Jesus compares the Pharisees with raucous children in the market.
Jesus dines with a Pharisee. Mary Magdalene washes Jesus’ feet with oil and her hair. Jesus forgives Mary Magdalene’s sins. The Pharisee is outraged because only God can forgive sin.
Study Type: Adult Lesson
Study intended for sharing in a small fellowship or class of adults
John the Baptist sends messengers to Jesus asking, “Are you the Coming One or do we look for another?” Jesus responds by listing the miracles He has performed, then goes on to say that no other man is greater than John the Baptist.
Jesus heals the servant of a Centurion saying He hasn’t seen such faith even in Israel.
Jesus raises the son of a widow from Nain from the dead.
Jesus decries hypocrisy with the illustration of the speck in our brother’s eye versus the plank in our own.
He goes on to say that a tree is known by its fruit – a bad tree can’t produce good fruit and vice versa.
The passage concludes with the parable of the man who built his house on sand versus the one who built on the rock.
Jesus makes a brief statement about rewards to those who give generously. We explore how this teaching has been abused by those who wish only to “fleece the flock.” We also explore Jesus’ admonition against ostentatious giving – “don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”
Jesus teaches the Golden Rule. He teaches that we are to love our enemies and to show mercy just as we also have been shown mercy.
We conclude with a discussion of how Jesus’ admonition to “Judge not…” has been misunderstood and abused.
Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, to pray for those who wrong us, and to give sacrificially to those in need expecting nothing in return.
Jesus teaches of coming woes to those who are rich, well-fed, joyful, and well-liked – the converses of the blessings (beatitudes) He pronounced on those who are suffering in the previous verses.
Jesus heals many, and then pronounces blessings (beatitudes) upon those who are suffering.