Das Vaterunser und der Aufruf zum beharrlichen Bitten
1Und es geschah: Jesus betete einmal an einem Ort; als er das Gebet beendet hatte, sagte einer seiner Jünger zu ihm: Herr, lehre uns beten, wie auch Johannes seine Jünger beten gelehrt hat! (Mt 6,9)2Da sagte er zu ihnen: Wenn ihr betet, so sprecht:
Vater, geheiligt werde dein Name. / Dein Reich komme.3Gib uns täglich das Brot, das wir brauchen!4Und erlass uns unsere Sünden; / denn auch wir erlassen jedem, was er uns schuldig ist. / Und führe uns nicht in Versuchung!5Dann sagte er zu ihnen: Wenn einer von euch einen Freund hat und um Mitternacht zu ihm geht und sagt: Freund, leih mir drei Brote;6denn einer meiner Freunde, der auf Reisen ist, ist zu mir gekommen und ich habe ihm nichts anzubieten!,7wird dann der Mann drinnen antworten: Lass mich in Ruhe, die Tür ist schon verschlossen und meine Kinder schlafen bei mir; ich kann nicht aufstehen und dir etwas geben?8Ich sage euch: Wenn er schon nicht deswegen aufsteht und ihm etwas gibt, weil er sein Freund ist, so wird er doch wegen seiner Zudringlichkeit aufstehen und ihm geben, was er braucht.9Darum sage ich euch: Bittet und es wird euch gegeben; sucht und ihr werdet finden; klopft an und es wird euch geöffnet. (Mt 7,7; Mk 11,24; Joh 14,13; Joh 15,7; Joh 16,24)10Denn wer bittet, der empfängt; wer sucht, der findet; und wer anklopft, dem wird geöffnet.11Oder welcher Vater unter euch, den der Sohn um einen Fisch bittet, gibt ihm statt eines Fisches eine Schlange12oder einen Skorpion, wenn er um ein Ei bittet?13Wenn nun ihr, die ihr böse seid, euren Kindern gute Gaben zu geben wisst, wie viel mehr wird der Vater im Himmel den Heiligen Geist denen geben, die ihn bitten.
Verteidigungsrede Jesu
14Jesus trieb einen Dämon aus, der stumm war. Es geschah aber: Als der Dämon ausgefahren war, da konnte der Mann reden. Alle Leute staunten. (Mt 12,22; Mk 3,22)15Einige von ihnen aber sagten: Mit Hilfe von Beelzebul, dem Herrscher der Dämonen, treibt er die Dämonen aus. (Mt 10,25)16Andere wollten ihn auf die Probe stellen und forderten von ihm ein Zeichen vom Himmel. (Mt 12,38; Mt 16,1; Mk 8,11; Lk 11,29; Joh 6,30; 1Kor 1,22)17Doch er wusste, was sie dachten, und sagte zu ihnen: Jedes Reich, das in sich selbst gespalten ist, wird veröden und ein Haus ums andere stürzt ein.18Wenn also der Satan in sich selbst gespalten ist, wie kann sein Reich dann Bestand haben? Ihr sagt doch, dass ich die Dämonen mit Hilfe von Beelzebul austreibe.19Wenn ich aber die Dämonen durch Beelzebul austreibe, durch wen treiben dann eure Söhne sie aus? Deswegen werden sie eure Richter sein.20Wenn ich aber die Dämonen durch den Finger Gottes austreibe, dann ist das Reich Gottes schon zu euch gekommen. (2Mo 8,15; Ps 8,4; Lk 17,21)21Solange ein bewaffneter starker Mann seinen Hof bewacht, ist sein Besitz sicher; (Jes 49,24)22wenn ihn aber ein Stärkerer angreift und besiegt, dann nimmt ihm der Stärkere seine ganze Rüstung, auf die er sich verlassen hat, und verteilt seine Beute.23Wer nicht mit mir ist, der ist gegen mich; wer nicht mit mir sammelt, der zerstreut.
Von der Rückkehr unreiner Geister
24Wenn ein unreiner Geist aus dem Menschen ausfährt, durchwandert er wasserlose Gegenden, um eine Ruhestätte zu suchen, findet aber keine. Dann sagt er: Ich will in mein Haus zurückkehren, das ich verlassen habe. (Mt 12,43)25Und er kommt und findet es sauber und geschmückt.26Dann geht er und holt sieben andere Geister, die noch schlimmer sind als er selbst. Sie ziehen dort ein und lassen sich nieder. Und die letzten Dinge jenes Menschen werden schlimmer sein als die ersten.
Vom Verstehen des Wortes Gottes
27Es geschah aber: Als er das sagte, da erhob eine Frau aus der Menge ihre Stimme und rief ihm zu: Selig der Schoß, der dich getragen, und die Brust, die dich gestillt hat!28Er aber erwiderte: Ja, selig sind vielmehr, die das Wort Gottes hören und es befolgen. (Lk 8,21)29Als immer mehr Menschen zusammenkamen, begann er zu sprechen: Diese Generation ist eine böse Generation. Sie fordert ein Zeichen; aber es wird ihr kein Zeichen gegeben werden außer das Zeichen des Jona. (Mt 12,38; Mt 16,1; Mk 8,11; Lk 11,16; Joh 6,30)30Denn wie Jona für die Einwohner von Ninive ein Zeichen war, so wird es auch der Menschensohn für diese Generation sein.31Die Königin des Südens wird beim Gericht mit den Männern dieser Generation auftreten und sie verurteilen; denn sie kam von den Enden der Erde, um die Weisheit Salomos zu hören. Und siehe, hier ist mehr als Salomo. (1Kön 10,1)32Die Männer von Ninive werden beim Gericht mit dieser Generation auftreten und sie verurteilen; denn sie sind auf die Botschaft des Jona hin umgekehrt. Und siehe, hier ist mehr als Jona. (Jon 3,5)33Niemand zündet eine Leuchte an und stellt sie in einen versteckten Winkel oder unter einen Scheffel, sondern auf einen Leuchter, damit alle, die eintreten, das Licht sehen. (Mt 5,15; Mk 4,21; Lk 8,16)34Die Leuchte des Leibes ist dein Auge. Wenn dein Auge gesund ist, dann ist dein ganzer Leib hell. Wenn es aber krank ist, dann ist auch dein Leib finster. (Mt 6,22)35Achte also darauf, dass das Licht in dir nicht Finsternis ist!36Wenn nun dein ganzer Leib hell ist und nichts Finsteres in ihm ist, dann wird er ganz hell sein, wie wenn die Leuchte dich mit ihrem Strahl bescheint.
Die Weherufe gegen die Pharisäer und Gesetzeslehrer
37Nach dieser Rede lud ein Pharisäer Jesus ein, bei ihm zu essen. Jesus ging zu ihm und begab sich zu Tisch. (Mt 23,1)38Als der Pharisäer sah, dass er sich vor dem Essen nicht die Hände wusch, war er verwundert. (Mt 15,2; Mk 7,2; Kol 2,21)39Da sagte der Herr zu ihm: O ihr Pharisäer! Ihr haltet zwar Becher und Teller außen sauber, innen aber seid ihr voll Raffsucht und Bosheit.40Ihr Unverständigen! Hat nicht der, der das Äußere schuf, auch das Innere geschaffen?41Gebt lieber als Almosen, was ihr habt; und siehe, alles ist für euch rein.42Doch weh euch Pharisäern! Ihr gebt den Zehnten von Minze, Gewürzkraut und allem Gemüse und geht am Recht und an der Liebe Gottes vorbei. Man muss das eine tun, ohne das andere zu unterlassen.43Weh euch Pharisäern! Ihr liebt den Ehrenplatz in den Synagogen und wollt auf den Straßen und Plätzen gegrüßt werden. (Mk 12,38; Lk 20,46)44Weh euch: Ihr seid wie Gräber, die man nicht mehr sieht; die Leute gehen darüber, ohne es zu merken.45Darauf erwiderte ihm ein Gesetzeslehrer: Meister, mit diesen Worten beleidigst du auch uns.46Er antwortete: Weh auch euch Gesetzeslehrern! Ihr ladet den Menschen unerträgliche Lasten auf, selbst aber rührt ihr die Lasten mit keinem Finger an.47Weh euch! Ihr errichtet Denkmäler für die Propheten, die von euren Vätern umgebracht wurden.48Damit bestätigt und billigt ihr, was eure Väter getan haben. Sie haben die Propheten umgebracht, ihr errichtet ihnen Bauten.49Deshalb hat auch die Weisheit Gottes gesagt: Ich werde Propheten und Apostel zu ihnen senden und sie werden einige von ihnen töten und andere verfolgen,50damit das Blut aller Propheten, das seit der Erschaffung der Welt vergossen worden ist, von dieser Generation gefordert wird,51vom Blut Abels bis zum Blut des Zacharias, der zwischen Altar und Tempelhaus umgebracht wurde. Ja, das sage ich euch: An dieser Generation wird es gerächt werden. (1Mo 4,8; 2Chr 24,20)52Weh euch Gesetzeslehrern! Ihr habt den Schlüssel zur Erkenntnis weggenommen. Ihr selbst seid nicht hineingegangen und die, die hineingehen wollten, habt ihr daran gehindert.53Als Jesus von dort weggegangen war, begannen die Schriftgelehrten und die Pharisäer, ihn mit vielerlei Fragen hartnäckig zu bedrängen;54sie lauerten ihm auf, um ihn in seinen eigenen Worten zu fangen.
1Now Jesus[1] was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” (Lk 5,33)2And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. (Jes 29,23; Mt 3,2; Mt 4,17; Mt 6,9; Lk 1,49; Joh 17,6; Joh 20,17; 1Petr 1,17; 1Petr 3,15)3Give us each day our daily bread,[2] (Spr 30,8; Mt 6,34)4and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” (Mt 26,41; Mk 14,38; Lk 7,48; Lk 22,40; Lk 22,46; 1Kor 10,13)5And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves,6for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;7and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’?8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence[3] he will rise and give him whatever he needs. (Lk 18,1)9And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (1Chr 28,9; 2Chr 15,2; Spr 8,17; Jes 55,6; Jer 29,13; Mt 7,7; Mt 18,19; Mt 21,22; Mk 11,24; Joh 14,13; Joh 15,7; Joh 15,16; Joh 16,23; Jak 1,5; Jak 1,17; 1Joh 3,22; 1Joh 5,14; Offb 3,20)10For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.11What father among you, if his son asks for[4] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;12or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (1Mo 6,5; 1Mo 8,21; Mt 12,34; Joh 4,10; Apg 2,38)
Jesus and Beelzebul
14Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. (Mt 9,32; Mt 12,22)15But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” (Mt 10,25)16while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. (Joh 8,6)17But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. (Mt 9,4; Mt 12,25; Mk 3,23)18And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.19And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. (2Kön 2,7; Apg 19,13)20But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (2Mo 8,19; 2Mo 31,18; 5Mo 9,10; Ps 8,3; Mt 19,24; Mt 21,31; Mt 21,43; Lk 17,21)21When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;22but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. (Jes 49,24; Jes 53,12; Joh 16,33; Eph 6,11)23Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. (Mt 12,30; Mk 9,40; Lk 9,50)
Return of an Unclean Spirit
24“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ (Ps 63,1; Jer 2,6; Mt 12,43)25And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order.26Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.” (Joh 5,14; 2Petr 2,20)
True Blessedness
27As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” (2Chr 9,7; Lk 1,48; Lk 12,13)28But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (3Mo 22,31; Lk 8,21; Jak 1,22; Offb 1,3; Offb 22,7)
The Sign of Jonah
29When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. (Mt 12,38; Mt 12,39; Mk 8,11; Lk 11,16; Lk 12,1)30For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. (Jon 1,17)31The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. (1Kön 10,1; 2Chr 9,1; Jer 3,11; Hes 16,51; Mt 12,6; Röm 2,27; Hebr 11,7)32The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. (Jon 1,2; Jon 3,5; Lk 11,31)
The Light in You
33“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. (Mt 5,15; Mk 4,21; Lk 8,16)34Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. (5Mo 15,9; Mt 6,22)35Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. (Lk 11,34)36If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” (Mt 5,16)
Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers
37While Jesus[5] was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. (Lk 7,36; Lk 14,1)38The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. (Mt 15,2; Mk 7,3)39And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. (Mt 23,25; Lk 16,14; Lk 20,47)40You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? (Lk 11,39; Lk 12,20)41But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. (Dan 4,27; Lk 12,33; Lk 16,9; Tit 1,15)42“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. (5Mo 14,22; 1Sam 15,22; Ps 33,5; Jer 5,1; Mi 6,8; Sach 7,9; Mt 23,23; Lk 18,12; 1Joh 3,17)43Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. (Mt 23,6; Mk 12,38; Lk 14,7; Lk 20,46)44Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.” (Mt 23,27)45One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.” (Lk 7,30; Lk 11,46; Lk 11,52)46And he said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. (Mt 11,28; Mt 23,4; Lk 11,45; Lk 11,52; Apg 15,10)47Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. (Mt 23,29)48So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs. (Mt 23,31; Apg 7,51; Röm 1,32)49Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ (Spr 8,12; Spr 8,22; Spr 8,30; Mt 11,19; Mt 21,35; Mt 23,34; Lk 7,35; Apg 13,1; 1Kor 1,24; 1Kor 1,30; 1Kor 12,28; Kol 2,3; 1Thess 2,15)50so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, (1Mo 42,22; 2Chr 24,22; Hes 3,18; Mt 13,35; Offb 18,24)51from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. (1Mo 4,4; 1Mo 4,8; 2Mo 40,6; 2Kön 16,14; 2Chr 24,20; Hes 40,47; Lk 11,50; Hebr 11,4; 1Joh 3,12)52Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.” (Mal 2,7; Mt 5,20; Mt 21,31; Mt 23,13; Lk 7,30; Lk 11,45; Röm 2,20)53As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things,54lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say. (Jes 29,21; Mt 22,15; Mk 3,2; Mk 12,13; Lk 20,20; Joh 8,6)
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’2He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: ‘ “Father,[1] hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.[2]3Give us each day our daily bread.4Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.[3] And lead us not into temptation.[4] ” ’5Then Jesus said to them, ‘Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread;6a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.”7And suppose the one inside answers, “Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.”8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity[5] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.9‘So I say to you: ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.10For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.11‘Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[6] a fish, will give him a snake instead?12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’
Jesus and Beelzebul
14Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed.15But some of them said, ‘By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.’16Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.17Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: ‘Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.18If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul.19Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.20But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.21‘When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe.22But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armour in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.23‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.24‘When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, “I will return to the house I left.”25When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.26Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.’27As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, ‘Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.’28He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’
The sign of Jonah
29As the crowds increased, Jesus said, ‘This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.30For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.31The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.
The lamp of the body
33‘No-one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.34Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy,[7] your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy,[8] your body also is full of darkness.35See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.36Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.’
Woes on the Pharisees and the experts in the law
37When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table.38But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.39Then the Lord said to him, ‘Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.40You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?41But now as for what is inside you – be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.42‘Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practised the latter without leaving the former undone.43‘Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the market-places.44‘Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.’45One of the experts in the law answered him, ‘Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.’46Jesus replied, ‘And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.47‘Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them.48So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.49Because of this, God in his wisdom said, “I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.”50Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world,51from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.52‘Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.’53When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions,54waiting to catch him in something he might say.
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples spoke to him. ‘Lord’, he said, ‘teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’2Jesus said to them, ‘When you pray, this is what you should say. ‘ “Father, may your name be honoured. May your kingdom come.3Give us each day our daily bread.4Forgive us our sins, as we also forgive everyone who sins against us. Keep us from falling into sin when we are tempted.” ’5Then Jesus said to them, ‘Suppose you have a friend. You go to him at midnight and say, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread.6A friend of mine on a journey has come to stay with me. I have no food to give him.”7And suppose the one inside answers, “Don’t bother me. The door is already locked. My children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.”8I tell you, that person will not get up. And he won’t give you bread just because he is your friend. But because you keep bothering him, he will surely get up. He will give you as much as you need.9‘So here is what I say to you. Ask, and it will be given to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.10Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find. And the door will be opened to the one who knocks.11‘Fathers, suppose your son asks for a fish. Which of you will give him a snake instead?12Or suppose he asks for an egg. Which of you will give him a scorpion?13Even though you are evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father who is in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’
Jesus and Beelzebul
14Jesus was driving out a demon. The man who had the demon could not speak. When the demon left, the man began to speak. The crowd was amazed.15But some of them said, ‘Jesus is driving out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons.’16Others tested Jesus by asking for a sign from heaven.17Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, ‘Any kingdom that fights against itself will be destroyed. A family that is divided against itself will fall.18If Satan fights against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because of what you claim. You say I drive out demons by the power of Beelzebul.19Suppose I do drive out demons with Beelzebul’s help. With whose help do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.20But suppose I drive out demons with the help of God’s powerful finger. Then God’s kingdom has come upon you.21‘When a strong man is completely armed and guards his house, what he owns is safe.22But when someone stronger attacks, he is overpowered. The attacker takes away the armour the man had trusted in. Then he divides up what he has stolen.23‘Whoever is not with me is against me. And whoever does not gather with me scatters.24‘What happens when an evil spirit comes out of a person? It goes through dry areas looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find it. Then it says, “I will return to the house I left.”25When it arrives there, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.26Then the evil spirit goes and takes seven other spirits more evil than itself. They go in and live there. That person is worse off than before.’27As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out. She shouted, ‘Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and fed you.’28He replied, ‘Instead, blessed are those who hear God’s word and obey it.’
The sign of Jonah
29As the crowds grew larger, Jesus spoke to them. ‘The people of today are evil,’ he said. ‘They ask for a sign from God. But none will be given except the sign of Jonah.30He was a sign from God to the people of Nineveh. In the same way, the Son of Man will be a sign from God to the people of today.31The Queen of the South will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And she will prove that they are guilty. She came from very far away to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. And now something more important than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineveh will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And the Ninevites will prove that those people are guilty. The men of Nineveh turned away from their sins when Jonah preached to them. And now something more important than Jonah is here.
The eye is the lamp of the body
33‘No one lights a lamp and hides it. No one puts it under a bowl. Instead, they put a lamp on its stand. Then those who come in can see the light.34Your eye is like a lamp for your body. Suppose your eyes are healthy. Then your whole body also is full of light. But suppose your eyes can’t see well. Then your body also is full of darkness.35So make sure that the light inside you is not darkness.36Suppose your whole body is full of light. And suppose no part of it is dark. Then your body will be full of light. It will be just as when a lamp shines its light on you.’
Six warnings
37Jesus finished speaking. Then a Pharisee invited him to eat with him. So Jesus went in and took his place at the table.38But the Pharisee was surprised. He noticed that Jesus did not wash before the meal.39Then the Lord spoke to him. ‘You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish,’ he said. ‘But inside you are full of greed and evil.40You foolish people! Didn’t the one who made the outside make the inside also?41Give freely to poor people to show what is inside you. Then everything will be clean for you.42‘How terrible it will be for you Pharisees! You give God a tenth of your garden plants, such as mint and rue. But you have forgotten to be fair and to love God. You should have practised the last things without failing to do the first.43‘How terrible for you Pharisees! You love the most important seats in the synagogues. You love having people greet you with respect in the market.44‘How terrible for you! You are like graves that are not marked. People walk over them without knowing it.’45An authority on the law spoke to Jesus. He said, ‘Teacher, when you say things like that, you say bad things about us too.’46Jesus replied, ‘How terrible for you authorities on the law! You put such heavy loads on people that they can hardly carry them. But you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.47‘How terrible for you! You build tombs for the prophets. It was your people of long ago who killed them.48So you show that you agree with what your people did long ago. They killed the prophets, and now you build the prophets’ tombs.49So God in his wisdom said, “I will send prophets and apostles to them. They will kill some. And they will try to hurt others.”50So the people of today will be punished. They will pay for all the prophets’ blood spilled since the world began.51I mean from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah. He was killed between the altar and the temple. Yes, I tell you, the people of today will be punished for all these things.52‘How terrible for you authorities on the law! You have taken away the key to the door of knowledge. You yourselves have not entered. And you have stood in the way of those who were entering.’53When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law strongly opposed him. They threw a lot of questions at him.54They set traps for him. They wanted to catch him in something he might say.