The Parable of the Vineyard Workers

1"For the Kingdom of the Heavens is like an employer who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard, 2and having made an agreement with them for a shilling a day, sent them into his vineyard. 3About nine o'clock he went out and saw others loitering in the market-place. 4To these also he said, "'You also, go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' 5"So they went. Again about twelve, and about three o'clock, he went out and did the same. 6And going out about five o'clock he found others loitering, and he asked them, "'Why have you been standing here all day long, doing nothing?' 7"'Because no one has hired us,' they replied. "'You also, go into the vineyard,' he said.

8"When evening came, the master said to his steward, "'Call the men and pay them their wages. Begin with the last set and finish with the first.' 9"When those came who had begun at five o'clock, they received a shilling apiece; 10and when the first came, they expected to get more, but they also each got the shilling. 11So when they had received it, they grumbled against the employer, saying, 12"'These who came last have done only one hour's work, and you have put them on a level with us who have worked the whole day and have borne the scorching heat.' 13"'My friend,' he answered to one of them, 'I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a shilling? 14Take your money and go. I choose to give this last comer just as much as I give you. 15Have I not a right to do what I choose with my own property? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16"So the last shall be first, and the first last."

Third Prediction of Death, Resurrection

(Mark 10:32-34)

17Jesus was now going up to Jerusalem, and He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, 18"We are going up to Jerusalem, and there the Son of Man will be betrayed to the High Priests and Scribes. They will condemn Him to death, 19and hand Him over to the Gentiles to be made sport of and scourged and crucified; and on the third day He will be raised to life."

A Mother's Request

(Mark 10:35-45)

20Then the mother of the sons of Zabdi came to Him with her sons, and knelt before Him to make a request of Him. 21"What is it you desire?" He asked. "Command," she replied, "that these my two sons may sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your Kingdom." 22"None of you know what you are asking for," said Jesus; "can you drink out of the cup from which I am about to drink?" "We can," they replied. 23"You shall drink out of my cup," He said, "but a seat at my right hand or at my left it is not for me to allot, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."

24The other ten heard of this, and their indignation was aroused against the two brothers. 25But Jesus called them to Him, and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26Not so shall it be among you; but whoever desires to be great among you shall be your servant, 27and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant; 28just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as the redemption-price for many."

Two Blind Men Receive Sight

(Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43)

29As they were leaving Jericho, an immense crowd following Him, 30two blind men sitting by the roadside heard that it was Jesus who was passing by, and cried aloud, "Sir, Son of David, pity us." 31The people angrily tried to silence them, but they cried all the louder. "O Sir, Son of David, pity us," they said. 32So Jesus stood still and called to them. "What shall I do for you?" He asked. 33"Sir, let our eyes be opened," they replied. 34Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.