Jesus’ Authority Challenged
(Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33)

1And it came to pass, on one of those days, He teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, the priests, and scribes, along with the elders stood up against Him; 2and they spoke to Him, saying, Tell us by what authority you are doing these things? Who is the one having given you this authority? 3And responding He said to them, I will ask you one word; and you tell me: 4Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? 5And they reason among themselves saying, If we may say it is from heaven; He will say, Why did you not believe on him? 6And if we may say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet. 7And they responded, We do not know whence it is. 8And Jesus said to them, Neither do 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)

9And He began to speak to the people this parable, A man planted a vineyard and gave it out to husbandmen, and went away a long time. 10And in season he sent a servant to the husbandmen that they might give to him of the fruit of the vineyard, and the husbandmen beating him, sent him away empty. 11And he proceeded to send to them another servant, and they beating and dishonoring him sent him away empty. 12And he proceeded to send a third: and wounding him, they cast him out also. 13And the lord of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my own beloved son: perchance seeing, they will reverence him. 14And the husbandmen, seeing him, reasoned among themselves saying, This is the heir; let us kill him, in order that the inheritance may be ours. 15And casting him out from the vineyard they slew him; what then will the lord of the vineyard do? 16He will come and destroy those husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others. And hearing, they said, Let it not be so.

17And looking upon them, He said, What is that which has been written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same has come to be the head of the corner.

18Every one having fallen on that stone will be dashed to pieces; and on whomsoever it may fall, it will grind him to powder.

Paying Taxes to Caesar
(Matthew 22:15–22; Mark 12:13–17)

19And the chief priests and scribes sought to lay hands on Him at this hour, and feared the people; for they knew that He spoke this parable against them. 20And laying in wait for Him, they sent sharpers, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might catch his word, in order to turn Him over to the government and authority of the proconsul. 21They asked Him saying, Teacher, we know that thou dost speak and teach correctly; and thou dost not receive the face; but thou dost teach the way of God in truth: 22is it lawful for us give tribute to Caesar, or not? 23And He knowing their rascality, said to them, Why tempt ye me?

24Show me the denarion. Whose image and superscription has it? And they responding said, Caesar's. 25And He said to them, Therefore render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things which are God's. 26And they were not able to criticise His word before the people: and being astonished at His answer, they were silent.

The Sadducees and the Resurrection
(Matthew 22:23–33; Mark 12:18–27)

27And certain ones of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, coming forward asked Him, 28saying, Teacher, Moses wrote to us, That if the brother of any one may die having a wife, and the same may die childless, that his brother must take his wife and raise up seed to his brother. 29Then there were seven brothers; and the first receiving a wife died childless. 30And the second 31and the third received her, and likewise also the seven; they left no children and died. 32Last of all the woman also died. 33Therefore in the resurrection of which one of them is she the wife? for the seven had her a wife.

34And responding Jesus said to them, The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35but those counted worthy to attain that age and the resurrection, which is from the dead, 36neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they are not able yet to die; for they are like the angels, and sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37But that the dead are raised, Moses also mentioned at the Bush, when he says; The Lord, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live unto Him. 39And certain of the scribes responding said; Teacher, you spoke beautifully. 40And they no longer dared to ask Him anything.

Whose Son Is the Christ?
(Matthew 22:41–46; Mark 12:35–37)

41And He said to them; How do they say that the Christ is the son of David?

42And David himself says in the Book of the Psalms, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

43until I may make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. 44Therefore David calls Him Lord, and how is He his son?

Beware of the Scribes
(Mark 12:38–40)

45And all the people hearing, He said to His disciples,

46Beware of the scribes, wishing to walk about in robes, and loving salutations in the forums, and the first seats in the synagogues, and the first couches at the suppers, 47Who devour the houses of the widows, and pray long through pretext; they shall receive the greater judgment.