No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
¹⁷For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
¹⁸Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Luke 11:33

³³No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

The measure teaches that receptivity affects what more a person receives.

Read the Scripture Mark 4:24–25; Luke 8:18

King James Version

Mark 4:24–25

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.
²⁵For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

Luke 8:18

¹⁸Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

The growing seed teaches that God's kingdom grows through processes humans do not fully control.

Read the Scripture Mark 4:26–29

King James Version

Mark 4:26–29

²⁶And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
²⁷And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
²⁸For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
²⁹But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

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 mustard seed teaches that God's kingdom can begin tiny and grow greatly.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:31–32; Mark 4:30–32; Luke 13:18–19

King James Version

Matthew 13:31–32

³¹Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
³²Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Mark 4:30–32

³⁰And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
³¹It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
³²But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

Luke 13:18–19

¹⁸Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
¹⁹It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

The leaven teaches that God's kingdom works pervasively from within.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20–21

King James Version

Matthew 13:33

³³Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Luke 13:20–21

²⁰And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
²¹It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

The hidden treasure teaches the kingdom's incomparable value and the joy of sacrificing lesser goods for it.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:44

King James Version

Matthew 13:44

⁴⁴Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

The pearl of great price teaches the supreme worth of the kingdom.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:45–46

King James Version

Matthew 13:45–46

⁴⁵Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
⁴⁶Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

The dragnet teaches broad gathering followed by final separation of righteous and wicked.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:47–50

King James Version

Matthew 13:47–50

⁴⁷Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
⁴⁸Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
⁴⁹So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
⁵⁰And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The lost sheep teaches God's concern for each wandering one and joy over repentance.

Read the Scripture Matthew 18:12–14; Luke 15:3–7

King James Version

Matthew 18:12–14

¹²How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
¹³And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
¹⁴Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Luke 15:3–7

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.

The unforgiving servant teaches that those forgiven an unpayable debt must forgive others.

Read the Scripture Matthew 18:23–35

King James Version

Matthew 18:23–35

²³Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
²⁴And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
²⁵But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
²⁶The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
²⁷Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
²⁸But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
²⁹And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
³⁰And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
³¹So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
³²Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
³³Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
³⁴And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
³⁵So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

The workers in the vineyard teach God's sovereign generosity and rebuke envious entitlement.

Read the Scripture Matthew 20:1–16

King James Version

Matthew 20:1–16

¹For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
²And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
³And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
⁴And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
⁵Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
⁶And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
⁷They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
⁸So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
⁹And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
¹⁰But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
¹¹And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
¹²Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
¹³But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
¹⁴Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
¹⁵Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
¹⁶So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

The two sons teach that actual obedience matters more than verbal profession.

Read the Scripture Matthew 21:28–32

King James Version

Matthew 21:28–32

²⁸But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
²⁹He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
³⁰And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
³¹Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
³²For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

The wicked tenants teach judgment on leaders who reject God's messengers and finally his Son.

Read the Scripture Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12; Luke 20:9–19

King James Version

Matthew 21:33–46

³³Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
³⁴And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
³⁵And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
³⁶Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
³⁷But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
³⁸But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
³⁹And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
⁴⁰When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
⁴¹They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
⁴²Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
⁴³Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
⁴⁴And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
⁴⁵And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
⁴⁶But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Mark 12:1–12

¹And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
²And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
³And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
⁴And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
⁵And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
⁶Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
⁷But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
⁸And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
⁹What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.
¹⁰And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
¹¹This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
¹²And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

Luke 20:9–19

⁹Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
¹⁰And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
¹¹And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
¹²And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
¹³Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
¹⁴But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
¹⁵So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
¹⁶He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
¹⁷And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
¹⁸Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
¹⁹And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

The wedding banquet teaches that refusing God's invitation brings judgment and receiving it calls for a fitting response.

Read the Scripture Matthew 22:1–14

King James Version

Matthew 22:1–14

¹And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
²The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
³And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
⁴Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
⁵But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
⁶And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
⁷But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
⁸Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
⁹Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
¹⁰So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
¹¹And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
¹²And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
¹³Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
¹⁴For many are called, but few are chosen.

The fig tree illustration teaches discernment of approaching fulfillment.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:32–35; Mark 13:28–31; Luke 21:29–33

King James Version

Matthew 24:32–35

³²Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
³³So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
³⁴Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
³⁵Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Mark 13:28–31

²⁸Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
²⁹So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
³⁰Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
³¹Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Luke 21:29–33

²⁹And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
³⁰When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
³¹So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
³²Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
³³Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

The homeowner and thief teach constant readiness because the Son of Man comes unexpectedly.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:43–44; Luke 12:39–40

King James Version

Matthew 24:43–44

⁴³But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
⁴⁴Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Luke 12:39–40

³⁹And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
⁴⁰Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

The ten virgins teach preparedness for a delayed and sudden arrival.

Read the Scripture Matthew 25:1–13

King James Version

Matthew 25:1–13

¹Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
²And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
³They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
⁴But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
⁵While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
⁶And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
⁷Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
⁸And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
⁹But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
¹⁰And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
¹¹Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
¹²But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
¹³Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The talents teach active, faithful stewardship of what the master entrusts.

Read the Scripture Matthew 25:14–30

King James Version

Matthew 25:14–30

¹⁴For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
¹⁵And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
¹⁶Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
¹⁷And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
¹⁸But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
¹⁹After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
²⁰And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
²¹His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
²²He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
²³His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
²⁴Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
²⁵And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
²⁶His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
²⁷Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
²⁸Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
²⁹For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
³⁰And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The sheep and goats teach final judgment in which treatment of the needy reveals allegiance to the King.

Read the Scripture Matthew 25:31–46

King James Version

Matthew 25:31–46

³¹When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
³²And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
³³And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
³⁴Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
³⁵For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
³⁷Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
³⁸When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
³⁹Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
⁴¹Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
⁴²For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
⁴³I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
⁴⁴Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
⁴⁵Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
⁴⁶And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

The Good Samaritan teaches that neighbor love crosses social boundaries and acts mercifully.

Read the Scripture Luke 10:25–37

King James Version

Luke 10:25–37

²⁵And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
²⁶He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
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.
²⁸And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
²⁹But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
³⁰And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
³¹And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
³²And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
³³But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
³⁴And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
³⁵And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
³⁶Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
³⁷And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

The friend at midnight teaches bold persistence in asking.

Read the Scripture Luke 11:5–8

King James Version

Luke 11:5–8

⁵And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
⁶For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
⁷And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
⁸I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

The rich fool teaches that material abundance without readiness before God is folly.

Read the Scripture Luke 12:16–21

King James Version

Luke 12:16–21

¹⁶And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
¹⁷And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
¹⁸And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
¹⁹And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
²⁰But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
²¹So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

The watchful servants teach readiness for the master's return.

Read the Scripture Luke 12:35–38

King James Version

Luke 12:35–38

³⁵Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
³⁶And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
³⁷Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
³⁸And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

The barren fig tree teaches divine patience and the urgency of repentance.

Read the Scripture Luke 13:6–9

King James Version

Luke 13:6–9

⁶He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
⁷Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
⁸And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
⁹And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

The lowest seat at a feast teaches humility rather than self-promotion.

Read the Scripture Luke 14:7–11

King James Version

Luke 14:7–11

⁷And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
⁸When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
⁹And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
¹⁰But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
¹¹For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The great banquet teaches that excuses can exclude the privileged while the marginalized receive God's invitation.

Read the Scripture Luke 14:15–24

King James Version

Luke 14:15–24

¹⁵And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
¹⁶Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
¹⁷And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
¹⁸And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
¹⁹And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
²⁰And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
²¹So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
²²And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
²³And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
²⁴For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

The tower builder teaches counting the cost before claiming discipleship.

Read the Scripture Luke 14:28–30

King James Version

Luke 14:28–30

²⁸For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
²⁹Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
³⁰Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

The king considering war teaches sober calculation of the cost of discipleship.

Read the Scripture Luke 14:31–32

King James Version

Luke 14:31–32

³¹Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
³²Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

The lost coin teaches God's joy over recovering one sinner.

Read the Scripture Luke 15:8–10

King James Version

Luke 15:8–10

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.

The prodigal son teaches repentance, lavish welcome, and restoration of the lost.

Read the Scripture Luke 15:11–24

King James Version

Luke 15:11–24

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.

The older brother warns against self-righteous resentment of grace.

Read the Scripture Luke 15:25–32

King James Version

Luke 15:25–32

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.

The dishonest manager teaches shrewd use of temporary resources with eternity in view without endorsing dishonesty.

Read the Scripture Luke 16:1–9

King James Version

Luke 16:1–9

¹And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
²And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
³Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
⁴I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
⁵So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
⁶And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
⁷Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
⁸And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
⁹And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

The rich man and Lazarus teach the danger of luxurious indifference, postmortem reversal, and the sufficiency of revealed warning.

Read the Scripture Luke 16:19–31

King James Version

Luke 16:19–31

¹⁹There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
²⁰And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
²¹And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
²²And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
²³And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
²⁴And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
²⁵But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
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.
²⁷Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
²⁸For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
²⁹Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
³⁰And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
³¹And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

The unworthy servants teach that obedience does not make God indebted to the servant.

Read the Scripture Luke 17:7–10

King James Version

Luke 17:7–10

⁷But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
⁸And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
⁹Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
¹⁰So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

The persistent widow teaches persistent prayer and confidence that God will bring justice.

Read the Scripture Luke 18:1–8

King James Version

Luke 18:1–8

¹And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
²Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
³And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
⁴And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
⁵Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
⁶And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
⁷And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
⁸I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

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.

The parable of the pounds teaches faithful stewardship during the king's absence and accountability at his return.

Read the Scripture Luke 19:11–27

King James Version

Luke 19:11–27

¹¹And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
¹²He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
¹³And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
¹⁴But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
¹⁵And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
¹⁶Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
¹⁷And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
¹⁸And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
¹⁹And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
²⁰And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
²¹For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
²²And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
²³Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
²⁴And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
²⁵(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
²⁶For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
²⁷But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

The sheepfold metaphor teaches that legitimate shepherding comes through the true gate and the sheep recognize the shepherd's voice.

Read the Scripture John 10:1–5

King James Version

John 10:1–5

¹Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
²But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
³To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
⁴And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
⁵And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

The good shepherd discourse teaches sacrificial shepherding, intimate knowledge, one flock, and security.

Read the Scripture John 10:7–18, 27–30

King James Version

John 10:7–18, 27–30

⁷Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
⁸All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
⁹I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
¹⁰The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
¹¹I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
¹²But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
¹³The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
¹⁴I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
¹⁵As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
¹⁶And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
¹⁷Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
¹⁸No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
²⁷My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
²⁸And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
²⁹My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
³⁰I and my Father are one.

The grain of wheat teaches that death can be the path to multiplied fruit.

Read the Scripture John 12:24

King James Version

John 12:24

²⁴Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

The vine and branches teach complete dependence on Jesus for spiritual fruitfulness.

Read the Scripture John 15:1–8

King James Version

John 15:1–8

¹I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
²Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
³Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
⁴Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
⁵I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
⁶If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
⁷If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
⁸Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Jesus' compassion for crowds includes teaching and feeding them.

Read the Scripture Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:34–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–13

King James Version

Matthew 14:13–21

¹³When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
¹⁴And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
¹⁵And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
¹⁶But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
¹⁷And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
¹⁸He said, Bring them hither to me.
¹⁹And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
²⁰And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
²¹And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

Mark 6:34–44

³⁴And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
³⁵And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:
³⁶Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.
³⁷He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?
³⁸He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
³⁹And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.
⁴⁰And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
⁴¹And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
⁴²And they did all eat, and were filled.
⁴³And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
⁴⁴And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

Luke 9:10–17

¹⁰And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
¹¹And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
¹²And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.
¹³But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.
¹⁴For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
¹⁵And they did so, and made them all sit down.
¹⁶Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
¹⁷And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

John 6:1–13

¹After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
²And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
³And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
⁴And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
⁵When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
⁶And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
⁷Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
⁸One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
⁹There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
¹⁰And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
¹¹And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
¹²When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
¹³Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

Repeated provision miracles should train disciples away from spiritual dullness.

Read the Scripture Matthew 16:8–11; Mark 8:17–21

King James Version

Matthew 16:8–11

⁸Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
⁹Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
¹⁰Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
¹¹How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Mark 8:17–21

¹⁷And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
¹⁸Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
¹⁹When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
²⁰And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
²¹And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

The Father prunes fruitful branches so they bear more fruit.

Read the Scripture John 15:2

King James Version

John 15:2

²Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Jesus' word cleanses disciples.

Read the Scripture John 15:3

King James Version

John 15:3

³Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Jesus is patient with weak disciples while repeatedly correcting them.

Read the Scripture Matthew 16:8–11; 17:17–20; Mark 8:17–21

King James Version

Matthew 16:8–11

⁸Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
⁹Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
¹⁰Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
¹¹How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Matthew 17:17–20

¹⁷Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
¹⁸And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
¹⁹Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
²⁰And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Mark 8:17–21

¹⁷And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
¹⁸Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
¹⁹When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
²⁰And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
²¹And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

Jesus dignifies women as theological conversation partners and disciples.

Read the Scripture Luke 10:38–42; John 4:7–26; 11:20–27

King James Version

Luke 10:38–42

³⁸Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

John 4:7–26

⁷There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
⁸(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
⁹Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
¹⁰Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
¹¹The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
¹²Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
¹³Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
¹⁴But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
¹⁵The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
¹⁶Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
¹⁷The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
¹⁸For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
¹⁹The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
²⁰Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
²¹Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
²²Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
²³But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
²⁴God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
²⁵The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
²⁶Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

John 11:20–27

²⁰Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
²¹Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
²²But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
²³Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
²⁴Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
²⁵Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
²⁶And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
²⁷She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

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