The Parable of the Banquet
(Luke 14:15–24)

1And Jesus continued to speak to them in parables, and said,

2the kingdom of the Messiah is such, as when a certain king made a wedding-feast for his son. 3he sent out his servants to call those that were invited to the wedding: but they would not come. 4then he sent out other servants, saying, tell those who are invited, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and every thing is ready: come to the entertainment. 5but instead of showing any regard, they went their ways, one to his farm, another to his traffick. 6others seiz'd his servants, outrageously abused them, and slew them. 7when the king was informed of this, he was greatly incensed, and having order'd his forces to march, he put those murderers to death, and laid their city in ashes. 8then he said to his servants, the feast is ready, but they who were invited were very unworthy. 9go therefore into the high streets, and as many as ye find, invite to the marriage: 10accordingly they went about the streets, and assembled all they met indifferently, both good and bad: so that the hall was furnished with guests.

11but upon the king's coming in to see the guests, he observ'd one there without a wedding garment: and he said to him, 12friend, how came you in hither, without a wedding garment? and he was speechless. 13then said the king to the servants, bind him hand and foot, take him away, and turn him out in the dark: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14thus many are called, but few are converted.

Paying Taxes to Caesar
(Mark 12:13–17; Luke 20:19–26)

15Upon this the Pharisees withdrew, and consulted how they might insnare him in his discourse. 16they dispatch'd therefore some of their disciples, together with the Herodians, who thus address'd themselves to him; master, we know that you are sincere, and faithfully teach the divine law without fear or flattery: for you have no regard to the outward quality of men. 17tell us therefore, what is your opinion? is it lawful to pay tribute to Cesar, or no? 18but Jesus perceiving their malice, said, why, hypocrites, would you insnare me? 19shew me the tribute money, and they brought him a penny. 20and he said unto them, whose image and inscription is this? 21they answer'd, Cesar's, then said he to them, render therefore unto Cesar, the things which are Cesar's: and unto God, the things that are God's. 22on hearing this, they were filled with admiration, and so leaving him, they went their way.

The Sadducees and the Resurrection
(Mark 12:18–27; Luke 20:27–40)

23About that time the Sadducees, who say there is no future life, came and propos'd this question, 24master, said they, by the law of Moses, in case a man die without children, his brother is oblig'd to marry his wife, in order to perpetuate his brother's name. 25now there happen'd among us seven brothers, the first married but died without issue, leaving his wife to his brother: 26the same happen'd to the second, and the third, and so on to the seventh. 27last of all the woman died too: 28now if there be another life after this, whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all married her.

29Jesus answered them, you are mistaken, for want of a true notion of the scriptures, and of the divine power. 30for in the other life after this, there will be no such thing as marriage; but they will be as the angels of God in heaven. 31now as to the state of life after death, have ye not read that expression of God himself, 32" I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?" God is not a benefactor to the dead, but to the living. 33when the people heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

The Greatest Commandment
(Mark 12:28–34)

34but the Pharisees hearing that he had dumb-founded the Sadducees, they met together in council. 35In the mean time one of them, a Doctor of the law, to try him, started this question, master, 36which is the most important commandment of the law? 37Jesus said to him, "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." 38this is the first and most important precept, 39and the second has an affinity with it, "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self." 40these two precepts comprehend the substance of all the law and the prophets.

Whose Son Is the Christ?
(Mark 12:35–37; Luke 20:41–44)

41While the Pharisees were still assembled, Jesus asked them, 42what think ye of Christ? whose son is he to be? they answered, David's. 43how comes it then, said he, that David by inspiration calls him Lord, in these words,

44" the Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?"

45why then does David call him Lord, if He be David's son? 46but not a man was able to answer him a word, and from that time there was no body so hardy as to ask him any more questions.