“So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” — Matthew 18:35 Who Is the Greatest? (Verses 1–6) Coming directly off the transfiguration and the second passion prediction, the disciples arrive at Jesus with a question that reveals exactly how much they…
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” — Matthew 17:5 The Transfiguration (Verses 1–8) Six days after Peter’s confession and the first passion prediction, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain by themselves. What happens there is unlike anything else in the gospel. Jesus is…
“But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — Matthew 16:15–16 The Sign of Jonah Again (Verses 1–4) The Pharisees and Sadducees — groups that agree on almost nothing — arrive together to test Jesus, demanding a sign from heaven. Jesus points…
“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” — Matthew 15:11 Tradition Versus Commandment (Verses 1–9) Pharisees and scribes arrive from Jerusalem with a complaint: why do the disciples eat without washing their hands according to the tradition of the…
“And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.” — Matthew 14:35–36 The Death of John the Baptist…
“To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” —…
“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and…
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” — Matthew 11:28–29 John’s Question from Prison (Verses 1–6) John the Baptist is in…
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” — Matthew 10:16 The Twelve Named and Commissioned (Verses 1–4) Jesus calls his twelve disciples and gives them authority over unclean spirits and every disease and affliction. Then Matthew does something deliberate: he…
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” — Matthew 9:12–13 The Paralytic and the Deeper Healing (Verses 1–8) Jesus crosses back to Capernaum and is…