The Lord of the Sabbath
(Mark 2:23–28; Luke 6:1–5)

1At that time as Jesus pass'd through the corn on the sabbath day, his disciples being hungry, pluck'd the ears of corn, and fell to eating. 2the Pharisees seeing that, said to him, see, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath-day. 3he answer'd them, have ye not read what David and the rest of the company did when they were hungry, 4how he entred into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which it was not lawful either for him or his company to eat, but only for the priests? 5or have ye not observed in the law, what a work the priests made in the temple on the sabbath-day, without being blamed? 6now I tell you, that the work now in hand, is of greater consequence than that of the temple. 7if ye had known the meaning of that expression, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice," ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

8for the sabbath is subservient to men.

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
(Mark 3:1–6; Luke 6:6–11)

9At his departure thence, he went into their synagogue. 10where they brought a man with a withered hand: and asked him this insnaring question, is it lawful to heal on the sabbath-day? 11and he answer'd, which of you all that should have one of his sheep fall into a pit on the sabbath-day, would not bestir himself, and lift it out? 12is not a man of much greater consequence than a sheep? how lawful then is it to do good offices on the sabbath-day? 13then saith he to the man, stretch out thy hand: and be stretched it out; and it was made as sound as the other. 14Upon this the Pharisees went out of the synagogue, and form'd a conspiracy against his life.

God’s Chosen Servant

15but Jesus perceiving their design, withdrew himself thence, accompany'd by great multitudes, and he healed all their sick, 16charging them not to discover him. 17so that what was said by Esaias the prophet, was fulfill'd;

18"behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew justice to the nations.

19he shall not strive, nor cry, neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

20a bruised reed shall he not break, and smoaking flax shall he not quench, till he hath made justice victorious.

21and in his name shall the Gentiles trust."

A House Divided
(Mark 3:20–27; Luke 11:14–23)

22Then they brought to him a demoniac, who was both blind and dumb: and he cured him so effectually, that he recovered both his speech and his sight; 23which made the people cry out with amazement, "Is not this the son of David?" 24but the Pharisees upon hearing this said, he exorcizes devils, by virtue only of Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

25Jesus perceiving what they surmized, said to them, any kingdom once divided against itself will soon be desolate: nor can any city or house divided against itself, long subsist. 26if satan expels satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom last? 27and if I by Beelzebub exorcize devils, by whom do your children exorcize them? wherefore even they shall be your judges. 28but if I exorcize devils by the spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is set up among you. 29besides, how could any one enter into the house of a man of might to rob him of his goods, except he first master the strong man? and then indeed he might plunder his house.

30"He that is not for me, is against me: and he that is not active for me, is a Deserter."

The Unpardonable Sin
(Mark 3:28–30)

31wherefore I declare to you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men; but blaspheming the holy Spirit 32shall not be forgiven them, and if any one speaks against the son of man, it may be forgiven him: but if any one speaks against the holy spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that to come.

Good and Bad Fruit
(Luke 6:43–45)

33Either allow the tree to be good, and its fruit good; or else say the tree is corrupt, and its fruit corrupt: for a tree is distinguished by its fruit. 34O degenerate race, how can ye, wicked as ye are, utter any thing that is good? for "'tis the overflowing of the heart that the mouth dischargeth." 35a good man out of the good treasure produces good things: and an evil man, out of the evil treasure, produces evil things. 36but I declare unto you, that men shall give an account at the day of judgment, of every scandalous expression they utter. 37for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

The Sign of Jonah
(Luke 11:29–32)

38Then certain of the Scribes and of the Pharisees said, master, we should be glad you would shew us some miracle. 39but he answered them, this wicked degenerate race demand a miracle; but no other miracle shall they have, except that of the prophet Jonas. 40for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly: so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41the men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment against this generation, and shall condemn it, because they were converted at the preaching of Jonas, and now there is one superiour to Jonas here. 42the queen of the south shall rise up at the day of judgement against this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the remote parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now a greater than Solomon is here.

An Unclean Spirit Returns
(Luke 11:24–26)

43When an unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he roams about the deserts, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44I will return then, says he, into my house, which I have quitted; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45then he goes and takes seven other spirits besides himself, but more mischievous than himself, and they all enter in and lodge there: so that the last state of that man is worse than the first, just so shall it likewise fare with this wicked generation.

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
(Mark 3:31–35; Luke 8:19–21)

46Now while he was talking to the people, his mother and his brothers stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47then some body said to him, your mother and your brothers are without, and desire to speak with you. 48but Jesus answered the man that told him, who is my mother? and who are my brothers? 49and holding out his hand towards his disciples, see there, said he, my mother, and my brothers. 50for whosoever shall do the will of my father, who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.