Jesus' Authority Challenged

(Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33)

1And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came on him with the elders, 2And spoke to him, saying, Tell us, by what authority do you these things? or who is he that gave you this authority? 3And he answered and said to them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 4The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? 5And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed you him not? 6But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. 7And they answered, that they could not tell from where it was. 8And Jesus said to them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

(Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12)

9Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to farmers, and went into a far country for a long time. 10And at the season he sent a servant to the farmers, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the farmers 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 farmers 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 to them? 16He shall come and destroy these farmers, 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?

18Whoever shall fall on that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Paying Taxes to Caesar

(Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17)

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. 20And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him to the power and authority of the governor. 21And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that you say and teach rightly, neither accept you the person of any, but teach the way of God truly: 22Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or no? 23But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, Why tempt you me? 24Show me a penny. Whose image and superscription has it? They answered and said, Caesar's. 25And he said to them, Render therefore to Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and to God the things which be God's. 26And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marveled at his answer, and held their peace.

Sadducees Question the Resurrection

(Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27)

27Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, 28Saying, Master, Moses wrote to us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother. 29There were therefore seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. 32Last of all the woman died also. 33Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

34And Jesus answering said to them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36Neither can they die any more: for they are equal to the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 37Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him. 39Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, you have well said. 40And after that they dared not ask him any question at all.

Whose Son is the Christ?

(Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37)

41And he said to them, How say they that Christ is David's son?

42And David himself said in the book of Psalms, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit you on my right hand,

43Till I make your enemies your footstool. 44David therefore calls him Lord, how is he then his son?

Beware of the Scribes

(Mark 12:38-40)

45Then in the audience of all the people he said to his disciples, 46Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47Which devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.