Luke's Story (21 page)

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Authors: Tim Lahaye 7 Jerry B. Jenkins

BOOK: Luke's Story
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47
And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him,
48
and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.
 
Jesus’ Authority Questioned
 
20 Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel,
that
the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted
Him
2
and spoke to Him, saying, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?”
3
But He answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me:
4
The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?”
5
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then
a
did you not believe him?’
6
But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
7
So they answered that they did not know where
it was
from.
8
And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
 
The Parable of
the Wicked Vinedressers
19:45
a
NU-Text reads
those who were selling.
19:46
a
NU-Text reads
shall be.
b
Isaiah 56:7
c
Jeremiah 7:11
20:5
a
NU-Text and M-Text omit
then.
9
Then He began to tell the people this parable: “A certa
5
Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said,
6
“These things which you see—the days will come in which not
one
stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”
 
The Signs of the Times
and the End of the Age
7
So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign
will there be
when these things are about to take place?”
8
And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am
He,
’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore
a
do not go after them.
9
But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end
will
not
come
immediately.”
21:4
a
NU-Text omits
for God.
21:8
a
NU-Text omits
Therefore.
10
Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11
And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
12
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute
you,
delivering
you
up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.
13
But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
14
Therefore settle
it
in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;
15
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
16
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put
some
of you to death.
17
And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.
18
But not a hair of your head shall be lost.
19
By your patience possess your souls.
 
The Destruction of Jerusalem
20
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
21
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
22
For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23
But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.
24
And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
 
The Coming of the Son of Man
25
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26
men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heaetrayed evings begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
 
The Parable of the Fig Tree
29
Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
30
When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.
31
So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.
32
Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.
33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
 
The Importance of Watching
34
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
35
For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36
Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy
a
to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37
And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet.
38
Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.
 
The Plot to Kill Jesus
 
22 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.
2
And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.
3
Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.
4
So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.
5
And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.
6
So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.
 
Jesus and His Disciples
Prepare the Passover
7
Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed.
8
And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”
9
So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?”
10
And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters.
11
Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’
12
Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.”
21:36
a
NU-Text reads
may have strength.
13
So they went >
14
When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve
a
apostles with Him.
15
Then He said to them, “With
fervent
desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;
16
for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
17
Then He took the cup, and g
ave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide
it
among yourselves;
18
for I say to you,
a
I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19
And He took bread, gave thanks and broke
it,
and gave
it
to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
20
Likewise He also
took
the cup after supper, saying, “This cup
is
the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
21
But behold, the hand of My betrayer
is
with Me on the table.
20
And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”
23
Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.
 
The Disciples Argue
About Greatness
24
Now there was also a dispute among them, as td do t For the things concerning Me have an end.”
38
So they said, “Lord, look, here
are
two swords.”
And He said to them, “It is enough.”
 
The Prayer in the Garden
39
Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.
40
When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
41
And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed,
42
saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
43
Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.
44
And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
a
22:31
a
NU-Text omits
And the Lord said.
22:37
a
Isaiah 53:12
22:44
a
NU-Text brackets verses 43 and 44 as not in the original text.
45
When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.
46
Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”
 
Betrayal and Arrest
in Gethsemane
47
And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.
48
But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49
When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”
50
And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51
But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.
52
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
53
When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
Peter Denies Jesus,
and Weeps Bitterly
54
Having arrested Him, they led
Him
and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance.
55
Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.
56
And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.”

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