Jesus’ Authority Challenged (Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33)
1 UEB It came about one day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came to him with the elders. BSB BSB: One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him.
2 UEB They spoke, saying to him, "Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is who gave you this authority." BSB BSB: “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”
3 UEB He answered and said to them, "I will also ask you a question, and you tell me. BSB BSB: “I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me:
4 UEB The baptism of John: was it from heaven or from men?" BSB BSB: John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”
5 UEB They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' BSB BSB: They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’
6 UEB But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet." BSB BSB: But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
7 UEB So they answered that they did not know where it came from. BSB BSB: So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
8 UEB Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things." BSB BSB: And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12)
9 UEB He told the people this parable, "A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to vine growers, and went into another country for a long time. BSB BSB: Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time.
10 UEB At the appointed time he sent a servant to the vine growers, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vine growers beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. BSB BSB: At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed.
11 UEB He then sent yet another servant and they also beat him, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. BSB BSB: So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed.
12 UEB He also sent yet a third and they also wounded him, and threw him out. BSB BSB: Then he sent a third, but they wounded him and threw him out.
13 UEB So the lord of the vineyard said, 'What will I do? I will send my beloved son. Maybe they will respect him.' BSB BSB: ‘What shall I do?’ asked the owner of the vineyard. ‘I will send my beloved son. Perhaps they will respect him.’
14 UEB But when the vine growers saw him, they discussed among themselves, saying, 'This is the heir. Let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.' BSB BSB: But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
15 UEB They threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the lord of the vineyard do to them? BSB BSB: So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?
16 UEB He will come and destroy these vine growers, and will give the vineyard to others." When they heard it, they said, "May it never be!" BSB BSB: He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” And when the people heard this, they said, “May such a thing never happen!”
17 UEB But Jesus looked at them, and said, "What is the meaning of that which is written: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'? BSB BSB: But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?
18 UEB Every one who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces. But on whomever it falls, it will crush." BSB BSB: Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”
Paying Taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:15–22; Mark 12:13–17)
19 UEB So the scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him in that very hour, for they knew that he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. BSB BSB: When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people.
20 UEB Watching him carefully, they sent out spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might find fault with his speech, so as to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor. BSB BSB: So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.
21 UEB They asked him, saying, "Teacher, we know that you say and teach rightly, and are not influenced by anyone's position, but you teach the truth about the way of God. BSB BSB: “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
22 UEB Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" BSB BSB: Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
23 UEB But Jesus understood their craftiness, and said to them, BSB BSB: But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them,
24 UEB "Show me a denarius. Whose image and name is on it?" They said, "Caesar's." BSB BSB: “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they answered.
25 UEB He said to them, "Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." BSB BSB: So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
26 UEB They were not able to find fault with what he had said in front of the people, but marveling at his answer, they were silent. BSB BSB: And they were unable to trap Him in His words before the people. And amazed at His answer, they fell silent.
The Sadducees and the Resurrection (Matthew 22:23–33; Mark 12:18–27)
27 UEB When some of the Sadducees came to him, the ones who say that there is no resurrection, BSB BSB: Then some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to question Him.
28 UEB they asked him, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife, and being childless, the man should take the brother's wife, and have a child for his brother. BSB BSB: “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.
29 UEB There were seven brothers and the first took a wife, and died childless, BSB BSB: Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife but died childless.
30 UEB and the second as well. BSB BSB: Then the second
31 UEB The third took her, and likewise the seven also left no children, and died. BSB BSB: and the third married the widow, and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children.
32 UEB Afterward the woman also died. BSB BSB: And last of all, the woman died.
33 UEB In the resurrection then, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as their wife." BSB BSB: So then, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For all seven were married to her.”
34 UEB Jesus said to them, "The sons of this world marry and are given in marriage. BSB BSB: Jesus answered, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage.
35 UEB But those who are regarded as worthy in that age to receive the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. BSB BSB: But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage.
36 UEB Neither can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. BSB BSB: In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.
37 UEB But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the place concerning the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. BSB BSB: Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush. For he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’
38 UEB Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, because all live to him." BSB BSB: He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”
39 UEB Some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have answered well." BSB BSB: Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well!”
40 UEB For they did not dare ask him any more questions. BSB BSB: And they did not dare to question Him any further.
Whose Son Is the Christ? (Matthew 22:41–46; Mark 12:35–37)
41 UEB Jesus said to them, "How do they say that the Christ is David's son? BSB BSB: Then Jesus declared, “How can it be said that the Christ is the Son of David?
42 UEB For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand, BSB BSB: For David himself says in the book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand
43 UEB until I make your enemies your footstool.' BSB BSB: until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’
44 UEB David therefore calls the Christ 'Lord', so how is he David's son?" BSB BSB: Thus David calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?”
Beware of the Scribes (Mark 12:38–40)
45 UEB In the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, BSB BSB: In the hearing of all the people, Jesus said to His disciples,
46 UEB "Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love special greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts. BSB BSB: “Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets.
47 UEB They also devour widows' houses, and for a show they make long prayers. Men like this will receive greater condemnation." BSB BSB: They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”