1När Jesus och hans efterföljare närmade sig Jerusalem och var nära byn Betfage vid Olivberget, skickade han iväg två av dem2och sa: ”Gå in i byn därframme. Där kommer ni att få se en åsna stå bunden med ett föl bredvid sig. Lösgör dem och ta hit dem,3och om någon frågar vad ni håller på med, så säg bara: ’Herren behöver dem’. Då kommer den som frågar genast att låta er ta djuren.”4Genom detta blev det verklighet som Gud förutsagt genom profeten Sakarja:5”Säg till Jerusalems invånare[1]: ’Se, er kung kommer till er, ödmjuk och ridande på en åsna, ja, på ett åsneföl!’ ”6De båda efterföljarna gjorde som Jesus hade befallt dem och7tog med åsnan och fölet till honom. Sedan la de sina mantlar på åsnorna, och Jesus satte sig på den ena åsnan och red iväg mot staden.8Många i folkmassan bredde ut sina mantlar som en matta framför honom, och andra skar kvistar från träden och strödde ut på vägen.[2]9Och allt folket, både de som gick framför Jesus och de som gick efter, ropade: ”Vi hyllar dig[3] som ska ärva kung Davids tron!Vi ärar dig som är sänd av Herren! Alla i himlen hyllar dig!”10Det blev stor uppståndelse i hela Jerusalem när han red in, och människorna frågade: ”Vem är han?”11Folkmassan svarade då: ”Det är profeten Jesus från Nasaret i Galileen.”
Jesus rensar templet
12Sedan gick Jesus in på tempelområdet och drev ut köpmännen och deras kunder. Han välte omkull borden för dem som växlade pengar och stånden för dem som sålde duvor.[4]13Och han sa till dem: ”Gud har sagt i Skriften[5]: ’Mitt hus ska vara en plats där människor kan be.’ Men ni har låtit det bli ’ett tillhåll för tjuvar och banditer’.”14Nu kom många blinda och förlamade fram till honom på tempelplatsen, och han botade dem.15Men när översteprästerna och laglärarna[6] såg dessa märkliga under och till och med hörde små barn ropa: ”Vi hyllar dig som ska ärva kung Davids tron”, blev de upprörda och frågade honom: ”Hör du inte vad barnen ropar?”16”Jo”, svarade Jesus. ”Men läser ni inte Skriften? Där står det ju: ’Till och med de små barnen sjunger lovsång till dig![7]’ ”17Sedan lämnade han dem och gick ut ur staden till byn Betania, där han stannade över natten.
Jesus förklarar att hans efterföljare kan be om vad som helst
18När Jesus på morgonen var på väg tillbaka till Jerusalem blev han hungrig.19Han fick då syn på ett fikonträd vid vägen och gick fram till det för att se om det fanns några fikon på det, men det fanns bara blad.[8] Då sa han till trädet: ”Du ska aldrig mer bära frukt!” Och genast vissnade fikonträdet.20Jesus efterföljare blev alldeles häpna och frågade: ”Hur kom det sig att fikonträdet vissnade så fort?”21Då sa Jesus till dem: ”Jag försäkrar, att om ni verkligen tror och inte tvivlar, kan ni också göra så här med fikonträdet, och mer än så. Ni kan till och med säga till det här berget : ’Upp med dig och kasta dig i havet’ och det kommer att göra det.22Ni kan få vad som helst som ni ber om i era böner, om ni bara tror.”
De judiska ledarna ifrågasätter Jesus uppdrag
23När Jesus hade kommit till tempelplatsen och höll på att undervisa där, kom översteprästerna och folkets ledare fram till honom. De krävde att få veta vad han hade för rätt att göra allt det han gjorde , och vem som hade gett honom det uppdraget.24”Det ska jag strax säga er”, sa Jesus, ”om ni bara svarar på en annan fråga först.”25”När Johannes döparen döpte, var det på Guds befallning eller inte?”De började genast diskutera med varandra och sa: ”Om vi säger att det var på Guds befallning, så kommer han att fråga varför vi inte trodde på honom.26Men om vi påstår att Gud inte hade sänt honom, då kommer vi att få problem med folket. Alla anser ju att Johannes var en profet som framförde Guds budskap.”27Därför svarade de till slut: ”Vi vet inte.”Då sa Jesus till dem: ”I så fall säger inte jag heller vem som har gett mig i uppdrag att göra det jag gör.”
Bilden om de två sönerna
28”Men vad säger ni om det här?” fortsatte Jesus. ”En man hade två söner, och en dag sa han till den ene: ’Gå ut och arbeta i vingården idag.’29’Det vill jag inte’, svarade sonen, men efter ett tag ändrade han sig och gick ändå.30Sedan sa pappan till den andre: ’Gå ut, du också’, och han svarade: ’Javisst, pappa, det ska jag göra.’ Men han gick aldrig.31Vilken av dessa två lydde sin pappa?”De svarade: ”Den förste naturligtvis.”Då förklarade Jesus vad han menade. Han sa: ”Jag försäkrar er, att tullindrivare[9] och prostituerade ska få tillhöra Guds eget folk, men inte ni.32Johannes döparen kom ju och visade er hur man kan leva efter Guds vilja, men ni trodde inte på honom. Tullindrivarna och de prostituerade däremot gjorde som han sa. Men trots att ni såg detta ångrade ni er inte och började tro på hans budskap.”
Berättelsen om mannen som arrenderade ut sin vingård
33”Jag ska berätta en annan bild för er”, sa Jesus. ”En jordägare planterade en vingård. Han byggde en mur runt omkring den och grävde en grop där han kunde pressa druvorna. Han byggde också ett vakttorn. Sedan arrenderade han ut vingården till några lantbrukare medan han själv reste bort.34När det så blev dags att skörda, sände han några tjänare till lantbrukarna för att hämta den del av skörden som var hans.35Men lantbrukarna överföll tjänarna. De misshandlade en, dödade en annan och stenade en tredje.36Då sände jordägaren dit ännu fler tjänare, men samma sak hände igen.37Till slut sände ägaren sin son, för han tänkte: ’Honom ska de väl ändå visa respekt för.’38Men när lantbrukarna fick se sonen, sa de till varandra: ’Här kommer han som ska ärva hela vingården. Kom så dödar vi honom och lägger beslag på den själva!’39Så tog de fast sonen, släpade ut honom ur vingården och dödade honom.”40”Vad tror ni ägaren gör med dessa lantbrukare när han kommer tillbaka?” frågade Jesus.41Översteprästerna och folkets ledare svarade: ”Han kommer helt säkert att döda dem, och sedan arrenderar han ut vingården till andra som ger honom hans del av skörden när det är dags.”42Då sa Jesus till dem: ”Har ni aldrig läst vad som står i Skriften[10]: ’Den sten som inte dög åt husbyggarna har blivit själva hörnstenen. Herren har utvalt den, och den är underbar att se!’43Vad jag menar är att de privilegier ni har som Guds folk ska tas ifrån er och överlämnas till människor som följer Guds vilja.[11]44Den som snubblar på den stenen blir krossad, och den som stenen faller på blir söndersmulad.[12]”45När översteprästerna och fariseerna[13] hörde vad Jesus berättade, förstod de att det var dem han talade om.46Därför ville de arrestera honom genast, men de var rädda för folket, som ansåg att Jesus var en profet som framförde Guds budskap.
1När de närmade sig Jerusalem och kom till Betfage vid Olivberget, skickade han iväg två lärjungar2och sa till dem: ”Gå till byn som ligger framför er. Där kommer ni genast att hitta ett åsnesto stå bundet med ett föl bredvid sig. Ta dem och led hit dem,3och om någon frågar vad ni håller på med, så säg bara: ’Herren behöver dem och kommer snart att lämna tillbaka dem.’ ”4Genom detta gick det i uppfyllelse som förutsagts genom profeten:5”Säg till dotter Sion[1]: ’Se, din kung kommer till dig, ödmjuk och ridande på en åsna, ja, på ett åsneföl.’ ”[2]6De båda lärjungarna gjorde som Jesus hade befallt dem och7tog med åsnan och fölet till honom. Sedan lade de sina mantlar på åsnorna, och Jesus satt upp.8Många i folkmassan bredde ut sina mantlar på vägen, och andra skar kvistar från träden och strödde ut på vägen.[3]9Och allt folket, både de som gick framför Jesus och de som gick efter, ropade: ”Hosianna[4], Davids Son!” ”Välsignad är han som kommer i Herrens namn!” ”Hosianna i höjden!”10Det blev stor uppståndelse i hela Jerusalem när han red in, och människorna frågade: ”Vem är han?”11Folkmassan svarade då: ”Det är profeten Jesus från Nasaret i Galileen.”
Jesus rensar templet
12Sedan gick Jesus in i templet och drev ut alla köpmännen och deras kunder ur templet. Han välte omkull borden för dem som växlade pengar och stånden för dem som sålde duvor.[5]13Och han sa till dem: ”Det står skrivet: ’Mitt hus ska kallas ett bönehus.’ Men ni gör det till ett rövarnäste.”[6]14Nu kom många blinda och förlamade fram till honom på tempelplatsen, och han botade dem.15Men när översteprästerna och de skriftlärda såg dessa märkliga under och små barn som ropade på tempelområdet: ”Hosianna, Davids Son”[7], blev de upprörda och frågade honom: ”Hör du inte vad barnen ropar?”16”Jo”, svarade Jesus. ”Men har ni inte läst: ’Av barns och småbarns mun har du gjort en lovsång till dig[8]?’ ”17Sedan lämnade han dem och gick ut ur staden till Betania, där han stannade över natten.
Jesus förbannar fikonträdet
18När Jesus på morgonen var på väg tillbaka till staden blev han hungrig.19Han fick då syn på ett fikonträd vid vägen, gick fram för att se om det fanns någon frukt på det men det fanns bara blad.[9] Då sa han till trädet: ”Aldrig mer ska du bära frukt!” Och genast vissnade fikonträdet.20Lärjungarna blev alldeles häpna och frågade: ”Hur kom det sig att fikonträdet vissnade så fort?”21Då sa Jesus till dem: ”Sannerligen säger jag er: om ni tror och inte tvivlar, kan ni också göra så här med fikonträdet, och mer än så. Ni kan till och med säga till det här berget: ’Upp med dig och kasta dig i havet’ och det kommer att göra det.22Ni kan få vad som helst som ni ber om i era böner, om ni bara tror.”
De judiska ledarna ifrågasätter Jesus fullmakt
23När Jesus hade kommit till tempelplatsen och höll på att undervisa där, kom översteprästerna och folkets ledare fram till honom. De frågade: ”Vad har du för fullmakt att göra detta, och vem har gett dig den fullmakten?”24Jesus sa: ”Jag vill också ställa en fråga till er. Om ni svarar på den, ska jag tala om för er vad jag har för fullmakt att göra detta.”25”Varifrån kom Johannes dop, från himlen eller från människor?” De började genast diskutera med varandra och sa: ”Om vi säger att det var från himlen, så kommer han att fråga varför vi inte trodde på honom.26Men om vi säger att det var från människor, då kommer vi att få vara rädda för folket. Alla anser ju att Johannes var en profet.”27Därför svarade de till slut: ”Vi vet inte.” Då sa Jesus till dem: ”I så fall säger inte jag heller vad jag har för fullmakt att göra detta.”
Liknelsen om de två sönerna
28”Men vad säger ni om det här? En man hade två söner, och en dag sa han till den ene: ’Gå ut och arbeta i vingården idag.’29’Det vill jag inte’, svarade sonen, men efter ett tag ändrade han sig och gick ändå.30Sedan sa fadern likadant till den andre, och han svarade: ’Javisst, far, det ska jag göra.’ Men han gick aldrig.31Vilken av dessa två lydde sin far?” De svarade: ”Den förste naturligtvis.” Då sa Jesus till dem: ”Sannerligen säger jag er: tullindrivare och prostituerade ska gå före er till Guds rike.32Johannes kom ju och visade er rättfärdighetens väg, men ni trodde inte på honom. Tullindrivarna och de prostituerade trodde däremot på honom. Men trots att ni såg detta ångrade ni er inte och började tro på honom.
Liknelsen om mannen som arrenderade ut sin vingård
33Hör nu på en annan liknelse. En jordägare planterade en vingård. Han byggde en mur runt omkring den och grävde en grop där han kunde pressa druvorna. Han byggde också ett vakttorn. Sedan arrenderade han ut vingården till några lantbrukare medan han själv reste bort.34När det så blev dags att skörda, sände han några tjänare till lantbrukarna för att hämta den del av skörden som var hans.35Men lantbrukarna tog fast tjänarna, misshandlade en, dödade en annan och stenade en tredje.36Då sände jordägaren dit ännu fler tjänare, men samma sak hände igen.37Till slut sände ägaren sin son, för han tänkte: ’Honom ska de väl ändå visa respekt för.’38Men när lantbrukarna fick se sonen, sa de till varandra: ’Här kommer arvtagaren. Kom så dödar vi honom och lägger beslag på den själva!’39Så tog de fast sonen, släpade ut honom ur vingården och dödade honom.40Vad ska nu vingårdsägaren göra med dessa lantbrukare när han kommer tillbaka?”41Översteprästerna och folkets ledare svarade: ”Han kommer helt säkert att döda dem, och sedan arrenderar han ut vingården till andra som ger honom hans del av skörden när det är dags.”42Då sa Jesus till dem: ”Har ni aldrig läst i Skrifterna: ’Den sten som inte dög åt byggnadsarbetarna har blivit en hörnsten. Det är Herrens verk och förunderligt i våra ögon.’[10]43Därför säger jag er att Guds rike ska tas ifrån er och överlämnas till ett folk som bär dess frukt.44Den som snubblar på den stenen blir krossad, och den som stenen faller på blir söndersmulad.[11]”45När översteprästerna och fariseerna hörde Jesus liknelser, förstod de att det var dem han talade om.46Därför ville de arrestera honom genast, men de var rädda för folket, som ansåg att Jesus var en profet.
1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,2saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.3If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.’4This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet:5‘Say to Daughter Zion, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” ’ (Sak 9:9)6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.7They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna[1] to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna[2] in the highest heaven!’ (Ps 118:25; Ps 118:26)10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’11The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’
Jesus at the temple
12Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those selling doves.13‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘ “My house will be called a house of prayer,” but you are making it “a den of robbers.” ’ (Jes 56:7; Jer 7:11)14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ they were indignant.16‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked him. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, ‘ “From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise”[3]?’ (Ps 8:2)17And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
Jesus curses a fig-tree
18Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.19Seeing a fig-tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ Immediately the tree withered.20When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. ‘How did the fig-tree wither so quickly?’ they asked.21Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig-tree, but also you can say to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea,” and it will be done.22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.’
The authority of Jesus questioned
23Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you this authority?’24Jesus replied, ‘I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.25John’s baptism – where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?’ They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will ask, “Then why didn’t you believe him?”26But if we say, “Of human origin” – we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’27So they answered Jesus, ‘We don’t know.’ Then he said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
The parable of the two sons
28‘What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.”29‘ “I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.30‘Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go.31‘Which of the two did what his father wanted?’ ‘The first,’ they answered. Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
The parable of the tenants
33‘Listen to another parable: there was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall round it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place.34When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.35‘The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.36Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them in the same way.37Last of all, he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son,” he said.38‘But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.”39So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.40‘Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’41‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,’ they replied, ‘and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.’42Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘ “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes”? (Ps 118:22; Ps 118:23)43‘Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.44Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.’[4]45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them.46They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.
1As they all approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage. It was on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two disciples.2He said to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you. As soon as you get there, you will find a donkey tied up. Her colt will be with her. Untie them and bring them to me.3If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them. The owner will send them right away.’4This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet would come true. It says,5‘Say to the city of Zion, “See, your king comes to you. He is gentle and riding on a donkey. He is riding on a donkey’s colt.” ’ (Sak 9:9)6The disciples went and did what Jesus told them to do.7They brought the donkey and the colt. They placed their coats on them for Jesus to sit on.8A very large crowd spread their coats on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.9Some of the people went ahead of him, and some followed. They all shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ (Ps 118:26)10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. The people asked, ‘Who is this?’11The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus. He is the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’
Jesus clears out the temple
12Jesus entered the temple courtyard. He began to drive out all those who were buying and selling there. He turned over the tables of the people who were exchanging money. He also turned over the benches of those who were selling doves.13He said to them, ‘It is written that the Lord said, “My house will be called a house where people can pray.” But you are making it “a den for robbers.” ’ (Jes 56:7; Jer 7:11)14Blind people and those who were disabled came to Jesus at the temple. There he healed them.15The chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did. They also saw the children in the temple courtyard shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ But when they saw all this, they became angry.16‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked him. ‘Yes’, replied Jesus. ‘Haven’t you ever read about it in Scripture? It says, ‘ “Lord, you have made sure that children and infants praise you.” ’ (Ps 8:2)17Then Jesus left the people and went out of the city to Bethany. He spent the night there.
Jesus makes a fig tree dry up
18Early in the morning, Jesus was on his way back to Jerusalem. He was hungry.19He saw a fig tree by the road. He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ Right away the tree dried up.20When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. ‘How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?’ they asked.21Jesus replied, ‘What I’m about to tell you is true. You must have faith and not doubt. Then you can do what was done to the fig tree. And you can say to this mountain, “Go and throw yourself into the sea.” It will be done.22If you believe, you will receive what you ask for when you pray.’
The authority of Jesus is questioned
23Jesus entered the temple courtyard. While he was teaching there, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘Who gave you this authority?’24Jesus replied, ‘I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.25Where did John’s baptism come from? Was it from heaven? Or did it come from human authority?’ They talked to one another about it. They said, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will ask, “Then why didn’t you believe him?”26But what if we say, “From human authority”? We are afraid of the people. Everyone believes that John was a prophet.’27So they answered Jesus, ‘We don’t know.’ Jesus said, ‘Then I won’t tell you by what authority I am doing these things either.
The story of the two sons
28‘What do you think about this? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.”29‘ “I will not,” the son answered. But later he changed his mind and went.30‘Then the father went to the other son. He said the same thing. The son answered, “I will, sir.” But he did not go.31‘Which of the two sons did what his father wanted?’ ‘The first’, they answered. Jesus said to them, ‘What I’m about to tell you is true. Tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God ahead of you.32John came to show you the right way to live. And you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. You saw this. But even then you did not turn away from your sins and believe him.
The story of the tenants
33‘Listen to another story. A man who owned some land planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it. He dug a pit for a winepress in it. He also built a lookout tower. He rented the vineyard out to some farmers. Then he moved to another place.34When harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the tenants. He told the slaves to collect his share of the fruit.35‘But the tenants grabbed his slaves. They beat one of them. They killed another. They threw stones at the third to kill him.36Then the man sent other slaves to the tenants. He sent more than he did the first time. The tenants treated them the same way.37Last of all, he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son,” he said.38‘But the tenants saw the son coming. They said to one another, “This is the one who will receive all the owner’s property someday. Come, let’s kill him. Then everything will be ours.”39So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard. Then they killed him.40‘When the owner of the vineyard comes back, what will he do to those tenants?’41‘He will destroy those evil people,’ they replied. ‘Then he will rent the vineyard out to other tenants. They will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.’42Jesus said to them, ‘Haven’t you ever read what the Scriptures say, ‘ “The stone the builders didn’t accept has become the most important stone of all. The Lord has done it. It is wonderful in our eyes”? (Ps 118:22; Ps 118:23)43‘So here is what I tell you. The kingdom of God will be taken away from you. It will be given to people who will produce its fruit.44Anyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces. But the stone will crush anyone it falls on.’45The chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ stories. They knew he was talking about them.46So they looked for a way to arrest him. But they were afraid of the crowd. The people believed that Jesus was a prophet.
Matteus 21
King James Version
1And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,2Saying 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.3And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.4All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,5Tell 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.6And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,7And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.8And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.9And 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.10And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?11And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.12And 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,13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.15And 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,16And 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?17And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.18Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.19And 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.20And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!21Jesus 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.22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.23And 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?24And 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.25The 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?26But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.27And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.28But 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.29He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.31Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.32For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.33Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:34And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.35And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.36Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.37But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.38But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.39And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.40When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?41They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.42Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?43Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.44And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.45And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.46But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
1Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, (Sak 14:4; Matt 24:3; Matt 26:30; Mark 11:1; Mark 14:13; Luk 19:29; Joh 8:1; Joh 12:12; Apg 1:12)2saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.3If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”4This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, (Matt 1:22)5“Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt,[1] the foal of a beast of burden.’” (Jes 62:11; Sak 9:9; Matt 11:29)6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.7They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them.8Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. (2 Kung 9:13)9And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Ps 118:25; Ps 118:26; Ps 148:1; Matt 20:30; Matt 23:39; Luk 2:14; Upp 7:10)10And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” (Mark 11:11)11And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matt 2:23; Matt 21:46; Mark 6:15; Luk 7:16; Luk 9:8; Luk 9:19; Luk 13:33; Luk 24:19; Joh 1:21; Joh 4:19; Joh 6:14; Joh 7:40; Joh 9:17)
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
12And Jesus entered the temple[2] and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. (2 Mos 30:13; 3 Mos 1:14; 3 Mos 5:7; 3 Mos 12:8; Mark 11:15; Luk 2:24; Luk 19:45; Joh 2:14)13He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” (Jes 56:7; Jer 7:11)14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. (Matt 11:5; Matt 15:31)15But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, (Matt 21:9; Luk 19:39)16and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” (Ps 8:2; Matt 11:25; Matt 12:3; Matt 12:5; Matt 19:4; Matt 21:42; Matt 22:31)17And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there. (Matt 16:4; Mark 11:1; Mark 11:19; Luk 19:29; Luk 21:37; Luk 24:50; Joh 11:18)
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
18In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. (Matt 4:2; Mark 11:12; Mark 11:20)19And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. (Luk 13:6)20When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?”21And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. (Ps 46:2; Matt 17:20; Joh 14:12; Apg 10:20; Rom 4:20; Rom 14:23; 1 Kor 13:2; Jak 1:6; Upp 8:8)22And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt 7:7; Matt 21:21)
The Authority of Jesus Challenged
23And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” (2 Mos 2:14; Matt 26:55; Mark 11:27; Luk 20:1; Joh 1:25; Apg 4:7)24Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things.25The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ (Matt 13:54; Matt 21:32; Luk 7:30; Luk 15:18; Luk 15:21; Joh 3:27)26But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” (Matt 11:9; Matt 14:5; Matt 21:46; Joh 5:35)27So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
The Parable of the Two Sons
28“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ (Matt 17:25; Matt 18:12; Matt 20:1; Matt 21:33)29And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. (Matt 21:32; Matt 27:3; Heb 7:21)30And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.31Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. (Matt 12:28; Luk 7:29; Luk 7:37)32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him. (Ords 8:20; Matt 3:8; Matt 3:15; Matt 11:18; Matt 21:25; Matt 21:29; Luk 3:12; 2 Pet 2:21)
The Parable of the Tenants
33“Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. (Ps 80:8; Höga v 8:11; Jes 5:1; Jes 5:2; Matt 21:28; Matt 25:14; Mark 12:1; Mark 13:34; Luk 20:9)34When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants[3] to the tenants to get his fruit. (Matt 21:33)35And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. (2 Krön 24:19; 2 Krön 24:21; 2 Krön 36:15; Neh 9:26; Jer 37:15; Jer 38:6; Matt 5:12; Matt 22:6; Matt 23:34; Matt 23:37; Joh 10:31; Apg 7:52; Apg 7:59; 2 Kor 11:24; 1 Thess 2:15; Heb 11:36)36Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. (Matt 22:4)37Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’38But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ (1 Kung 21:19; Joh 1:11; Rom 8:17; Heb 1:2)39And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. (Heb 13:12)40When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” (Matt 24:50; Matt 25:19)41They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” (Matt 8:11; Matt 21:43; Luk 19:27; Apg 13:46; Apg 18:6; Apg 28:28)42Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;[4] this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? (Ps 118:22; Matt 21:16; Apg 4:11; 1 Pet 2:7)43Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. (Jes 5:4; Jes 5:7; Matt 3:10; Luk 14:24)44And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”[5] (Jes 8:14; Dan 2:34; Dan 2:44; Rom 9:32; 1 Pet 2:8)45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them.46And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet. (Matt 21:11; Matt 21:26; Matt 26:4; Mark 11:18; Luk 19:47; Joh 7:25; Joh 7:30; Joh 7:44)