RationalWiki:Annotated Bible/Matthew

See the main article on this topic: Gospel of Matthew

Matthew Chapter 1

Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.	Matthew 1:1 Notes Let's get begetting! It's worth noting that there is zero non-biblical evidence to support any of these begettings.
Matthew 1:2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;	Matthew 1:2 Notes
Matthew 1:3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;	Matthew 1:3 Notes
Matthew 1:4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;	Matthew 1:4 Notes
Matthew 1:5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;	Matthew 1:5 Notes
Matthew 1:6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;	Matthew 1:6 Notes
Matthew 1:7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;	Matthew 1:7 Notes
Matthew 1:8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;	Matthew 1:8 Notes
Matthew 1:9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;	Matthew 1:9 Notes
Matthew 1:10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;	Matthew 1:10 Notes
Matthew 1:11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:	Matthew 1:11 Notes
Matthew 1:12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;	Matthew 1:12 Notes
Matthew 1:13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;	Matthew 1:13 Notes
Matthew 1:14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;	Matthew 1:14 Notes
Matthew 1:15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;	Matthew 1:15 Notes
Matthew 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.	Matthew 1:16 Notes See the main article on this topic: Genealogy of Jesus In this section Matthew is trying to establish a clear line of descent from King David to Jesus as part of the gospel's overall theme of Jesus as a Davidic king. But Joseph was not Jesus' father, so the family tree is irrelevant
Matthew 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.	Matthew 1:17 Notes Matthew didn't get the memo in Titus 3:9 to avoid boring genealogies...
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.	Matthew 1:18 Notes There is a simpler explanation, and how Joseph and Mary managed to escaping being stoned to death for fornication would make a more interesting story; … unless it was quite common for the Holy Ghost to spread it about a bit. The word translated as espoused, engaged, or most often betrothed refers to a specific institution of the period very different from the modern idea of an engagement. This period occurred after the main marriage ceremony had taken place and the marriage contracts had been signed. Dissolution thus required a formal divorce or the death of one partner. In general, the betrothal ceremony took place when the woman was still very young, generally around age twelve or thirteen. After the ceremony she would remain in their father's house for around a year, and this period is what is referred to in this verse. There were several Virgin Birth stories in the Jewish tradition and the idea of virgin births was generally accepted by the population.
Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.	Matthew 1:19 Notes
Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.	Matthew 1:20 Notes
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.	Matthew 1:21 Notes
Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,	Matthew 1:22 Notes Matthew 1:22-23 is allegedly the fulfillment of a prophecy made in Isaiah 7:14 that Jesus would be born of a virgin. Matthew built this prophecy around a mistranslation of Isaiah, which was not referring to Jesus.
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.	Matthew 1:23 Notes This is the only mention of the name Emmanuel in the entire New Testament.
Matthew 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:	Matthew 1:24 Notes
Matthew 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.	Matthew 1:25 Notes Some Christians take this to mean that Joseph and Mary had a normal married relationship after Jesus was born. By contrast, Roman Catholics believe Mary and Joseph remained celibate.

Matthew Chapter 2

Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,	Matthew 2:1 Notes Adoration of the Magi by Hieronymus Bosch (c. 1495) Historians generally place Herod's death in 4 BCE, meaning the birth of a historic Jesus would have had to occur before this. Note that "wise men" actually refers to Magi, priests in the Zoroastrian religion. Also note there is no mention of the number of them, beyond being plural.
Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.	Matthew 2:2 Notes As described here, the exact identity of said star assuming it had been real at all is disputed, with candidates including several planetary(-star) conjunctions, a comet, and even a supernova/hypernova as far away as Andromeda. At the time, the notion of new stars as beacons of major events were common, being reported for such figures as Alexander the Great, Mithridates VI of Pontus, Abraham, and Augustus. How could King Herod's own advisors have been unaware of a star so bright and obvious that it could have led the wise men to Jerusalem?
Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.	Matthew 2:3 Notes
Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.	Matthew 2:4 Notes Records from that period show that Herod and the Sanhedrin were sharply divided and their relations acrimonious. Schweizer states that Herod calling and consulting with the council is "historically almost inconceivable."
Matthew 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,	Matthew 2:5 Notes
Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.	Matthew 2:6 Notes Matthew 2:4-6 is allegedly the fulfillment of a prophecy made in Micah 5:2 that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. Matthew 2:6 is a bad quote of Micah 5:2, which was not referring to Jesus.
Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.	Matthew 2:7 Notes
Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.	Matthew 2:8 Notes It seems unlikely that King Herod would leave this seemingly important tasks to the unknown Magi and not to trusted advisors.
Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.	Matthew 2:9 Notes
Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.	Matthew 2:10 Notes
Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.	Matthew 2:11 Notes
Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.	Matthew 2:12 Notes
Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.	Matthew 2:13 Notes
Matthew 2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:	Matthew 2:14 Notes The flight to Egypt is, among the gospels, unique to Matthew.
Matthew 2:15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.	Matthew 2:15 Notes Matthew 2:15 quotes Hosea 11:1, alleging that it fulfills a prophecy of Jesus. However, analysis of the context of Hosea indicates that it was not intended as a prophecy.
Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.	Matthew 2:16 Notes There is an unfortunate lack of divine intervention here and it seems a cruel irony that these children were massacred as the messiah, as an infant, escaped. As there is very little historical evidence available to prove that this event ever occurred, it is highly probable that it did not.
Matthew 2:17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,	Matthew 2:17 Notes
Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.	Matthew 2:18 Notes In this verse, Matthew quotes Jeremiah 31:15, claiming that it was a prophecy of King Herod's alleged slaughter of the children in and around Bethlehem after the birth of Jesus. But this passage refers to the Babylonian captivity, as is clear by reading the next two verses (16 and 17), and, thus, has nothing to do with Herod's massacre.
Matthew 2:19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,	Matthew 2:19 Notes
Matthew 2:20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.	Matthew 2:20 Notes
Matthew 2:21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.	Matthew 2:21 Notes
Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:	Matthew 2:22 Notes
Matthew 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.	Matthew 2:23 Notes Matthew here quotes from Judges 13:5, which was referring not to Jesus, but Samson — who was a Nazarite, something that had nothing to do with Nazareth. The existence of Nazareth has been disputed.

Matthew Chapter 3

Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,	Matthew 3:1 Notes "The Sermon of St John the Baptist" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1566)
Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.	Matthew 3:2 Notes
Matthew 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.	Matthew 3:3 Notes Essias is a reference to the prophet Isaiah. Matthew quotes straight from Isaiah 40:3
Matthew 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.	Matthew 3:4 Notes ἔνδυμα can be translated as raiment, cloak, or outer garment. It's probably not a shirt or a robe, as there are more accurate terms for those garments. ζώνην is usually only referred to as a girdle for women; for men, it's the kind of belt that goes around the waist. ὀσφὺν is the lower part of the back between the bottom ribs and hips. The verse is an overly rosy description of a man wandering around the desert with no pants or shoes wearing nothing but a cloak made out of camel hair held shut by a belt. What's he eat? Bugs and wild honey. How do you get wild honey? You get the shit stung out of you reaching into the hollows of trees and knocking beehives off branches. Bees don't part with the stuff willingly (unless you smoke them a bit). So in addition to looking like a derelict, he's also probably filthy and covered in sores.
Matthew 3:5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,	Matthew 3:5 Notes
Matthew 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.	Matthew 3:6 Notes
Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?	Matthew 3:7 Notes
Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:	Matthew 3:8 Notes
Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.	Matthew 3:9 Notes
Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.	Matthew 3:10 Notes
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:	Matthew 3:11 Notes
Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.	Matthew 3:12 Notes
Matthew 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.	Matthew 3:13 Notes
Matthew 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?	Matthew 3:14 Notes
Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.	Matthew 3:15 Notes
Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:	Matthew 3:16 Notes
Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.	Matthew 3:17 Notes

Matthew Chapter 4

Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.	Matthew 4:1 Notes The Synoptic Gospel accounts of the temptation are found in Mark 1:13, Matthew 4:1 and Luke 4:1.
Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.	Matthew 4:2 Notes
Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.	Matthew 4:3 Notes
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.	Matthew 4:4 Notes Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 8:3
Matthew 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,	Matthew 4:5 Notes
Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.	Matthew 4:6 Notes Satan quotes Psalm 91:11-12.
Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.	Matthew 4:7 Notes Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:16
Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;	Matthew 4:8 Notes This verse has often been presented as proof of a Flat Earth by religious flat earthers, as it could not work on a spherical one, even one has to wonder how high should be such mountain to see all the kingdoms of the world. Of course with Satan at work, gods know what trippy shit may be going on. Massaraksh.
Matthew 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.	Matthew 4:9 Notes "The Third Temptation" by William Blake Satan's offer appears to only make sense in the context of a low Christology. I.e. the notion that Jesus lived his life more as a man than a divine being. This is perhaps why John completely excludes this story from his gospel. John has a high Christology, as evidenced from the claim in John 1:1 that Jesus existed before his appearance on Earth. From John's perspective it would be nonsensical for Satan to offer Christ that which he as God would either already possess or be perfectly capable of taking if he so wished. Although, this might just have been the Devil trying to tempt Jesus with a blueprint for how to fix the world that involved considerably less pain, rejection and time. ie. "Hey Junior, now that you are here in the flesh, instead of doing things the 'proper' and painful way that you, Big Daddy and the Spook wanted, just listen to me: take control of the world, then make everybody do what you want."
Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.	Matthew 4:10 Notes Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:13
Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.	Matthew 4:11 Notes
Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;	Matthew 4:12 Notes
Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:	Matthew 4:13 Notes
Matthew 4:14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,	Matthew 4:14 Notes Esaias is the Greek form of Isaiah. The prophecy here refers to Isaiah 9:1, with Matthew providing a somewhat abridged version.
Matthew 4:15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;	Matthew 4:15 Notes It is noteworthy that Matthew specifically mentions the gentiles. This lends support to the notion that the message of Christ was not just intended for the Jews.
Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.	Matthew 4:16 Notes Matthew quotes Isaiah 9:1-2.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.	Matthew 4:17 Notes
Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.	Matthew 4:18 Notes
Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.	Matthew 4:19 Notes
Matthew 4:20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.	Matthew 4:20 Notes
Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.	Matthew 4:21 Notes
Matthew 4:22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.	Matthew 4:22 Notes
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.	Matthew 4:23 Notes
Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.	Matthew 4:24 Notes
Matthew 4:25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.	Matthew 4:25 Notes

Matthew Chapter 5

Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:	Matthew 5:1 Notes This is known as the Sermon on the Mount. The opening of this speech contains eight blessings knows as The Beatitudes. The Beatitudes seem to strongly imply that people will be judged for how they lived rather than what they believed.
Matthew 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,	Matthew 5:2 Notes
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.	Matthew 5:3 Notes What if the poor in spirit don't believe in Jesus?
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.	Matthew 5:4 Notes
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.	Matthew 5:5 Notes
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.	Matthew 5:6 Notes
Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.	Matthew 5:7 Notes What if the merciful don't believe in Jesus?
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.	Matthew 5:8 Notes
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.	Matthew 5:9 Notes Yet somehow plenty of Christians have no problem supporting wars (especially if they aren't the ones doing the fighting).
Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.	Matthew 5:10 Notes This is one of the passages that encourages the persecution complex among Christians. The others are 2 Timothy 3:12 and Romans 12:14.
Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.	Matthew 5:11 Notes Matthew 5:11-12 is a source of the Christian persecution complex, and consequently of the argumentum ad martyrdom fallacy.
Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.	Matthew 5:12 Notes
Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.	Matthew 5:13 Notes Not exactly how salt works, but okay.
Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.	Matthew 5:14 Notes
Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.	Matthew 5:15 Notes
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.	Matthew 5:16 Notes
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.	Matthew 5:17 Notes Whenever a hypocritical "But that's the Old Testament!" whiner preacher gets a little too uppity, make sure to use this verse to remind him of the Lord's true word. And note that God also commanded that the Old Testament be followed (Deuteronomy 4:2). Most Christians believe that the law was fulfilled either when God-the-Son was incarnated in mortal flesh or when He accepted His role as Messiah (knowing the deprivation, suffering, and exile He would face) or when, as an innocent man, He willingly accepted being discommended by God in our place. It's kinda like having somebody else pay your parking ticket.
Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.	Matthew 5:18 Notes "Jot" means yod (י) or iota (ι), the smallest letters of the Hebrew and Greek alphabets, and "tittles" are believed to be nekudot, the dots that distinguish vowels in an annotated Hebrew text. This line is popular "gotcha!" against skeptics, with the claim being that it shows Jesus approved of everything in the Old Testament. However, it cannot possibly mean that (since in Matthew 5:38 Jesus refutes "eye for an eye," and ancient proofreaders weren't that stupid), and has an existing rationalisation among Christians. There are five types of law: the moral law, the ethical law, the ceremonial law, the scribal law, and the civil law. During the gospels, Jesus' actions and speeches contradict only the last three: Jesus contradicts ceremonial law in Matthew 15:1-20, criticises Jewish scribal law in Matthew 23:23, and strikes out the "eye for an eye" principle and later saves an adultress from her Mosaic Law-prescribed penalty of stoning in John 8:3-5 and John 8:10-11. Therefore, it is read as meaning that Jesus was only speaking of the moral and ethical laws. This line might work on someone who doesn't know their own religion very well, but it's not like centuries of Bible scholars just missed it. Another interpretation is the literal one: that there is one type of law and that Jesus is demanding that people follow all the laws laid out in the Old Testament. So, to all the Christians, Jews and Muslims out there, how are you going following all those pesky "little" laws laid out in, say, Leviticus and Deuteronomy? Or was your god really just kidding about those? However, see the note on the Christian view in Matthew 5:17
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.	Matthew 5:19 Notes
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.	Matthew 5:20 Notes
Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:	Matthew 5:21 Notes Jesus quotes and expounds Exodus 20:13
Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.	Matthew 5:22 Notes "Raca" is apparently an Aramaic word transliterated into Greek (the language the Gospels were written in).
Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;	Matthew 5:23 Notes
Matthew 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.	Matthew 5:24 Notes
Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.	Matthew 5:25 Notes
Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.	Matthew 5:26 Notes
Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:	Matthew 5:27 Notes Jesus quotes Exodus 20:14
Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.	Matthew 5:28 Notes Whelp, only asexuals are going to Heaven now. Or perhaps homosexual men and heterosexual women (wouldn't that make fundies' heads explode).
Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.	Matthew 5:29 Notes
Matthew 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.	Matthew 5:30 Notes
Matthew 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:	Matthew 5:31 Notes Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 24:1
Matthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.	Matthew 5:32 Notes
Matthew 5:33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:	Matthew 5:33 Notes Contradicts 2 Corinthians 1:23 and Galatians 1:20 where Paul of Tarsus swears oaths, and in Hebrews 6:17 God himself swears an oath.
Matthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:	Matthew 5:34 Notes Don't make promises or oaths. This is why Jehovah's Witnesses won't recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Matthew 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.	Matthew 5:35 Notes
Matthew 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.	Matthew 5:36 Notes
Matthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.	Matthew 5:37 Notes
Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:	Matthew 5:38 Notes Jesus quotes Exodus 21:14
Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.	Matthew 5:39 Notes "A local boy kicked me in the butt last week. I just smiled at him and turned the other cheek. I really don't care, in fact I wish him well."
Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.	Matthew 5:40 Notes Don't defend yourself in court.
Matthew 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.	Matthew 5:41 Notes
Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.	Matthew 5:42 Notes
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.	Matthew 5:43 Notes Jesus quotes Leviticus 19:18
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;	Matthew 5:44 Notes Which version of love is this? God's or human's? The Old Testament suggests the former.
Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.	Matthew 5:45 Notes
Matthew 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?	Matthew 5:46 Notes
Matthew 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?	Matthew 5:47 Notes
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.	Matthew 5:48 Notes Wait, so if God is perfect in that he's able to kill mass amounts of people, but we go to Hell for murder, then doesn't that mean it's impossible to be perfect?

Matthew Chapter 6

Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.	Matthew 6:1 Notes
Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.	Matthew 6:2 Notes
Matthew 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:	Matthew 6:3 Notes
Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.	Matthew 6:4 Notes
Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.	Matthew 6:5 Notes Many Christians do not seem to have gotten this memo because they are endlessly pushing for Christian-led classroom prayer in public schools. People really need to actually read their Bible.
Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.	Matthew 6:6 Notes Paul of Tarsus seems to have taken the command to "enter into thy closet" very, very deeply to heart in his epistles.
Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.	Matthew 6:7 Notes
Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.	Matthew 6:8 Notes
Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.	Matthew 6:9 Notes Apparently saying the same thing each time one prays does not count as "vain repetitions".
Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.	Matthew 6:10 Notes
Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.	Matthew 6:11 Notes Matthew copies from Proverbs 30:8
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.	Matthew 6:12 Notes Matthew copies from Ecclesiastes 28:2
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.	Matthew 6:13 Notes
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:	Matthew 6:14 Notes
Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.	Matthew 6:15 Notes
Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.	Matthew 6:16 Notes
Matthew 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;	Matthew 6:17 Notes
Matthew 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.	Matthew 6:18 Notes
Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:	Matthew 6:19 Notes Oh man, a lot of Christians have not gotten the message here.
Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:	Matthew 6:20 Notes Moths are not allowed to go to heaven, apparently.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.	Matthew 6:21 Notes
Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.	Matthew 6:22 Notes
Matthew 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!	Matthew 6:23 Notes
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.	Matthew 6:24 Notes
Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?	Matthew 6:25 Notes YOLO Also, this could be seen as supporting the abrogation of various Mosaic laws related to eating and clothing.
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?	Matthew 6:26 Notes
Matthew 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?	Matthew 6:27 Notes
Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:	Matthew 6:28 Notes
Matthew 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.	Matthew 6:29 Notes
Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?	Matthew 6:30 Notes
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?	Matthew 6:31 Notes
Matthew 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.	Matthew 6:32 Notes
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.	Matthew 6:33 Notes
Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.	Matthew 6:34 Notes

Matthew Chapter 7

Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.	Matthew 7:1 Notes Particularly stupid skeptics sometimes try to use this as a "gotcha!" that Christians are not allowed to judge anyone for any reason, but the next line makes it clear that it just means if you're a dick then God will be a dick to you when your times comes. This does not gel particularly well with Paul of Tarsus' later assertions that salvation is not through good works, but those following the doctrine of salvation through grace alone will argue that having good works is a function of being saved through grace. Why precisely this and other passages would note that you are judged in a manner that reflects your works is not clear, since grace alone usually goes for a binary saved / not saved distinction: this is probably what led to Dante's concept of Hell having various areas for people to be sub-judged into after the main judgment.
Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.	Matthew 7:2 Notes
Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?	Matthew 7:3 Notes
Matthew 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?	Matthew 7:4 Notes
Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.	Matthew 7:5 Notes
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.	Matthew 7:6 Notes
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:	Matthew 7:7 Notes
Matthew 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.	Matthew 7:8 Notes
Matthew 7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?	Matthew 7:9 Notes
Matthew 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?	Matthew 7:10 Notes
Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?	Matthew 7:11 Notes
Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.	Matthew 7:12 Notes
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:	Matthew 7:13 Notes
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.	Matthew 7:14 Notes
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.	Matthew 7:15 Notes This would be good advice if Biblical prophets had a better track record than their counterparts. Unfortunately, most Biblical prophecies also turned out to be duds, such as the prophecy from Ezekiel that claimed Nebuchadnezzar would destroy Tyre. (Or really any prophecy from Ezekiel for that matter.) The verse is considered the origin of the phrase "a wolf in sheep's clothing."
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?	Matthew 7:16 Notes
Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.	Matthew 7:17 Notes Marcion of Sinope saw in this verse a reinforcement of his beliefs, holding that the corrupt tree and the good tree represented the demiurge of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament, respectively.
Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.	Matthew 7:18 Notes
Matthew 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.	Matthew 7:19 Notes
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.	Matthew 7:20 Notes
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.	Matthew 7:21 Notes This verse appears to imply that not all Christians will enter heaven, which directly contradicts John 3:16, and an arsenal of Saint Paul's writing.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?	Matthew 7:22 Notes So on Judgement Day, some Christian exorcists, prophets, and others will be denied entry into heaven. Saint Paul and the authors of some of the other Gospels don't seem to know that.
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.	Matthew 7:23 Notes Of course, what version of Christianity is the right one is not specified here.
Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:	Matthew 7:24 Notes
Matthew 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.	Matthew 7:25 Notes
Matthew 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:	Matthew 7:26 Notes
Matthew 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.	Matthew 7:27 Notes
Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:	Matthew 7:28 Notes
Matthew 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.	Matthew 7:29 Notes

Matthew Chapter 8

Matthew 8:1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.	Matthew 8:1 Notes
Matthew 8:2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.	Matthew 8:2 Notes
Matthew 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.	Matthew 8:3 Notes
Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.	Matthew 8:4 Notes
Matthew 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,	Matthew 8:5 Notes
Matthew 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.	Matthew 8:6 Notes
Matthew 8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.	Matthew 8:7 Notes
Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.	Matthew 8:8 Notes
Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.	Matthew 8:9 Notes
Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.	Matthew 8:10 Notes
Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.	Matthew 8:11 Notes
Matthew 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.	Matthew 8:12 Notes
Matthew 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.	Matthew 8:13 Notes
Matthew 8:14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.	Matthew 8:14 Notes
Matthew 8:15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.	Matthew 8:15 Notes
Matthew 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:	Matthew 8:16 Notes This passage describes Jesus conducting an exorcism.
Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.	Matthew 8:17 Notes Matthew 8:17 incorrectly quotes Isaiah 53:4, a verse contained within the Fourth Servant Song, which some interpret as referring to Jesus. The prophecy here does not match the immediately adjacent healing stories. Jesus Does heal people by just telling people their faith is enough to heal. He does seem to lift sickness, infirmities, demon possession. He also seems to be able to merely healing through osmosis. However older Biblical traditions of both sin and the sickness thereof these sins/diseases would be transferred onto some livestock (from whence the term "scapegoat" comes) and this animal would be driven out in the desert to die. This scapegoating and animal sacrifice feature prominently in the Old Testament and the idea is that instead of these, there would be a "Lamb of God" who would take on everyone's sins and be sacrificed. However, nowhere in Matthew is Jesus ever represented as taking on sickness on behalf of other people either as a part of these healing spells or on the cross itself.
Matthew 8:18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.	Matthew 8:18 Notes
Matthew 8:19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.	Matthew 8:19 Notes It's an accurate account because it says there were people there writing everything down.
Matthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.	Matthew 8:20 Notes
Matthew 8:21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.	Matthew 8:21 Notes
Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.	Matthew 8:22 Notes Kind-hearted fellow.
Matthew 8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.	Matthew 8:23 Notes
Matthew 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.	Matthew 8:24 Notes
Matthew 8:25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.	Matthew 8:25 Notes
Matthew 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.	Matthew 8:26 Notes
Matthew 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!	Matthew 8:27 Notes
Matthew 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.	Matthew 8:28 Notes A 6th century CE mosaic depicting the Exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac Matthew 8:28-34 describes the Exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac, which is also described in Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39. The location of the exorcism appears in the KJV here as 'Gergesenes', and has been translated variously (Gerasa, Gadara, or Gergesa), with it's actual location unknown.
Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?	Matthew 8:29 Notes
Matthew 8:30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.	Matthew 8:30 Notes
Matthew 8:31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.	Matthew 8:31 Notes
Matthew 8:32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.	Matthew 8:32 Notes Thanks, Jesus!
Matthew 8:33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.	Matthew 8:33 Notes
Matthew 8:34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.	Matthew 8:34 Notes "Yes, thanks, after that whole swine thing we'd just like you gone."

Matthew Chapter 9

Matthew 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.	Matthew 9:1 Notes
Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.	Matthew 9:2 Notes
Matthew 9:3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.	Matthew 9:3 Notes
Matthew 9:4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?	Matthew 9:4 Notes
Matthew 9:5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?	Matthew 9:5 Notes
Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.	Matthew 9:6 Notes
Matthew 9:7 And he arose, and departed to his house.	Matthew 9:7 Notes
Matthew 9:8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.	Matthew 9:8 Notes
Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.	Matthew 9:9 Notes Carvaggio's The Calling of Saint Matthew
Matthew 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.	Matthew 9:10 Notes
Matthew 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?	Matthew 9:11 Notes
Matthew 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.	Matthew 9:12 Notes
Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.	Matthew 9:13 Notes Matthew copies from Hosea 6:6
Matthew 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?	Matthew 9:14 Notes
Matthew 9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.	Matthew 9:15 Notes
Matthew 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.	Matthew 9:16 Notes Actually, people do.
Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.	Matthew 9:17 Notes They sometimes do this, too.
Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.	Matthew 9:18 Notes
Matthew 9:19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.	Matthew 9:19 Notes
Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:	Matthew 9:20 Notes
Matthew 9:21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.	Matthew 9:21 Notes Oh look, an omniscient narrator.
Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.	Matthew 9:22 Notes
Matthew 9:23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,	Matthew 9:23 Notes
Matthew 9:24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.	Matthew 9:24 Notes
Matthew 9:25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.	Matthew 9:25 Notes
Matthew 9:26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.	Matthew 9:26 Notes
Matthew 9:27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.	Matthew 9:27 Notes
Matthew 9:28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.	Matthew 9:28 Notes
Matthew 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.	Matthew 9:29 Notes
Matthew 9:30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.	Matthew 9:30 Notes
Matthew 9:31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.	Matthew 9:31 Notes
Matthew 9:32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.	Matthew 9:32 Notes
Matthew 9:33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.	Matthew 9:33 Notes
Matthew 9:34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.	Matthew 9:34 Notes
Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.	Matthew 9:35 Notes
Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.	Matthew 9:36 Notes
Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;	Matthew 9:37 Notes
Matthew 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.	Matthew 9:38 Notes

Matthew Chapter 10

Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.	Matthew 10:1 Notes
Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;	Matthew 10:2 Notes
Matthew 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;	Matthew 10:3 Notes
Matthew 10:4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.	Matthew 10:4 Notes Whoops! Spoilers.
Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:	Matthew 10:5 Notes
Matthew 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.	Matthew 10:6 Notes
Matthew 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.	Matthew 10:7 Notes
Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.	Matthew 10:8 Notes
Matthew 10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,	Matthew 10:9 Notes
Matthew 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.	Matthew 10:10 Notes
Matthew 10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.	Matthew 10:11 Notes
Matthew 10:12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.	Matthew 10:12 Notes
Matthew 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.	Matthew 10:13 Notes It's a little like a boomerang.
Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.	Matthew 10:14 Notes
Matthew 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.	Matthew 10:15 Notes
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.	Matthew 10:16 Notes
Matthew 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;	Matthew 10:17 Notes
Matthew 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.	Matthew 10:18 Notes
Matthew 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.	Matthew 10:19 Notes
Matthew 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.	Matthew 10:20 Notes
Matthew 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.	Matthew 10:21 Notes
Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.	Matthew 10:22 Notes
Matthew 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.	Matthew 10:23 Notes
Matthew 10:24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.	Matthew 10:24 Notes
Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?	Matthew 10:25 Notes
Matthew 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.	Matthew 10:26 Notes
Matthew 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.	Matthew 10:27 Notes
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.	Matthew 10:28 Notes
Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.	Matthew 10:29 Notes
Matthew 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.	Matthew 10:30 Notes
Matthew 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.	Matthew 10:31 Notes
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.	Matthew 10:32 Notes
Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.	Matthew 10:33 Notes
Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.	Matthew 10:34 Notes
Matthew 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.	Matthew 10:35 Notes Matthew copies from Micah 7:6
Matthew 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.	Matthew 10:36 Notes Matthew copies from Micah 7:6
Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.	Matthew 10:37 Notes
Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.	Matthew 10:38 Notes
Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.	Matthew 10:39 Notes
Matthew 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.	Matthew 10:40 Notes
Matthew 10:41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.	Matthew 10:41 Notes
Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.	Matthew 10:42 Notes

Matthew Chapter 11

Matthew 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.	Matthew 11:1 Notes
Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,	Matthew 11:2 Notes
Matthew 11:3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?	Matthew 11:3 Notes
Matthew 11:4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:	Matthew 11:4 Notes
Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.	Matthew 11:5 Notes
Matthew 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.	Matthew 11:6 Notes
Matthew 11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?	Matthew 11:7 Notes
Matthew 11:8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.	Matthew 11:8 Notes
Matthew 11:9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.	Matthew 11:9 Notes
Matthew 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.	Matthew 11:10 Notes Matthew copies from Malachi 3:1
Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.	Matthew 11:11 Notes
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.	Matthew 11:12 Notes
Matthew 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.	Matthew 11:13 Notes
Matthew 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.	Matthew 11:14 Notes
Matthew 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.	Matthew 11:15 Notes
Matthew 11:16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,	Matthew 11:16 Notes
Matthew 11:17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.	Matthew 11:17 Notes
Matthew 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.	Matthew 11:18 Notes
Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.	Matthew 11:19 Notes
Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:	Matthew 11:20 Notes
Matthew 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.	Matthew 11:21 Notes
Matthew 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.	Matthew 11:22 Notes
Matthew 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.	Matthew 11:23 Notes
Matthew 11:24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.	Matthew 11:24 Notes
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.	Matthew 11:25 Notes
Matthew 11:26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.	Matthew 11:26 Notes
Matthew 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.	Matthew 11:27 Notes
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.	Matthew 11:28 Notes
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.	Matthew 11:29 Notes
Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.	Matthew 11:30 Notes

Matthew Chapter 12

Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.	Matthew 12:1 Notes
Matthew 12:2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.	Matthew 12:2 Notes
Matthew 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;	Matthew 12:3 Notes
Matthew 12:4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?	Matthew 12:4 Notes
Matthew 12:5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?	Matthew 12:5 Notes
Matthew 12:6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.	Matthew 12:6 Notes
Matthew 12:7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.	Matthew 12:7 Notes Matthew copies from Hosea 6:6
Matthew 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.	Matthew 12:8 Notes
Matthew 12:9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:	Matthew 12:9 Notes
Matthew 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.	Matthew 12:10 Notes
Matthew 12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?	Matthew 12:11 Notes
Matthew 12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.	Matthew 12:12 Notes
Matthew 12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.	Matthew 12:13 Notes
Matthew 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.	Matthew 12:14 Notes
Matthew 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;	Matthew 12:15 Notes
Matthew 12:16 And charged them that they should not make him known:	Matthew 12:16 Notes
Matthew 12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,	Matthew 12:17 Notes
Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.	Matthew 12:18 Notes Matthew copies from Isaiah 42:1
Matthew 12:19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.	Matthew 12:19 Notes
Matthew 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.	Matthew 12:20 Notes
Matthew 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.	Matthew 12:21 Notes Matthew copies from Isaiah 42:1,4
Matthew 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.	Matthew 12:22 Notes
Matthew 12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?	Matthew 12:23 Notes
Matthew 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.	Matthew 12:24 Notes
Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:	Matthew 12:25 Notes
Matthew 12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?	Matthew 12:26 Notes
Matthew 12:27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.	Matthew 12:27 Notes
Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.	Matthew 12:28 Notes
Matthew 12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.	Matthew 12:29 Notes
Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.	Matthew 12:30 Notes Well, will you look at that; the Bible agrees with Dubya. Shame that it doesn't agree with basic logic.
Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.	Matthew 12:31 Notes As happens with Mark 3:29, this verse (and the one that follows) is an awkward one to bring up with the "I accept Jesus" instant-salvation evangelists, since it suggests that some sins cannot be forgiven.
Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.	Matthew 12:32 Notes
Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.	Matthew 12:33 Notes
Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.	Matthew 12:34 Notes
Matthew 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.	Matthew 12:35 Notes
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.	Matthew 12:36 Notes
Matthew 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.	Matthew 12:37 Notes
Matthew 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.	Matthew 12:38 Notes
Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:	Matthew 12:39 Notes
Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.	Matthew 12:40 Notes
Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.	Matthew 12:41 Notes
Matthew 12:42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.	Matthew 12:42 Notes
Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.	Matthew 12:43 Notes
Matthew 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.	Matthew 12:44 Notes
Matthew 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.	Matthew 12:45 Notes
Matthew 12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.	Matthew 12:46 Notes
Matthew 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.	Matthew 12:47 Notes
Matthew 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?	Matthew 12:48 Notes
Matthew 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!	Matthew 12:49 Notes
Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.	Matthew 12:50 Notes

Matthew Chapter 13

Matthew 13:1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.	Matthew 13:1 Notes
Matthew 13:2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.	Matthew 13:2 Notes
Matthew 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;	Matthew 13:3 Notes Here Jesus could've actually explained the mechanics of Salvation but instead tortures an analogy for a long time, then has to explain his analogy. He could've just talked about the thing directly. Later in the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares he recapitulates this parable with an almost identical parable, which he has to explain again. Keep in mind that this Gospel was composed in a time where writing materials like papyrus or vellum were the modern day equivalent of about ten dollars and here the author Matthew is composing extremely verbose tripe like he's being paid by the word.
Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:	Matthew 13:4 Notes
Matthew 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:	Matthew 13:5 Notes
Matthew 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.	Matthew 13:6 Notes
Matthew 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:	Matthew 13:7 Notes
Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.	Matthew 13:8 Notes
Matthew 13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.	Matthew 13:9 Notes
Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?	Matthew 13:10 Notes
Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.	Matthew 13:11 Notes
Matthew 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.	Matthew 13:12 Notes
Matthew 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.	Matthew 13:13 Notes
Matthew 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:	Matthew 13:14 Notes Matthew copies from Isaiah 6:9
Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.	Matthew 13:15 Notes Matthew copies from Isaiah 6:10
Matthew 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.	Matthew 13:16 Notes
Matthew 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.	Matthew 13:17 Notes
Matthew 13:18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.	Matthew 13:18 Notes
Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.	Matthew 13:19 Notes
Matthew 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;	Matthew 13:20 Notes
Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.	Matthew 13:21 Notes
Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.	Matthew 13:22 Notes
Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.	Matthew 13:23 Notes
Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:	Matthew 13:24 Notes
Matthew 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.	Matthew 13:25 Notes
Matthew 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.	Matthew 13:26 Notes
Matthew 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?	Matthew 13:27 Notes
Matthew 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?	Matthew 13:28 Notes
Matthew 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.	Matthew 13:29 Notes
Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.	Matthew 13:30 Notes
Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:	Matthew 13:31 Notes
Matthew 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.	Matthew 13:32 Notes This is one of the Biblical scientific errors (The smallest seed). This verse got the NIV in some hot water: the clearly incorrect claim that the mustard seed was "the smallest of all seeds" was changed to "the smallest of all your seeds," without any actual case for making this change based on the original texts. This caused sufficiently heavy criticism that it was removed in the 2011 revision.
Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.	Matthew 13:33 Notes
Matthew 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:	Matthew 13:34 Notes Here begins a large section of Matthew where the same thing happens over and over. In these parables Jesus is asked a specific question about either civil or religious law, or about the metaphysics of reality and instead of answering he tells a parable with a moral lesson unrelated to the question prompt. It's extremely repetitive. The entirety could be summed up as "if you're good you go to The Good Place, If you're bad you go to The Bad Place"
Matthew 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.	Matthew 13:35 Notes Matthew copies from Psalm 78:2
Matthew 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.	Matthew 13:36 Notes So after Jesus tells what is a pretty transparent and obvious parable, he feels the need to tell one of his longest again, only longer this time, being more explicit about the symbolism. All of these parables have the same central moral, yet Jesus feels the need to explain the same moral expressed in the Parable of the Sower, with yet another agriculture analogy
Matthew 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;	Matthew 13:37 Notes
Matthew 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;	Matthew 13:38 Notes
Matthew 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.	Matthew 13:39 Notes
Matthew 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.	Matthew 13:40 Notes
Matthew 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;	Matthew 13:41 Notes
Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.	Matthew 13:42 Notes
Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.	Matthew 13:43 Notes
Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.	Matthew 13:44 Notes
Matthew 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:	Matthew 13:45 Notes
Matthew 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.	Matthew 13:46 Notes
Matthew 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:	Matthew 13:47 Notes
Matthew 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.	Matthew 13:48 Notes This view of Good Place/Bad Place is unprecedented at this point in the Bible. Biblical Scholars attribute this to borrowing theology from Zoroastrianism.
Matthew 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,	Matthew 13:49 Notes
Matthew 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.	Matthew 13:50 Notes
Matthew 13:51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.	Matthew 13:51 Notes
Matthew 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.	Matthew 13:52 Notes
Matthew 13:53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.	Matthew 13:53 Notes
Matthew 13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?	Matthew 13:54 Notes
Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?	Matthew 13:55 Notes
Matthew 13:56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?	Matthew 13:56 Notes
Matthew 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.	Matthew 13:57 Notes
Matthew 13:58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.	Matthew 13:58 Notes

Matthew Chapter 14

Matthew 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,	Matthew 14:1 Notes
Matthew 14:2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.	Matthew 14:2 Notes
Matthew 14:3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.	Matthew 14:3 Notes
Matthew 14:4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.	Matthew 14:4 Notes
Matthew 14:5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.	Matthew 14:5 Notes
Matthew 14:6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.	Matthew 14:6 Notes
Matthew 14:7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.	Matthew 14:7 Notes
Matthew 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.	Matthew 14:8 Notes
Matthew 14:9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.	Matthew 14:9 Notes
Matthew 14:10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.	Matthew 14:10 Notes Caravaggio's Beheading of John the Baptist
Matthew 14:11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.	Matthew 14:11 Notes
Matthew 14:12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.	Matthew 14:12 Notes
Matthew 14:13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.	Matthew 14:13 Notes Healing decapitation was either beyond his abilities, or part of the ineffable plan. Either way, Jesus gets out of Dodge.
Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.	Matthew 14:14 Notes
Matthew 14:15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.	Matthew 14:15 Notes
Matthew 14:16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.	Matthew 14:16 Notes
Matthew 14:17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.	Matthew 14:17 Notes
Matthew 14:18 He said, Bring them hither to me.	Matthew 14:18 Notes
Matthew 14:19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.	Matthew 14:19 Notes
Matthew 14:20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.	Matthew 14:20 Notes
Matthew 14:21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.	Matthew 14:21 Notes
Matthew 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.	Matthew 14:22 Notes
Matthew 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.	Matthew 14:23 Notes
Matthew 14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.	Matthew 14:24 Notes
Matthew 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.	Matthew 14:25 Notes
Matthew 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.	Matthew 14:26 Notes
Matthew 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.	Matthew 14:27 Notes
Matthew 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.	Matthew 14:28 Notes
Matthew 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.	Matthew 14:29 Notes
Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.	Matthew 14:30 Notes
Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?	Matthew 14:31 Notes
Matthew 14:32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.	Matthew 14:32 Notes
Matthew 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.	Matthew 14:33 Notes
Matthew 14:34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.	Matthew 14:34 Notes
Matthew 14:35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;	Matthew 14:35 Notes
Matthew 14:36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.	Matthew 14:36 Notes

Matthew Chapter 15

Matthew 15:1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,	Matthew 15:1 Notes
Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.	Matthew 15:2 Notes Apparently Jesus and his disciples are anti-hand-washing, thus boys and girls can explain to their Christian parents that telling them to go wash their hands is not very Christian-like and they would be right. I am not sure why this passage isn't taught more in Sunday school. This passage was cited by Andrew Schlafly for his opposition to handwashing by the general public (germ theory denialism). Schlafly put it on the Conservapedia page for Biblical scientific foreknowledge.
Matthew 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?	Matthew 15:3 Notes Jesus then rambles on for a bit by pointing out lots of worse things than not washing hands, but fails to address the question raised. Just because there are worse things around, doesn't mean that they didn't have a good point when asking about the whole not washing of hands business.
Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.	Matthew 15:4 Notes Matthew copies from Exodus 20:12 and Exodus 21:17
Matthew 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;	Matthew 15:5 Notes
Matthew 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.	Matthew 15:6 Notes
Matthew 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,	Matthew 15:7 Notes
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.	Matthew 15:8 Notes
Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.	Matthew 15:9 Notes Matthew copies from Isaiah 29:13
Matthew 15:10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:	Matthew 15:10 Notes Matthew copies from Isaiah 29:13
Matthew 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.	Matthew 15:11 Notes
Matthew 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?	Matthew 15:12 Notes
Matthew 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.	Matthew 15:13 Notes
Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.	Matthew 15:14 Notes "The Parable of the Blind Leading the Blind" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1568)
Matthew 15:15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.	Matthew 15:15 Notes
Matthew 15:16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?	Matthew 15:16 Notes
Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?	Matthew 15:17 Notes
Matthew 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.	Matthew 15:18 Notes
Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:	Matthew 15:19 Notes
Matthew 15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.	Matthew 15:20 Notes
Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.	Matthew 15:21 Notes
Matthew 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.	Matthew 15:22 Notes Let's see how the Son of God treats the gentiles, shall we?
Matthew 15:23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.	Matthew 15:23 Notes Somebody said something?
Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.	Matthew 15:24 Notes Is Jesus saying here that he's not the universal God that modern Christians believe he is? Is he saying that he's in fact only there for the Israelites?
Matthew 15:25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.	Matthew 15:25 Notes The Canaanite woman accepts Jesus as her lord and savior.
Matthew 15:26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.	Matthew 15:26 Notes This, together with the passages ago suggest that Jesus is comparing gentiles (or at least Canaanites) with dogs. If this interpretation is correct, the passage is disturbingly racist for modern readers.
Matthew 15:27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.	Matthew 15:27 Notes Maybe she's desperate to save her child, maybe it's just Internalized discrimination, but even the Canaanite woman is comparing herself with a dog now. Is this kind of humiliation really necessary?
Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.	Matthew 15:28 Notes Ok, fine.
Matthew 15:29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.	Matthew 15:29 Notes Let's get out of here...
Matthew 15:30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:	Matthew 15:30 Notes
Matthew 15:31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.	Matthew 15:31 Notes
Matthew 15:32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.	Matthew 15:32 Notes
Matthew 15:33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?	Matthew 15:33 Notes
Matthew 15:34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.	Matthew 15:34 Notes The Jesus Magic Lunch Powers are likely another allusion to Moses feeding the many with Manna from Heaven.
Matthew 15:35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.	Matthew 15:35 Notes
Matthew 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.	Matthew 15:36 Notes
Matthew 15:37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.	Matthew 15:37 Notes
Matthew 15:38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.	Matthew 15:38 Notes
Matthew 15:39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.	Matthew 15:39 Notes

Matthew Chapter 16

Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.	Matthew 16:1 Notes
Matthew 16:2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.	Matthew 16:2 Notes
Matthew 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?	Matthew 16:3 Notes
Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.	Matthew 16:4 Notes
Matthew 16:5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.	Matthew 16:5 Notes
Matthew 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.	Matthew 16:6 Notes
Matthew 16:7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.	Matthew 16:7 Notes
Matthew 16:8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?	Matthew 16:8 Notes
Matthew 16:9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?	Matthew 16:9 Notes
Matthew 16:10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?	Matthew 16:10 Notes
Matthew 16:11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?	Matthew 16:11 Notes
Matthew 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.	Matthew 16:12 Notes
Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?	Matthew 16:13 Notes
Matthew 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.	Matthew 16:14 Notes
Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?	Matthew 16:15 Notes
Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.	Matthew 16:16 Notes
Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.	Matthew 16:17 Notes Barjona, as in "son of Jonah"
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.	Matthew 16:18 Notes Peter: "What the fuck is a church, Jesus?" Since churches didn't exist at that point, that's how we imagine that exchange went. This verse and the following one are the main scriptural basis given to support the institution of the Papacy. In the original Greek there's a pun here. The Greek equivalent of the name "Peter" is "Petros". The Greek word translated here as "rock" is "petra" (from where we get English words such as "petrified"). The pro-Papacy reading asserts that Jesus here is saying Peter will be the foundation of the new church. Roman Catholic tradition thus holds that Peter was the first Pope, and that the office has been directly passed down in an unbroken line from him. This involves the concept known as "apostolic succession". Protestants tend to address this by pointing out that five verses later Jesus calls Peter "Satan" (Matthew 16:23).
Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.	Matthew 16:19 Notes Similarly, Roman Catholics hold that this means Peter and his successors were appointed by God as his direct representatives on Earth. One of the Pope's titles is "Vicar of Jesus Christ". Deriving from this verse, the Keys of Heaven are symbols of the Papacy.
Matthew 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.	Matthew 16:20 Notes
Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.	Matthew 16:21 Notes
Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.	Matthew 16:22 Notes
Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.	Matthew 16:23 Notes
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.	Matthew 16:24 Notes
Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.	Matthew 16:25 Notes Hmm, the anti-suicide innuendos seem to have been added later on as a precaution against this verse...
Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?	Matthew 16:26 Notes
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.	Matthew 16:27 Notes
Matthew 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.	Matthew 16:28 Notes Two thousand-ish years later, we're still waiting. There's a fair bit of apologetics devoted to explaining away the plain meaning of this verse (see Second Coming).

Matthew Chapter 17

Matthew 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,	Matthew 17:1 Notes
Matthew 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.	Matthew 17:2 Notes
Matthew 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.	Matthew 17:3 Notes
Matthew 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.	Matthew 17:4 Notes
Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.	Matthew 17:5 Notes
Matthew 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.	Matthew 17:6 Notes
Matthew 17:7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.	Matthew 17:7 Notes
Matthew 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.	Matthew 17:8 Notes
Matthew 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.	Matthew 17:9 Notes
Matthew 17:10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?	Matthew 17:10 Notes This appears to be from a missing book somewhere.
Matthew 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.	Matthew 17:11 Notes
Matthew 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.	Matthew 17:12 Notes
Matthew 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.	Matthew 17:13 Notes
Matthew 17:14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,	Matthew 17:14 Notes
Matthew 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.	Matthew 17:15 Notes
Matthew 17:16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.	Matthew 17:16 Notes
Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.	Matthew 17:17 Notes
Matthew 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.	Matthew 17:18 Notes
Matthew 17:19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?	Matthew 17:19 Notes
Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.	Matthew 17:20 Notes
Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.	Matthew 17:21 Notes
Matthew 17:22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:	Matthew 17:22 Notes
Matthew 17:23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.	Matthew 17:23 Notes
Matthew 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?	Matthew 17:24 Notes
Matthew 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?	Matthew 17:25 Notes
Matthew 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.	Matthew 17:26 Notes
Matthew 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.	Matthew 17:27 Notes This is one of Jesus's lesser known miracles — The miracle of paying the taxman by catching the golden goose golden fish. As the popular proverb says, give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to catch golden fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

Matthew Chapter 18

Matthew 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?	Matthew 18:1 Notes
Matthew 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,	Matthew 18:2 Notes
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.	Matthew 18:3 Notes
Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.	Matthew 18:4 Notes
Matthew 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.	Matthew 18:5 Notes
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.	Matthew 18:6 Notes A not-at-all ambiguous declaration of what should happen to those who abuse children.
Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!	Matthew 18:7 Notes
Matthew 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.	Matthew 18:8 Notes Jesus appears to suggest self-harm, as in Mark 9:43-48 (which see).
Matthew 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.	Matthew 18:9 Notes If you want to be able to keep both your eyes, you'd better avoid looking at anything disgusting ever again. More generally, though, this verse and the one before it appear to be saying that you should mutilate any body part that tempts you into sin in some way. Take notes for the next time you get horny…
Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.	Matthew 18:10 Notes
Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.	Matthew 18:11 Notes
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?	Matthew 18:12 Notes
Matthew 18:13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.	Matthew 18:13 Notes
Matthew 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.	Matthew 18:14 Notes
Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.	Matthew 18:15 Notes
Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.	Matthew 18:16 Notes Matthew copies from Deuteronomy 19:15
Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.	Matthew 18:17 Notes
Matthew 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.	Matthew 18:18 Notes
Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.	Matthew 18:19 Notes
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.	Matthew 18:20 Notes
Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?	Matthew 18:21 Notes
Matthew 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.	Matthew 18:22 Notes
Matthew 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.	Matthew 18:23 Notes
Matthew 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.	Matthew 18:24 Notes This man has lent his slave one and a half times the net worth of Crassus. The author of this parable either had no sense of amounts beyond their own means, or has constructed a narrative around a sum of what amounts to "a zillion dollars."
Matthew 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.	Matthew 18:25 Notes
Matthew 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.	Matthew 18:26 Notes
Matthew 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.	Matthew 18:27 Notes
Matthew 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.	Matthew 18:28 Notes
Matthew 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.	Matthew 18:29 Notes
Matthew 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.	Matthew 18:30 Notes
Matthew 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.	Matthew 18:31 Notes
Matthew 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:	Matthew 18:32 Notes
Matthew 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?	Matthew 18:33 Notes
Matthew 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.	Matthew 18:34 Notes
Matthew 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.	Matthew 18:35 Notes

Matthew Chapter 19

Matthew 19:1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;	Matthew 19:1 Notes
Matthew 19:2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.	Matthew 19:2 Notes
Matthew 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?	Matthew 19:3 Notes
Matthew 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,	Matthew 19:4 Notes Matthew copies from Genesis 1:27
Matthew 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?	Matthew 19:5 Notes Matthew copies from Genesis 2:24
Matthew 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.	Matthew 19:6 Notes
Matthew 19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?	Matthew 19:7 Notes
Matthew 19:8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.	Matthew 19:8 Notes
Matthew 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.	Matthew 19:9 Notes It's not adultery if your wife already did it.
Matthew 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.	Matthew 19:10 Notes
Matthew 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.	Matthew 19:11 Notes
Matthew 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.	Matthew 19:12 Notes This appears to be an endorsement of celibacy, although 3rd-century church father Origen Adamantius allegedly took it literally, and castrated himself.
Matthew 19:13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.	Matthew 19:13 Notes
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.	Matthew 19:14 Notes "Suffer" means to allow or tolerate the presence of, not to sexually abuse.
Matthew 19:15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.	Matthew 19:15 Notes
Matthew 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?	Matthew 19:16 Notes
Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.	Matthew 19:17 Notes
Matthew 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,	Matthew 19:18 Notes Matthew copies from Exodus 20:16
Matthew 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.	Matthew 19:19 Notes Matthew copies from Exodus 20:12 and Leviticus 19:18. Note there are only six commandments here.
Matthew 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?	Matthew 19:20 Notes
Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.	Matthew 19:21 Notes
Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.	Matthew 19:22 Notes
Matthew 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.	Matthew 19:23 Notes Boy, has this message ever not gotten through? The anti-Matthew 19:23 camp started having revival meetings in the 20th century and are still at it. The prophets profits are too great to stop.
Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.	Matthew 19:24 Notes Republicans take note.
Matthew 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?	Matthew 19:25 Notes
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.	Matthew 19:26 Notes
Matthew 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?	Matthew 19:27 Notes
Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.	Matthew 19:28 Notes According to the theologian Robert Charles, this passage was influenced by 1 Enoch 62:5 and 108:12. 62:5 — And one portion of them shall look on the other, And they shall be terrified, And they shall be downcast of countenance, And pain shall seize them, When they see that Son of Man Sitting on the throne of his glory. 108:12 — And I will bring forth in shining light those who have loved My holy name, and I will seat each on the throne of his honour.
Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.	Matthew 19:29 Notes According to the theologian Robert Charles, this passage was influenced by 1 Enoch 40:9: …and the fourth, who is set over the repentance unto hope of those who inherit eternal life–
Matthew 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.	Matthew 19:30 Notes This doesn't stop large numbers of sportspeople thanking God or Jesus after their victories.

Matthew Chapter 20

Matthew 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.	Matthew 20:1 Notes
Matthew 20:2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.	Matthew 20:2 Notes
Matthew 20:3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,	Matthew 20:3 Notes
Matthew 20:4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.	Matthew 20:4 Notes
Matthew 20:5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.	Matthew 20:5 Notes
Matthew 20:6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?	Matthew 20:6 Notes
Matthew 20:7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.	Matthew 20:7 Notes
Matthew 20:8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.	Matthew 20:8 Notes
Matthew 20:9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.	Matthew 20:9 Notes
Matthew 20:10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.	Matthew 20:10 Notes
Matthew 20:11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,	Matthew 20:11 Notes
Matthew 20:12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.	Matthew 20:12 Notes
Matthew 20:13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?	Matthew 20:13 Notes
Matthew 20:14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.	Matthew 20:14 Notes
Matthew 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?	Matthew 20:15 Notes
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.	Matthew 20:16 Notes
Matthew 20:17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,	Matthew 20:17 Notes
Matthew 20:18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,	Matthew 20:18 Notes
Matthew 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.	Matthew 20:19 Notes
Matthew 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.	Matthew 20:20 Notes
Matthew 20:21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.	Matthew 20:21 Notes
Matthew 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.	Matthew 20:22 Notes
Matthew 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.	Matthew 20:23 Notes
Matthew 20:24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.	Matthew 20:24 Notes
Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.	Matthew 20:25 Notes
Matthew 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;	Matthew 20:26 Notes
Matthew 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:	Matthew 20:27 Notes
Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.	Matthew 20:28 Notes
Matthew 20:29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.	Matthew 20:29 Notes
Matthew 20:30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.	Matthew 20:30 Notes
Matthew 20:31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.	Matthew 20:31 Notes
Matthew 20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?	Matthew 20:32 Notes
Matthew 20:33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.	Matthew 20:33 Notes
Matthew 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.	Matthew 20:34 Notes

Matthew Chapter 21

Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,	Matthew 21:1 Notes
Matthew 21:2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.	Matthew 21:2 Notes
Matthew 21:3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.	Matthew 21:3 Notes
Matthew 21:4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,	Matthew 21:4 Notes This reference to a prophet refers to Zechariah 9:9. The prophecy of Zechariah clearly does not match Matthew's account. Zechariah, as part of the Old Testament, is based firmly in Jewish messianic tradition (no, not that kind) — which posits a messiah very different to the Jesus described in the gospels. Zechariah described the arrival of a king who would rule "from sea to sea", bring an end to war, and certainly not an ostensibly placid figure who would ultimately die in order to provide the Christian concept of a suffering messiah. This is a recurring problem when New Testament writers and modern apologists attempt to link Jesus to Old Testament messianic prophecy.
Matthew 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.	Matthew 21:5 Notes Matthew describes a very odd situation in which Jesus appears to be straddling two beasts, when in fact this is due to his misunderstanding of a literary technique employed by Zechariah and Mark. The earlier authors employed a system of repetition in which a single event or element of a story would be described twice, but Matthew interpreted this as describing two distinct beasts. A more contemporary example of this technique is illustrated in the opening lines of A Tale of Two Cities. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… —A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Most readers, given the context, would realise that the preceding quote is not referring to two distinct times.
Matthew 21:6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,	Matthew 21:6 Notes
Matthew 21:7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.	Matthew 21:7 Notes
Matthew 21:8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.	Matthew 21:8 Notes
Matthew 21:9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.	Matthew 21:9 Notes Matthew copies from Psalm 118:26
Matthew 21:10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?	Matthew 21:10 Notes
Matthew 21:11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.	Matthew 21:11 Notes
Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,	Matthew 21:12 Notes Giotto di Bondone's "Expulsion of the Money-changers" The description of Jesus dealing with the money changers carries with it two serious problems. Anyone who had caused a serious disruption in the temple would likely have been arrested on the spot. It seems highly unlikely that Jesus could have disrupted the normal running of the temple and wandered off to continue preaching. An alternate interpretation is that Jesus was a kung-fu master who dispatched everyone in the temple as they came at him one at a time, including all guards. Archaeologists have in fact recovered a sign that was present at the time of the destruction of the Temple, which lists rules of conduct that Jesus clearly violated. Jews were required to offer sacrifices, and many would have traveled some distance in order to satisfy this obligation. Since there were obvious difficulties in bringing beasts for sacrifice, those traveling long distances would have on arrival purchased beasts for the ceremony. Many would travel from locations in which Roman currency was the norm, but such coins could not be accepted in the temple. Also, the temple complex was large, and certainly not a single building in which priests and moneychangers sat side by side. To understand this better it is worth considering the modern-day Vatican. Although it would be inappropriate to set up a gift shop beside the altar in St. Peter's Basilica, it would be acceptable to have such a shop elsewhere in the complex. Helpfully, the Vatican does have it's own ATM machine (in Latin), Bible parable be damned.
Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.	Matthew 21:13 Notes Matthew copies from Jeremiah 7:11
Matthew 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.	Matthew 21:14 Notes
Matthew 21:15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,	Matthew 21:15 Notes
Matthew 21:16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?	Matthew 21:16 Notes Matthew copies from Psalm 8:2
Matthew 21:17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.	Matthew 21:17 Notes
Matthew 21:18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.	Matthew 21:18 Notes
Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.	Matthew 21:19 Notes This is a rather odd event, if taken literally, since the fig tree can surely not be blamed for not having figs: It may have been that figs were out of season. The critique is completely ignorant of botany as small edible buds emerge first during Spring bloom, hence the passage's reference to the leaves. Moreover, the literal context of this passage is that Jesus, as the disciples' rabbi, seeing the barren fruit tree used it to demonstrate a parable which is consistent with rabbinical pedagogy. The idea that a plant could be moral, let alone responsible by any of the theological variations of Judaic thought, would be laughed out of court. Contrary to the comments above, this scene when not taken literally and when compared to parallel passages is completely symbolic. Jesus cursing the Fig tree is an allegory of the destruction of the above mentioned temple and the disbanding of the Temple Cult which was the reigning Orthodoxy at the time. Jews were struggling to explain how God could possibly allow Israel to be repeatedly conquered by a half dozen different civilizations with incompatible religions and specifically allow for the destruction of their most holy Temple. The Gospels explain that God/Jesus thought that it was no longer the season for the Temple Cult because it was no longer bearing (spiritual) fruit so it would be destroyed. Compare this to other passages were Jesus speaks of a bad tree yielding bad fruit.
Matthew 21:20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!	Matthew 21:20 Notes
Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.	Matthew 21:21 Notes This is really worth a try. When Jesus says you can move mountains if you have enough faith, he's probably being modest. This is one of the many verses in the New Testament that attributes on almost magical power to prayer.
Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.	Matthew 21:22 Notes Let's put that to the test.
Matthew 21:23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?	Matthew 21:23 Notes
Matthew 21:24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.	Matthew 21:24 Notes
Matthew 21:25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?	Matthew 21:25 Notes
Matthew 21:26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.	Matthew 21:26 Notes
Matthew 21:27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.	Matthew 21:27 Notes
Matthew 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.	Matthew 21:28 Notes
Matthew 21:29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.	Matthew 21:29 Notes
Matthew 21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. A