Jesus' Authority Challenged

(Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33)

1And it came to pass that on one of the days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes, with the ancients, met together, 2And spoke to him, saying: Tell us, by what authority dost thou these things? Or, who is he that hath given thee this authority? 3And Jesus answering, said to them: I will also ask you one thing. Answer me: 4The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? 5But they thought within themselves, saying: If we shall say, From heaven: he will say: Why then did you not believe in him? 6But if we say, of men: the whole people will stone us. For they are persuaded that John was a prophet. 7And they answered that they knew not whence it was. 8And Jesus said to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

(Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12)

9And he began to speak to the people this parable: A certain man planted a vineyard and let it out to husbandmen: and he was abroad for a long time. 10And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard. Who, beating him, sent him away empty. 11And again he sent another servant. But they beat him also and, treating him reproachfully, sent him away empty. 12And again he sent the third: and they wounded him also and cast him out. 13Then the lord of the vineyard said: What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. It may be, when they see him, they will reverence him. 14Whom, when the husbandmen saw, they thought within themselves, saying: This is the heir. Let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15So casting him out of the vineyard, they killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them? 16He will come and will destroy these husbandmen and will give the vineyard to others. Which they hearing, said to him: God forbid.

17But he looking on them, said: What is this then that is written, The stone, which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

18Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be bruised: and upon whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Paying Taxes to Caesar

(Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17)

19And the chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him the same hour: but they feared the people, for they knew that he spoke this parable to them. 20And being upon the watch, they sent spies, who should feign themselves just, that they might take hold of him in his words, that they might deliver him up to the authority and power of the governor. 21And they asked him, saying: Master, we know that thou speakest and teachest rightly: and thou dost not respect any person, but teachest the way of God in truth. 22Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or no? 23But he, considering their guile, said to them: Why tempt you me? 24Shew me a penny. Whose image and inscription hath it? They answering, said to him: Caesar's. 25And he said to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things, that are Caesar's: and to God the things that are God's. 26And they could not reprehend his word before the people: and wondering at his answer, they held their peace.

Sadducees Question the Resurrection

(Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27)

27And there came to him some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is any resurrection: and they asked him, 28Saying: Master, Moses wrote unto us: If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he leave no children, that his brother should take her to wife and raise up seed unto his brother. 29There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife and died without children. 30And the next took her to wife: and he also died childless. 31And the third took her. And in like manner, all the seven: and they left no children and died. 32Last of all the woman died also. 33In the resurrection therefore, whose wife of them shall she be? For all the seven had her to wife.

34And Jesus said to them: The children of this world marry and are given in marriage: 35But they that shall be accounted worthy of that world and of the resurrection from the dead shall neither be married nor take wives. 36Neither can they die any more for they are equal to the angels and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 37Now that the dead rise again, Moses also shewed at the bush, when he called the Lord: The God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38For he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him. 39And some of the scribes answering, said to him: Master, thou hast said well. 40And after that they durst not ask him any more questions.

Whose Son is the Christ?

(Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37)

41But he said to them: How say they that Christ is the son of David?

42And David himself saith in the book of Psalms: The Lord said to my Lord, sit thou on my right hand,

43Till I make thy enemies thy footstool. 44David then calleth him Lord. And how is he his son?

Beware of the Scribes

(Mark 12:38-40)

45And in the hearing of all the people, he said to his disciples: 46Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes and love salutations in the market place and the first chairs in the synagogues and the chief rooms at feasts: 47Who devour the houses of widows, feigning long prayer. These shall receive greater damnation.