Jesus’ Authority Challenged
(Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33)

1And it came to pass, that, on one of those days, while he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came to him, 2and spoke to him, saying: Tell us by what authority you do these things? or, who is he that gave you this authority? 3And he answered and said to them: I also will ask you one thing, and do you answer me. 4Was the immersion of John from heaven, or from men? 5And they reasoned among themselves, saying: If we say, From heaven, he will reply: Why, then, did you not believe him? 6But if we say, From men, all the people will stone us; for they believe that John was a prophet. 7And they answered, that they knew not whence it was. 8And Jesus said to them: Nor 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 this parable to the people: A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to vine-dressers, and was absent from home for a long time. 10And at the proper sea son, he sent a servant to those vine-dressers, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vine-dressers scourged him, and sent him away empty-handed. 11And he then sent another servant. But they scourged him also, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12And he also sent a third; but they wounded him, and drove him out. 13And the owner of the vineyard said: What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps, when they see him, they will reverence him. 14But when the vine-dressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying: This is the heir; come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15And they drove him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16He will come and destroy these vine-dressers, and will give his vine yard to others.And when they heard it, they said: Be it not so!

17And he looked on them and said: What, then, does this mean, which is written, The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner?

18Whoever shall fall on this stone, shall be dashed to pieces; but on whomever it shall fall, it will make him as chaff for the wind.

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; (and yet they feared the people;) for they knew that he spoke this parable against them. 20And they watched him, and sent spies, who feigned themselves to be just men, that they might take hold of his words, in order to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor. 21And they asked him, saying: Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and do not regard the person of any, but teach the way of God in truth. 22Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 23But he perceived their cunning, and said to them: Why do you tempt me?

24Show me a denarius. Whose image and superscription has it? They answered and said: Caesar's. 25He said to them: Give, therefore, to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. 26And they were not able to take hold of his words before the people. And they were astonished at his answer, and were silent.

The Sadducees and the Resurrection
(Matthew 22:23–33; Mark 12:18–27)

27Then there came to him some of the Sadducees, (these deny that there is any resurrection,) and asked him, 28saying: Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up children for his brother. 29There were, therefore, seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died without children; 30and the second took his wife, and he died without children; 31and the third took her; and in like manner also the seven; and they left no children, and died. 32Last of all, the woman also died. 33Therefore, in the resurrection, of which of them shall she be the wife? for the seven had her as a wife.

34And Jesus answered and said to them: The children of this age marry, and are given in marriage. 35But those who shall be accounted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage. 36For they can die no more; for they are like the angels, and are the sons of God, being the sons of the resurrection. 37But: that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at The Bush, since he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38He is not a God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him. 39And certain of the scribes answered and said: Teacher, thou hast answered well. 40And after this they durst not ask him any question at all.

Whose Son Is the Christ?
(Matthew 22:41–46; Mark 12:35–37)

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

42Even David himself says, in the book of Psalms: The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,

43till I make thy enemies thy footstool. 44David, therefore, calls him Lord; and how is he his son?

Beware of the Scribes
(Mark 12:38–40)

45And while all the people were listening, he said to his disciples:

46Beware of the scribes, who delight to walk in robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the first seats in the synagogues, and the first places at suppers; 47who eat up the houses of widows, and, for a pretext, make long prayers. These shall receive the greater condemnation.