HOME | About | Surprise! | More ≡

The Gospels of Jesus Christ
by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
The original, squashed down to read in about 55 minutes


The 'Rylands Fragment', possibly all that survives of an original Gospel manuscript.
(c70 to 200 CE?)



After the execution of the Jewish religious teacher Jesus of Nazareth (known to his followers as the 'Christ' - the 'Anointed One'), many biographies appeared. More than a dozen of these 'Gospels' (Greek for 'Good News') are still known, though the council of Christians held at Rome in 382, under their leader, Pope Damasus, settled on just four; the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to form, along with the Torah, the centrepieces of the Christian Bible.

For many centuries reading the Gospels was 'for learned persons only'. William Tyndale's vernacular translation which he hoped might "cause the boy that drives the plough in England to know more of the Scriptures than the Pope himself", brought him the reward of being strangled and burned at the stake in 1536. Even now, they can be surprising, for the Jesus described here, by his near-contemporaries, is a more radical and complex character than the simple rabbi of popular devotion.

Based on the 1616 'King James' translation, substantially based on Tyndale's of 1535. Abridged: GH.



The Gospels of Jesus Christ


John 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

Luke 1 {5} In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias, and his wife, who were stricken in years yet had no child. And it came to pass that an angel of the Lord appeared saying, I am Gabriel. Fear not, Zacharias: thy wife shall bear thee a son, and thus his wife Elisabeth conceived. {26} And in the sixth month, Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to Mary, a virgin espoused to Joseph. And the angel said, Hail, blessed art thou among women. Thou shalt conceive and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? {35} And the angel answered; The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee; for thy cousin Elisabeth hath also conceived. With God nothing shall be impossible. {46} And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord. {57} Now Elisabeth's time came and she brought forth a son. And they called his name John.

Luke 2 And it came to pass, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph went into Bethlehem with Mary, being great with child. And there she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. And in that same country the angel of the Lord came upon shepherds, saying, Fear not: I bring you good tidings of great joy, for unto you is born this day a Saviour, Christ the Lord. And they found the babe, and they made known abroad that which was told them.

Matthew 2 Now when Jesus was born, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. And Herod the king enquired of them, saying, Go and search diligently for the child, that I may worship him also. {9} And, lo, the star went over where the young child was. And they were come into the house, and saw the child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. {13} And when they were departed, behold, an angel appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the child and his mother, and flee. And they departed into Egypt. {16} And Herod was exceeding wroth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, from two years old and under. {19} But when Herod was dead, they arose, and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth.

Luke 2 {21} And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising, his name was called JESUS and they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord. {42} And, again, when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem for the feast. And, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it supposing him to be in the company. And when they turned back again they found him in the temple, in the midst of the doctors, asking questions such that all were astonished. {52} And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature.

Luke 3 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness, he preaching baptism of repentance, as it is written in the book of Esaias saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. And John said, I baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. {19} But Herod the tetrarch, had shut up John in prison. {21} Now it came to pass, that Jesus was baptized of John, and the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

Luke 4 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days fasting and tempted of the devil. And the devil said, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone be made bread, and Jesus answered, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the devil shewed unto him the kingdoms of the world, saying, All this will I give thee, if thou wilt worship me. And Jesus answered, Get thee behind me, Satan. {14} And Jesus returned into Galilee. And in Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day to preach the gospel. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? And he said unto them, Verily, no prophet is accepted in his own country. And they were filled with wrath, and rose up, and thrust him out of the city.

John 2 And there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and Jesus was called, and his disciples. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith, Woman, mine hour is not yet come. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, and Jesus saith unto the servants, Fill the waterpots with water. And he saith, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: he called the bridegroom, saying, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory.

Luke 4 {31} And in Capernaum, he taught them, and they were astonished at his doctrine. {33} And in the synagogue there was a man which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, saying, Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? Thou Holy One of God. And Jesus threw the devil out of him. And they were all amazed, and the fame of him went out into every place round about. {40} Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

Luke 5 And it came to pass that he taught the people out of the ship belonging to Simon, upon the lake of Gennesaret. And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets. And Simon said, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless I will let down the net. And they were astonished, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken. And Jesus said unto them, From henceforth thou shalt catch men. And they forsook all, and followed him. And much went fame abroad of him, and great multitudes came to hear, and to be healed. {17} And when he was teaching, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy. And, because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. {21} And the scribes and the Pharisees said; Who speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But Jesus answered, Know ye that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, and unto the sick of the palsy, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. And he rose up, glorifying God. {27} And after these things one Levi, who was a publican, made him a great feast in his own house with a company of publicans and others. But the scribes and Pharisees murmured, saying, Why do ye eat with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answered, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 6 And it came to pass on the sabbath that his disciples plucked ears of corn in the fields, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. And certain Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful on sabbath days? And Jesus answered, Have ye not read that king David, when hungred, even went into the house of God, and did eat the holy bread? And it came to pass on another sabbath, that he entered the synagogue and there was a man whose hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good, or evil? to save life, or to destroy it? And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand, and his hand was restored whole. And it came to pass that he went into a mountain to pray all night. And when it was day, he called unto him twelve disciples, whom he named apostles; Simon, (also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, the traitor. {22} And the whole multitude of Judaea and Jerusalem sought him out. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep: for ye shall laugh. Your reward is great in heaven, but woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. {26} I say unto you, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? But do good, and your reward shall be great. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you. {39} And he spake a parable; Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? And why beholdest thou the mote in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam in thine own eye?

Luke 7 Now he entered Capernaum. And healed a certain centurion's beloved servant. {36} And he went into a Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, a sinner, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet, and began to wash his feet with tears, and anointed them with the ointment. Now the Pharisee spake within himself, saying, if he were a prophet, he would know this woman is a sinner. And Jesus answered, saying, Simon, There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Tell me which of them will love him most? Simon answered, I suppose he to whom he forgave most. And he said, Thou rightly judged. Wherefore I say unto the woman, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

Luke 8 And he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits, Mary called Magdalene, and Joanna, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. {4} And he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and fowls devoured it. And some fell upon rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. Now; The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which hear the word, and keep it, and bring forth fruit. {19} Then came to him his mother and his brethren, desiring to see him. And he said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. {22} Now it came to pass that he went into a ship with his disciples: and there came down a storm. And they awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he rebuked the wind: and there was calm. And they being afraid wondered, What manner of man is this! {26} And at Gadarenes, by Galile, they met a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, and abode in the tombs. And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were in him. And Jesus bade the devils enter into a herd of swine feeding on the mountain, and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. And the man published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. {41} And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down before Jesus' that he would come into his house, for his only daughter lay a dying. But the people thronged him, and a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, came behind, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood staunched. And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And the woman came trembling, and he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. Then cometh one from Jairus' house, saying; Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But Jesus said; Fear not: believe only. And when he came into the house, he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her parents were astonished.

Luke 9 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases, and sent them to preach the kingdom of God. And he said, Take neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whosoever will not receive you, shake off the very dust of that city from your feet. {7} Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed. And Herod said, John have I now beheaded: but who is this? And he desired to see him. {10} And the apostles, went into a desert place, and the people followed: and he spake unto them of the kingdom of God. And when the day began to wear, he said, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have but five loaves and two fishes. And he took the loaves and the fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And all did eat, and were filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained, twelve baskets.

Mark 6 {45} And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side, while he sent away the people. And he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing, for the wind was against them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea. But when they all saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, saying, Be not afraid. And he went unto the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed beyond measure.

Matthew 16 {13} When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, Whom do men say that I am? And they said, Some say John the Baptist: some, Elias or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Christ. {24} Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Matthew 17 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John into an high mountain, and he was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. And, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

{24} And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter. Jesus saith unto him, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Luke 10 After these things the LORD appointed another seventy, and sent them two and two into every city and place. Saying, The harvest is great, but the labourers are few: Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Whatsoever city will receive you not, wipe even their dust off you, at the judgment it shall be more tolerable for Sodom1 than for that city. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. {25} And a certain lawyer tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? And he answered, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and thy neighbour as thyself, but who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which left him half dead. And there came a priest that way: and he passed by on the other side, and likewise a Levite. But a certain Samaritan saw him and had compassion, and bound up his wounds, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. Which now of these three was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do likewise.

Luke 11 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. {14} And he cast out a devil, and some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. But he said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

Luke 12 He said unto his disciples; Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. {14} Take heed, beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth, and like unto the rich farmer, thou knowest not when thy soul shall be required of thee. Therefore take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. {24} Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? {33} Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves with a treasure in the heavens, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. {49} I am come to send fire on the earth. Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: The father shall be divided against the son, the mother against the daughter.

Luke 14 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. And, behold, there was a man before him which had the dropsy, and he healed him. And Jesus spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath? And they could not answer him. {7} And he put forth a parable saying; when thou makest a dinner, call not thy friends, but call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. For I say unto you, not all that were bidden shall taste of my supper. If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 15 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. {3} And he spake this parable saying, What man, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one, doth not leave the ninety and nine, and go find that which is lost? Likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. {11} And he said, A certain man had two sons. And the younger said to his father, Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he was sent him into the fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat. And to himself he said, How many servants of my father's have bread enough to spare, and I perish with hunger! And he arose, and came to his father, and said unto him, Father, I have sinned, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, bring hither the fatted calf, let us eat, and be merry: for this my son is found. Now his elder son was angry, saying; Father, these many years do I serve thee, yet thou never gavest me such: And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. Be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Luke 16 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward who he accused that he had wasted his goods. And he called him to give account. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do when I am put out of this stewardship, that others may receive me? So he called his lord's debtors, and said unto the first, How much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And the steward said, Take thy bill, and and write fifty. Then to another, for an hundred measures of wheat, write fourscore. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. So I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. {19} There was a rich man and there was a beggar named Lazarus. And the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried, Father Abraham, have mercy, send Lazarus with water, for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Luke 17 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times say, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. {11} And he entered into a village of Samaria, and there cleansed ten lepers. And one of them glorified God, and fell down on his face, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus said, Were not ten cleansed? where are the nine? Only this stranger returned to give glory to God. Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. {20} And the Pharisees asked when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them; The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Luke 18 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, Saying, {10} Two men went into the temple to pray; one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee prayed, God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, adulterers, even as this publican. I fast twice in the week and I give tithes. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you: every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. {15} And they brought unto him also infants, and Jesus said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. {18} And a certain ruler asked him, Good Master, how shall I inherit eternal life? And Jesus said, if thou follow the commandments, yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was rich. It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. {31} Then said unto the twelve, We go to Jerusalem, and as the prophets have written concerning the Son of man, he shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and put to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things.

Luke 19 And Jesus passed through Jericho. And Zacchaeus the chief publican, sought to see Jesus and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. Therefore he climbed into a sycomore tree, and when Jesus came, he looked up, and said, Zacchaeus, come down, for to day I must abide at thy house. {11} And he spake a parable, because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said, A certain nobleman was called into a far country, and he delivered to his servants each ten pounds, saying, Occupy till I come. And when he returned, the one said; Lord, thy pound hath earned ten. And another sayeth, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said to them; Good servants. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin; And he saith, thou wicked servant, wherefore gavest not thou my money into the bank, that I might have gained usury? Take from him the one pound, and give it to him that hath ten. {26} For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. {27} And those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. And when he had thus spoken, he came nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, and sent two of his disciples, saying, Go ye into the village, ye shall find a colt tied, and bring him hither. And they found even as he had said: and they set Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way and he came into Jerusalem. {45} And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, saying, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and scribes sought to destroy him, but all the people were very attentive to hear him.

Luke 20 And it came to pass as he taught the people in the temple, the chief priests spake unto him, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? And he answered, I will also ask you one thing; The baptisms of John, was it from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned, If we say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? But if we say, Of men; the people will stone us: for they hold John a prophet. And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. And Jesus said, Neither then do I tell you by what authority I do these things. {9} Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went away. And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, for the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. And he sent another servant, and again a third. Then said the lord of the vineyard, I will send my beloved son: they will reverence him. But when the husbandmen saw him, they saw their inheritence, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do? He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. {17} And he said, It is written, The stone which the builders rejected, is become the cornerstone. {19} And they asked him, Master, is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar? But he said, Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? Therefore render unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. And they marvelled at his answer. {27} Then came certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and asked, Master, Moses wrote, If any man die, his brother should take his wife. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife is she? And Jesus answered, They which obtain the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God. Then they durst not ask him any more.

Luke 21 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury, and also a certain poor widow casting in two mites. And he said, Truly, this poor widow hath cast in more than all: for she hath cast in all her living. {5} And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, All these things will one day be thrown down. And they asked him, When shall these things be? And he said, Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; go ye not after them. Ye shall hear of wars and commotions, nation shall rise against nation, great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs from heaven. And they shall persecute you for my name's sake. Settle not to meditate before ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and kinsfolks, and friends; And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. And there shall be great distress in the land: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Watch ye therefore, and pray always.

Luke 22 Then entered Satan into Judas Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him, and they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. {7} Then came the day of unleavened bread. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover. Enter in the city and get you to an upper room furnished. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. {31} And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, and he replied, Lord, I am ready to go with thee unto death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny me. {35} And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. {39} And he went out, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples followed. And he was withdrawn from them and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me. And there appeared an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And his sweat was as drops of blood. And, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. But Jesus touched his ear, and healed him. And then took they him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. But a certain maid beheld Peter, saying; This man was also with him. And he denied it. And another said so, and another, yet Peter denied it. And while he yet spake, the cock crew, and Peter wept bitterly. {63} And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And as soon as it was day, the elders and the chief priests and scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Art thou the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. And they said, What need we further witness? for we have heard of his own mouth.

Matthew 27 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, repented himself, and brought his thirty pieces of silver to the temple, saying; I have betrayed innocent blood, and departed, and went and hanged himself. {11} And they brought Jesus before Pontius Pilate the governor: and the governor asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. {15} Now at that feast the governor was wont to release a prisoner. Therefore when the people were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask for one Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. And the governor said, What evil hath he done? But they cried out, Let him be crucified. {24} When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person. {26} Then released he Barabbas: and scourged Jesus, and delivered him to be crucified. And the soldierrs stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And they platted a crown of thorns, and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! {32} And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull. And they crucified him, and parted his garments among them by casting lots. And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, saying, If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. {45} Now there was darkness over all the land and about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And Jesus yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain; and the earth did quake; And the graves were opened; and many saints which slept arose. Now when the centurion watching Jesus saw those things, he said, Truly this was the Son of God. {57} When the even was come Joseph of Arimathaea went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And Joseph had the body wrapped in clean linen, and laid it in a new tomb hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door, and departed.

Luke 24 Now upon the first day of the week Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James came unto the sepulchre, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen. And they returned unto the eleven. {11} But their words seemed as idle tales. Then Peter ran unto the sepulchre; and beheld the grave clothes. And two disciples went that day to a village called Emmaus. And Jesus himself drew near, and went with them, but they knew him not. And at the village, they said, take meat with us. And he took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished from their sight. {24} And they returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And as they spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said, Behold my hands and my feet: handle me, and see. Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them.

Matthew 28 {11} ... some of the watchmen came into the city, and told these things unto the chief priests {12} and the elders took counsel and they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. [15] So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

John 20 {22} And he breathed on them, saying; Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. {24} But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Behold my hands; and reach thy hand into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas said unto him, My LORD and my God. Jesus saith: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Luke 24 {44} And he said unto them, All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the prophets concerning me. And ye are witnesses of these things. And he led them out, and lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And he was carried up into heaven. And they were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

MORE FROM The Hundred Books...

Surprise A Christmas Carol A Study in Scarlet A Voyage to the Moon Aesop's Fables Alice in Wonderland An English Opium-Eater Anna Karenina Antarctic Journals Arabian Nights Aristotle's Ethics Barnaby_Rudge Beowulf Beyond Good and Evil Bleak House Book of the Dead Caesar's Commentaries Crime and Punishment Dalton's Chemical Philosophy David Copperfield Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Descartes' Meditations Dombey and Son Don Quixote Dulce et Decorum Est Einstein's Relativity Elements of Geometry Fairy Tales Father Goriot Frankenstein Gilgamesh Great Expectations Gulliver's Travels Hamlet Hard Times Heart of Darkness History of Tom Jones I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud If - Ivanhoe Jane Eyre Jekyll and Mr Hyde Kant Lady Chatterley's Lover Le Morte D'Arthur Le Repertoire de La Cuisine Les Miserables Little Dorrit Lysistrata Martin Chuzzlewit Meditations Metamorphosis Micrographia Moby-Dick My Confession Newton's Natural Philosophy Nicholas Nickleby Notebooks Of Miracles On Liberty On Old Age On The Social Contract On War Our Mutual Friend Paradise Lost Pepys' Diary Philosophy in The Boudoir Piers Plowman Pilgrims Progress Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect Pride and Prejudice Principles of Human Knowledge Principles of Morals and Legislation Psychoanalysis Revolutions of the Celestial Orbs Robinson Crusoe Romeo and Juliet Songs of Innocence and Experience Sorrows of Werther Sovran Maxims Tale of Two Cities Tess of the d'Urbervilles The Advancement of Learning The Adventures of Oliver Twist The Analects The Ballad of Reading Gaol The Bhagavad-Gita The Canterbury Tales The Communist Manifesto The Confessions The Decameron The Divine Comedy The Gospels of Jesus Christ The Great Gatsby The Histories The Life of Samuel Johnson The Magna Carta The Motion of the Heart and Blood The Odyssey The Old Curiosity Shop The Origin of Species The Pickwick Papers The Prince The Quran The Remembrance of Times Past The Republic The Rights of Man The Rights of Woman The Rime of the Ancient Mariner The RubaiyƔt Of Omar Khayyam The Torah The Travels of Marco Polo The Wealth of Nations The Wind in the Willows Three Men in a Boat Tom Brown's Schooldays Tristram Shandy Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Ulysses Uncle Tom's Cabin Utopia Voyages of Discovery Walden Wilhelm Meister Wuthering Heights
   glyn@thehundredbooks.com

COPYRIGHT and ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: © Glyn Hughes 2022
BUILT WITH WHIMBERRY