The Readable Bible: Matthew

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The Gospel of Matthew

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The Readable Bible

The Gospel of Matthew

Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah

Translated and Edited by Rodney S. Laughlin Brendan I. Kennedy, PhD

Birmingham, Alabama

The Readable Bible: Matthew

Iron Stream

An imprint of Iron Stream Media 100 Missionary Ridge Birmingham, AL 35242 www.ironstreammedia.com

Copyright © 2022 by Rodney S. Laughlin

The Readable Bible text may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic, or audio) up to and inclusive of five hundred verses without express written permission of the publisher provided that (a) the verses quoted do not account for more than 25 percent of the total work in which they are quoted, (b) no more than 25 percent of a book of the Bible is quoted, (c) all quotations conform accurately to The Readable Bible text, and (d) one of the following credit lines appears on the copyright page or title page of the work:

Scripture quotations marked TRB are taken from The Readable Bible®. Copyright © 2022 by Rodney S. Laughlin, Leawood, Kansas. Used by permission of Iron Stream Media.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from The Readable Bible®. Copyright © 2022 by Rodney S. Laughlin, Leawood, Kansas. Used by permission of Iron Stream Media.

When quotations from The Readable Bible text are used in not-for-sale media (e.g., church bulletins, orders of service, newsletters, digital presentations), a copyright notice is not required, but the initials “TRB” must appear at the end of each quotation. Websites and blogs may quote up to five hundred verses without express written permission provided they include the initials “TRB” at the end of each quotation and provided that the verses quoted account for not more than 25 percent of any web page upon which they appear and that no more than 25 percent of a book of the Bible is quoted.

Quotations not covered by the above guidelines must be approved in writing by Iron Stream Media. Send requests to info@ironstreammedia.com or to the address above.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022938636

Cover design: twoline | | Studio

Interior designer/illustrator: Clyde Adams (www.clydeadams.com)

Map geographic features courtesy of Bible Mapper (www.biblemapper.com).

Typeface: Veritas AE from Altered Ego Fonts, a division of Aespire

Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew

You Read

The Gospel of Matthew

Gospel Glossary

The Jewish Calendar

Familiar Verses in Matthew

People in Matthew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Subject Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Note on Spurious Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Note on Time References in the New Testament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

The Jewish Day 86

The Herod Family 87

The Festivals of the Lord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Weights and Measures in the Gospels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Note on Quotations of Old Testament Scripture

Note on Dates of Events

Temple

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

of the Magi

Joseph Ordered to Egypt

Herod Kills the Children

Joseph Ordered Back to Israel

Part 2. Jesus Begins His Ministry

Matthew 3

John the Baptist 5

Baptism of Jesus 5

4

Temptation of Jesus

Jesus Begins Preaching

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Jesus Heals the Sick

Part 3. The Sermon on the Mount

A. The Beatitudes: The Blessings of Belief

B. The Role of Believers: Salt and Light

C. The Behavior of Believers

Live a Righteous Life

Resolve Conflicts

5

Do Not Pass

Choose Where You Teach and Preach Carefully

Depend Upon God for What You Need

Summary Statement: The Golden Rule

D. Concluding Teachings 13

1. The Believer’s Life Is Difficult

Judge Other Prophets by Their Fruit

Build Your Life on Jesus’ Teachings

Part 4. Jesus’ Healing and Teaching Ministry

A Leper Is Cleansed . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8

. . .

14

A Centurion’s Faith 14

Jesus Heals Many 14

Cost of Discipleship 15

Jesus Calms a Storm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Matthew 9

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Jesus Calls Matthew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Jesus Is Asked About Fasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New Wine Belongs in New Wineskins 16

Jesus Heals Jairus’ Daughter and a Hemorrhaging Woman 17

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

. . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . .

Jesus Heals a Mute and Demon-Possessed Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Plentiful Harvest, Few Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

Table: The Twelve Apostles

10

for the Weary

of the Sabbath

Fulfills Isaiah’s Prophecy

Divided House Will Not

The Mouth Speaks out of the Heart

The Sign of Jonah

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

Matthew 13

Parable of the Sower 24

Why Jesus Spoke in Parables (Part 1)

Parable of the Sower Explained. . . . . . . . .

24

. . . . . . . 25

Table: Parable of the Sower Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Parable of the Weeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Parable of the Mustard Seed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Parable of the Leaven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Why Jesus Spoke in Parables (Part 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Parable of the Weeds Explained 26

Parable of the Hidden Treasure 27

Parable of the Pearl . . . . . .

Parable of the Net . . . . .

Parable of the Treasure Room

Prophet

Honor .

with a Demon Healed

The Temple Tax

34

Matthew 18

Whoever Humbles Himself Is Greatest 34

Parable of the Lost Sheep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35

Win Over a Brother Who Sins Against You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Parable of the Unforgiving Servant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Matthew 19

Divorce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Jesus Embraces the Little Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Possessions and Eternal Life 37

Matthew 20

Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard 38

Jesus Predicts His Death Again . . . .

Whoever Is Greatest Must Serve

Two Blind Men Receive Sight

Part 5. Passion Week

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Cleansing of the

Children Praise Jesus

Parable

21

Mourns

of the Temple Foretold

End of the Age

There Will Be Suffering

False Prophets Will Rise Up

The Universe Will Be Disrupted

How Jesus Will Return

Lesson from the Fig Tree 49 Believers Should Keep Alert

Matthew 25

Parable of the Ten Virgins

Parable of the Money

the Sheep from

to

Jesus

Anointed

Goats

the Garden of Gethsemane

Jesus Prays

Map: Jesus’ Last Two Days

Note: Where Did Jesus Walk? Where Was He Taken?

Table: Jesus’ Last Two Days 55 Jesus Arrested

Jesus’ Trial, Death, and Burial

Jesus Before the Jewish Leaders. . . .

Peter Denies Knowing Jesus

Judas Commits Suicide . . .

. . . . . . . .

.

Matthew 27

. . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

Jesus Before Pontius Pilate 58

Soldiers Mock Jesus . . . . . . . . . . .

The Crucifixion

Jesus’ Burial

. . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Resurrection

Part 6. Jesus’ Resurrection

28

The Guards’ Report and Deceit

The Great Commission

. . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Preface

To the Reader

One day I was standing in an airport bookstore looking for a book to read. I asked myself, “Why am I looking for something to read when I have a Bible in my briefcase?”

I answered, “The Bible is hard to read. I want to read something easier.” Then I asked myself, “Why is it so hard to read? You’re a seminary graduate, a former pastor, a Bible teacher!” Thus began a quest that has led to The Readable Bible—the Bible as it would look if Moses, Joshua, Matthew, Mark, Paul, and the other writers had been sitting in front of a computer when God spoke through them.

It seems to me that the Bible is hard to read because all material is presented in sentence format. Today we use tables to present census information and charts for genealogies. When we want something built, we draw up a specification document. Law codes are organized in outline form. We use bullet points, bold text, and other aids to help us grasp information. Yet in today’s Bibles, all the information is still presented in sentence format in plain text. Surely those men of old would have used modern formats if they had known about them when God spoke through them. Modern formatting does not change the information; it simply presents it in a way that makes it easier to grasp. The Readable Bible brings you the biblical text in modern formats.

You may struggle with the idea of Scripture in modern formats. Actually, all of today’s Bibles present the text in a form much different from that of the original manuscripts. Consider how many format changes that were developed over the past two thousand years led to the format considered normal today. Each change was radical in its time:

• Vowels: The earliest Hebrew manuscripts have no vowels; they were added hundreds of years later.

• Capital Letters: The Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament manuscripts have no uppercase and lowercase letters.

• Punctuation: The original manuscripts have no punctuation (no commas or periods!).

• Chapter Numbers: These were not common in Bibles until the thirteenth century AD.

• Verse Numbers: The first verse-numbering system was developed over a thousand years after the last Bible book was written. It had one-third of today’s verse numbers, making verses three or four times longer. Today’s Christian Bible numbering system was not developed until the sixteenth century.

• Paragraphs: The first paragraphed King James Bible was published in the mid-1800s.

So presenting the words of Scripture in tables, cascading the text of long, complex sentences, and using other modern formatting techniques is simply continuing the long-term trend of making the Bible easier to understand.

Our hope is that people who have never read the Bible will decide to read this version because it is so approachable. Please give a copy to someone who struggles to understand the Bible and, especially, to those who do not read the Bible.

Acknowledgments

My thanks to all the members of our editing team, our volunteer development team, and the many others who have donated funds and worked to bring The Readable Bible to completion.

A big “thank you” to my designer and partner in this project, Clyde Adams, for joining me in this faith venture. He has turned the translation into well-laid-out text and my formatting concepts into reality. The maps, tables, charts, book layout, and cover are all his work.

Most of all, I thank my wife, Rebecca, for her ideas, her love, and her strong support of this endeavor over the past twelve years.

Dedication

And now I dedicate to our Lord this translation of his holy Word, humbly asking him to grant that it may bring forth fruit to his glory and the building up of his people.

L

Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew

Matthew was a tax collector. In those days tax collectors had a minimum amount they had to collect for Rome, and they had a lot of leeway as to how they did it. So the tax collectors took whatever they could from whomever they could, and they were among the most hated of the local populace.

Surely the people around Jesus were surprised that he called such a person to follow him. And surely Matthew was most surprised of all. What could he have thought when he heard Jesus say, “Follow me”? When he sat down with Jesus that first night, he must have been amazed to think that, hearing the call of Jesus, he simply “got up and followed him.” And then he held a big banquet for Jesus—at his house, with “many tax collectors and sinners”!a

An outcast with lots of money, Matthew probably never imagined he would discover the road to heaven and, when he did, take it. His had been a life of getting, not letting go and giving. It is no wonder that we find the term “kingdom of heaven” in his gospel more than in any other book of the Bible.

Matthew wrote the longest account of Jesus’ life. As a tax collector, a man used to keeping records, he knew the record of his life with Jesus was more important than any of his business records. As you read, experience the wonder of Jesus as Matthew did. And remember, life with him is the most important life.

Before You Read

Before reading the text, please browse the glossary. You will find interesting information about words that appear frequently in this book, as well as important information regarding the words “Jesus” and “Christ.”

Words in italics are additions to the biblical text. Text enclosed in brackets is spurious—not in the oldest, most reliable manuscripts. Read “Note on Spurious Text” in the back of the book for more information.

Read lists in the text from top to bottom in the first column then the next column.

In the context of commands, rules, and regulations, “shall,” “must,” and “are/is” are equal terms, all with the same strength of command.

We encourage you to read “Translation Notes” and “Format and Presentation Notes” in the back of the book. They are easy reading and will increase your understanding of the text.

Remember, Jesus was and is Jewish. The disciples and the women around him were Jewish. So “Jews” in the text oftentimes refers not to all Jews but only to those who opposed Jesus.

Last of all, each time you sit down to read the good news of Jesus the Messiah, pray Lord,

open my eyes to see Jesus; open my mind to understand Jesus; open my will to obey Jesus; open my emotions to enjoy Jesus; open my whole being to trust that his death paid the price for my sin; and open my soul and spirit to serve Jesus as my Savior, my Lord.

a See Matthew 9:9–10 and Luke 5:28. In Luke’s and Mark’s Gospels and in Acts, Matthew is also known as Levi.

The Gospel of Matthew

The Good News About Jesus the Messiah

Reported by Matthew

Part 1. Jesus’ Childhood

Matthew 1

Genealogy of Jesus Through Joseph

1 This is the genealogical record of Jesus Christ,a the son of David, the son of Abraham.

There are b fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David to the deportation to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the exile to Christ.

2 Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah & 3 Tamar

Zerah Perez Hezron Ram

Amminadab

Nahshon

Salmon & 5 Rahab

Boaz & Ruth Obed Jesse

6 King David

King David

Solomon, by Bathsheba, the former wife of Uriah

Rehoboam Abijah Asa

Jehoshaphat Joram Uzziah

Jotham Ahaz Hezekiah

Manasseh Amos 11 Josiah

11 Josiah, the father of Jeconiahc and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile

12 Shealtield born after the Babylonian exile

Zerubbabel 13 Abiud Eliakim Azor

Zadok Akim Eliud

Eleazar Matthan Jacob

Joseph & Mary

Jesus, the Messiah

Generations

a Or “Jesus the Messiah.” See “Jesus” and “Christ” in the glossary. The genealogy in the Greek text begins with “Abraham” and says “father of” after each succeeding name. For example: “Abraham the father of Isaac, the father of Jacob.”

b Literally, “Thus all the generations are these.”

A.k.a. Jehoiachin.

A.k.a. Salathiel.

Birth of Jesus

18 The birth of Jesus Christ a took place as follows: Mary, his mother, was betrothedb to Joseph, but before they came together she was found to be pregnant byc the Holy Spirit. 19 Because her husband Joseph was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her,d he planned to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered this, to his surprise, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet Isaiah: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive e and bear a son, and the people will call him Immanuel”f (Hebrew meaning “God with us”).

24 Then Joseph woke up from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. He took Mary as his wife 25 and kept her a virgin g until she gave birth to a son. And he named him Jesus.

Matthew 2

Visit of the Magi

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea h in the days of King Herod the Great, surprisingly, magii from the east arrived in Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east j and have come to worship him.”

3 When King Herod heard this, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. 4 He gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Christ was to be born.

5 They replied, “In Bethlehem in Judea, for the prophet Micah wrote, 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem in Judah, are in no way least among Judah’s rulers, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”k

7 Then Herod secretly summoned the magi and learned from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, bring word back to me so that I too may come and worship him.”

9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. Amazingly, the star they had seen in the east went before them until it stood over the place where the child was.

a See “Jesus” and “Christ” in the glossary.

b Betrothal was a permanent pledge of marriage. It could only be broken by divorce or death.

c Literally, “found in the wound having by.”

d Literally, “make an example of her” or “expose her.”

e Literally, “will have in the womb.”

f See Isaiah 7:14.

g Literally, “and did not know her.”

h “Bethlehem in Judea”: a small village about six miles south of Jerusalem.

i “Magi”: a transliteration of a Persian word traditionally translated “wise men.” Magi were astrologers, priests, dream interpreters, and practitioners of other secret/mysterious arts.

j Or “when it rose.” And verse 9.

k See Micah 5:2.

10 When they saw the star there, they were jubilant.a 11 And when they came into the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary and fell down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.b 12 Then, having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by a different route.

Joseph Ordered to Egypt

13 And after they left, surprisingly, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt.c Stay there until I tell you to leave, because Herod is about to search for the child to kill him.”

14 So Joseph got up and took the child and his mother by night and left for Egypt. 15 He stayed there until Herod died. This was to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet Hosea: “I called my son out of Egypt.”d

Herod Kills the Children

16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he was furious, and based on the datese he learned from the magi, sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem two years old and younger. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,f weeping and mourning greatly. It is Rachel g weeping for her children. And she would not be comforted, because they were no more.”h

Joseph Ordered Back to Israel

19 After Herod the Great died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up; take the child and his mother and go back to Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up and took the child and his mother to Israel.

22 But when Joseph heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod the Great, he was afraid to go there. And having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee i 23 and went and lived in a town called Nazareth . j This was to fulfill what had been said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

a Literally, “they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”

b “Frankincense and myrrh”: fragrant plant resins (dried sap) used in anointing oil, perfumes, and incense. Myrrh was also used as a pain reliever. Sometimes it was more valuable than gold.

c A trip of about 250 miles.

d See Hosea 11:1.

e Literally, “according to the time.”

f “Ramah”: a town about six miles north of Jerusalem.

g Rachel, buried near Bethlehem, is used as a metaphor for the mothers of the slain children.

h See Jeremiah 31:15.

i “Herod Archelaus”: the son of Herod the Great. He ruled the southern region, Judea, from 6 BC until 4 BC with great cruelty (once killing more than two thousand Pharisees). So Joseph settled in the north, Galilee.

j “Nazareth”: a small village in the hills about eighteen miles west of the south end of the Sea of Galilee.

Part 2. Jesus Begins His Ministry

John the Baptist

1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the Judean wilderness,a 2 saying, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3 John was the one the prophet Isaiah spoke of when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ”b

4 Now John wore a camel-hair garmentc and a leather belt around his waist. And his food was grasshoppersd and wild honey. 5 People from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all around the region of the Jordan went out to see him. 6 And as they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to the place of his baptism, he rebuked them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit consistent with repentance. 9 And do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 10 The ax is already aimede at the root of the trees. Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But he who is coming after me is mightier than I am, a person whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing forkf is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clear his threshing floor, gather his wheat into the barn, and burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you! Yet you come to me?”

15 Jesus answered, “Let it be this way now. It’s right for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”

So John consented. 16 After Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up out of the water. Amazingly, the heavens g opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on him. 17 To everyone’s surprise, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

a The Judean wilderness is the eastern slope of the Judea Mountains. John may have been just north of where the Jordan River enters the Dead Sea.

b See Isaiah 40:3.

c “Camel-hair garment”: the clothing of a poor man.

d “Grasshoppers”: normally rendered on English translations as “locusts,” the term for grasshoppers in their swarming stage.

e Literally, “laid,” depicting a woodcutter laying his ax at his target before his stroke.

f “Winnowing fork”: a long-handled fork similar to a pitchfork used to throw wheat up into the air so the grains will separate from the chaff.

g Or “heaven” or “the sky.”

Temptation of Jesus

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Holy Spirit into the Judean wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting for forty days and nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘People shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”a

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, jump!b For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘ They will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ”c

7 Jesus replied, “Again, it is written: ‘Do not test the Lord your God.’ ” d

8 Next the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “I’ll give you all of this if you will fall down and worship me.”

10 Then Jesus replied, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ” e 11 Then the devil left him. Miraculously, angels came and were attending to him.

Jesus Begins Preaching

12 When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned,f he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Then after leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, by the Sea of Galilee g (in the region of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali) 14 so that what was said by Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, beyond the Jordan River on the road to the sea, in Galilee of the Gentiles,h 16 the people living i in darkness have seen a great light. A light has dawned on those living in the land of the shadow of death.”j

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.”

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

19 He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” k 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

a See Deuteronomy 8:3.

b Literally, “throw yourself down.”

c See Psalm 91:11–12.

d See Deuteronomy 6:16.

e See Deuteronomy 6:13.

f Literally, “had been handed over.”

g Literally, “lake.” See “Sea of Galilee” in the glossary.

h Galilee was traditionally Gentile, with a strong Gentile culture and a weak Jewish culture.

i Literally, “sitting.”

j See Isaiah 9:1–2.

k Literally, “I will cause you to become fishers of people.”

21

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in a boat mending their nets with their father Zebedee. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus Heals the Sick

23 Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom of heaven, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 News about him even spread throughout Syria. And they brought him all the sick—those having various diseases and oppressive pain, demon possession, epilepsy, and paralysis. And he healed them. 25 Large crowds followed him—people from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the region east of a the Jordan.

Part 3. The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5 A. The Beatitudes: The Blessings of Belief

1 One day, seeing the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down, his disciples came to him, 2 and he opened his mouth and began to teach them, saying:

3 “Blessedb are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the humble,c for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.d

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children e of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you when they insult you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because your reward in heaven is great, for that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

a Literally, “across from.”

b Or “Happy are.” And verses 4–11.

c Or “the meek.”

d Or “be filled.”

e Literally, “called sons.” Traditionally interpreted as meaning both males and females.

B. The Role of Believers: Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt becomes tasteless, how can it be made salty again? a It’s no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by people.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket; rather, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven.

C. The Behavior of Believers

1. Live a Righteous Life

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets;b I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill their requirements.c 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or mark d will disappear from the law until all is accomplished.e 19 Therefore anyone who dismisses f one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But anyone who obeys and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 Indeed, I am telling you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will absolutely not enter the kingdom of heaven.

2. Resolve Conflicts

21 “You have heard that older generations were told,g ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother will be subject to judgment. Again, whoever insults h their brother shall be brought before i the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool! ’ shall be liable to hell’s fire. j

23 “So if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and while you are there, you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your offering in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother or sister, then come and offer your offering.

a Or “with what will it be salted.”

b “The law of Moses”: the laws God gave to Moses recorded in the first five books of the Bible. “The writings of the prophets”: the four major and twelve minor prophets, the historical books, and the Psalms.

c Literally, “but to fulfill them.” Jesus fulfilled the law in three ways: He met, demonstrated, and explained its requirements.

d Literally, “not one iota or keraia.” “Iota” is the Greek letter “i,” often written as a tiny stroke beneath another letter. A keraia is a small, hooked stroke, like an apostrophe.

e Or “all comes to pass” or “all comes into existence.”

f Or “annuls.”

g Literally, “the ancient ones were told.” And verse 33. See Exodus 20:13.

h Literally, “says raca,” an Aramaic crude insult. The word comes from a word that means “empty.”

i Or “be subject to.”

j Literally, “the Gehenna of fire.” Gehenna (from the Hebrew, ge hinnom, meaning “Valley of Hinnom”) was a low place just outside the southern wall of ancient Jerusalem. Once a place of idolatrous sacrifices, it was a burning dump in the time of Jesus.

25 “Settle disputes quickly witha your adversary on the way to court, so your accuser will not hand you over to the judge, the judge hand you over to the guard, and you get thrown into prison. 26 I’m telling you the truth: You won’t get out until you’ve paid the last cent.b

3. Avoid Temptation

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ c 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman in order to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it’s better to lose one part of your body d than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it’s better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

4. Do Not Divorce

31 “It’s been said that, ‘Anyone who divorces e his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ f 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman g commits adultery.

5. Tell the Truth

33 “Again, you have heard that those of old were told, ‘Do not swear an oath falsely’;h rather, you are to fulfill the vows you’ve made i to the Lord.

34 “But I say to you, do not swear an oath at all: not by heaven, for it’s God’s throne; 35 nor by earth, for it’s his footstool; j nor by Jerusalem, for it’s the city of the great King.

36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair black or white.

37 “Simply let your ‘Yes’ truly mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ truly mean ‘No.’ k Anything more than this is from the evil one.

a Literally, “Become friendly quickly with.”

b “Cent”: a kodrantes, the smallest Greek coin. About two hours’ wages for an unskilled worker.

c See Exodus 20:14.

d Literally, “one of your members.” And verse 30.

e Literally, “who sets free.” And verse 32.

f See Deuteronomy 24:1.

g Literally, “a set-free woman.”

h See Leviticus 19:12.

i Literally, “fulfill your vows.”

j See Isaiah 66:1.

k

Literally, “let your answer be yes, yes, no, no.”

6. Meet Evil with Love

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’a 39 But I say to you, don’t even resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to them also. 40 If someone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give them your cloak also. 41 If anyone forces you to go a mile with them,b go two. 42 Give to anyone who asks you and don’t turn away from whoever wants to borrow from you.

7. Love Everyone

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ c 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you 45 so that you will be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Don’t even the Gentiles do that? 48 Therefore you are to be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.d

6 Matthew

8. Do Not Make a Show of Your Righteousness

1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

a. Give to the Poor Secretly

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets so that people will honor them. I’m telling you the truth: They have their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And then your Father, who sees what you’ve done in secret, will reward you.

b. Pray Secretly and Meaningfully

5 “And when you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray while standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so they can be seen by men. I’m telling you the truth: They have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is there, though unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

7 “When you pray, don’t use meaningless repetitions like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Therefore pray like this:

a See Exodus 21:24.

b Roman soldiers had the authority to make a civilian carry their loads one mile, no farther.

c See Leviticus 19:18. Many Jewish teachers taught “hate your enemy” as though it were part of the law.

d See Leviticus 19:2.