113 passages · Jesus and the church
Elijah finds Elisha plowing and throws his cloak over him. Elisha says goodbye to his family, slaughters his oxen for a farewell meal, and follows Elijah as his attendant.
On the way from Gilgal, Elijah three times asks Elisha to stay behind, and each time Elisha vows not to leave him. Groups of prophets at Bethel and Jericho tell Elisha that Elijah will be taken that day.
Walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus calls two pairs of fishermen brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, then James and John. They immediately leave their nets, boat and family to follow him.
Jesus opens his teaching by declaring who is blessed: the poor in spirit, mourners, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, peacemakers and the persecuted. He tells his followers to rejoice, since prophets before them were also persecuted.
Jesus calls his followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Their good deeds should be visible so that others will glorify the Father in heaven.
Jesus warns against doing good deeds to be seen by others. Giving to the needy should be done quietly, and the Father who sees in secret will reward it.
Jesus tells his followers not to make a show of fasting. They should look normal outwardly, and the Father who sees in secret will reward them.
Jesus contrasts a wide gate and broad road that lead to destruction with a small gate and narrow way that lead to life. Few find the second.
Jesus compares those who hear and obey his words to a wise man building on rock, and those who hear and do not obey to a fool building on sand. When he finishes, the crowds are amazed because he teaches with authority, unlike their scribes.
A scribe says he will follow Jesus anywhere, and Jesus says the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. Another disciple wants to bury his father first, and Jesus tells him to follow him now.
Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him, and Matthew does. At dinner with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus answers the Pharisees' complaint by saying he has come to call sinners, not the righteous, and quotes 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'
John's disciples ask why Jesus' disciples do not fast. Jesus says guests do not mourn while the bridegroom is present, and that new wine needs new wineskins, suggesting something new has begun.
Jesus gives his twelve disciples authority over unclean spirits and disease, and Matthew lists their names, ending with Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Jesus warns that he sends them like sheep among wolves, and they will be handed over to councils and brought before governors and kings. They are told the Spirit will speak through them, and to endure to the end or flee to the next town.
Jesus says he has come with a sword, not peace, and that loyalty to him may divide households, using words from the prophet Micah. Loving family more than him, or refusing to take up a cross, makes one unworthy of him, and losing one's life for him means finding it.
Jesus tells the twelve that welcoming them is welcoming him and the Father who sent him. Even a cup of cold water given to a disciple will not lose its reward.
When told his mother and brothers are outside, Jesus points to his disciples and says they are his mother and brothers. Whoever does the will of his Father in heaven belongs to his family.
Jesus warns the disciples to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and they think he is talking about bread. He reminds them of the two feedings, and they realize he meant those leaders' teaching.
Jesus says anyone who wants to follow him must deny himself and take up his cross, and that losing one's life for him means finding it. He asks what profit there is in gaining the world but losing one's soul, and says the Son of Man will come in glory.
The disciples ask who is greatest in the kingdom, and Jesus sets a child among them. He says they must change and become like children, and that whoever humbles himself is greatest and welcoming such a child welcomes him.
Jesus warns that causing one of his little ones to stumble is so grave that a millstone around the neck would be better. He uses hard sayings about cutting off a hand or eye to show how far to go to avoid sin, and says not to despise the little ones.
People bring children for Jesus to bless, and the disciples rebuke them. Jesus tells them to let the children come, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these, and he lays his hands on them.
Peter says the disciples have left everything and asks what they will get. Jesus promises that they will sit on twelve thrones in the renewal of all things and that all who leave much for him will receive a hundredfold and eternal life, adding that many who are first will be last.
The mother of James and John asks for the top places for her sons. Jesus says they will share his cup but the places are not his to grant, then teaches that greatness means serving, as he came to give his life as a ransom.
Jesus says only the Father knows the day or hour. He compares the coming to the days of Noah and to a thief in the night, and tells his followers to keep watch and be ready.
Jesus contrasts a faithful servant, who cares for the household while the master is away, with a wicked one who abuses others and is caught unprepared. The first is rewarded and the second is severely punished.
Ten young women wait for a bridegroom; five wise ones bring extra oil and five foolish ones do not. When he arrives at midnight the unready are shut out. Jesus ends with the call to keep watch.
A master entrusts money to three servants before traveling. Two double it and are praised, but the third buries his and is condemned as lazy and afraid. The master takes it away and casts him out.
On the way to the Mount of Olives Jesus says all will fall away, quoting a prophecy of the scattered sheep, and that he will go ahead to Galilee. Peter insists he never will, but Jesus says he will deny him three times.
On a mountain in Galilee the eleven see Jesus; they worship, though some doubt. He says all authority is his and sends them to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching, promising to be with them always.