Category Archives: Matthew

John the Baptizer 1 When Jesus finished placing this charge before his twelve disciples, he went on to teach and preach in their villages. 2-3 John, meanwhile, had been locked up in prison. When he got wind of what Jesus was doing, he sent his own disciples to ask, “Are you the One we’ve been […]

In Charge of the Sabbath 1-2 One Sabbath, Jesus was strolling with his disciples through a field of ripe grain. Hungry, the disciples were pulling off the heads of grain and munching on them. Some Pharisees reported them to Jesus: “Your disciples are breaking the Sabbath rules!” 3-5 Jesus said, “Really? Didn’t you ever read […]

A Harvest Story 1-3 At about that same time Jesus left the house and sat on the beach. In no time at all a crowd gathered along the shoreline, forcing him to get into a boat. Using the boat as a pulpit, he addressed his congregation, telling stories. 3-8 “What do you make of this? […]

The Death of John 1-2 At about this time, Herod, the regional ruler, heard what was being said about Jesus. He said to his servants, “This has to be John the Baptizer come back from the dead. That’s why he’s able to work miracles!” 3-5 Herod had arrested John, put him in chains, and sent […]

What Pollutes Your Life 1-2 After that, Pharisees and religion scholars came to Jesus all the way from Jerusalem, criticizing, “Why do your disciples play fast and loose with the rules?” 3-9 But Jesus put it right back on them. “Why do you use your rules to play fast and loose with God’s commands? God […]

Some Bad Yeast 1-4 Some Pharisees and Sadducees were on him again, pressing him to prove himself to them. He told them, “You have a saying that goes, ‘Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning.’ You find it easy enough to forecast the weather—why can’t you read the signs […]

Sunlight Poured from His Face 1-3 Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they […]

Whoever Becomes Simple Again 1 At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, “Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?” 2-5 For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return […]

Divorce 1-2 When Jesus had completed these teachings, he left Galilee and crossed the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan. Great crowds followed him there, and he healed them. 3 One day the Pharisees were badgering him: “Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” 4-6 […]

A Story About Workers 1-2 “God’s kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work. 3-5 “Later, about nine o’clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square […]