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

1And it came to pass, on one of the days, as He was teaching the people in the temple, and proclaiming the Gospel, that there came upon Him the high priests and the scribes with the elders, 2and spake, saying to Him, "Tell us by what authority Thou art doing these things, or who gave Thee this authority?" 3And, answering, He said to them, "I, too, will ask you a question; and tell Me: 4The immersion of John, was it from Heaven, or of men?" 5And they reasoned together with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From Heaven,' He will say, 'Why did ye not believe him?' 6and if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us; for they are persuaded that John was a prophet." 7And they answered that they knew not whence it was; 8and Jesus said to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
(Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12)

9And He began to speak to the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went abroad for a long time. 10And, at the season, he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard; but the husbandmen, beating him, sent him away empty. 11"And he seat still another servant: and him also, having beaten and dishonored, they sent away empty. 12"And he sent still a third; and they, having wounded this one, cast him out. 13"And the lord of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my son, the beloved; perhaps they will reverence him.' 14"But, seeing him, the husbandmen were reasoning one with another, saying, 'This is the heir; let us kill him, that the inheritance may become ours.' 15And, having thrust him forth out of the vineyard, they slew him. What, therefore, will the lord of the vineyard do to them? 16He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and give the vineyard to others." And, having heard it, they said, "May it not be!"

17And He, looking upon them, said, "What, then, is this that has been written? 'A stone which the builders rejected, the same became a head of the corner.'

18'Every one who falls on that stone shall be broken to pieces; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust!'

Paying Taxes to Caesar
(Matthew 22:15–22; Mark 12:13–17)

19And the scribes and the high priests sought to lay hands on Him in that very hour; and they feared the people; for they knew that He spake the parable against them. 20And, watching Him, they sent forth spies, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of His speech, so as to deliver Him up to the rule and the authority of the governor. 21And they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, we know that Thou sayest and teachest rightly, and regardest no person, but teachest the way of God in truth. 22Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" 23But, perceiving their craftiness, He said to them,

24"Show Me a denary. Whose image and inscription has it?" And, answering; they said, "Caesar's." 25And He said to them, "Then, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 26And they were not able to lay hold of any saying of His before the people; and, marvelling at His answer, they were silent.

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

27And some of the Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection, coming near, asked Him, 28saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us, 'If any one's brother die, having a wife, and he be childless, that his brother should take the wife, and raise up seed to his brother.' 29There were, therefore, seven brothers; and the first, taking a wife, died childless. 30And the second, and the third, took her; 31and, in like manner also, the seven left no children, and died. 32At last the woman also died. 33In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of them does the woman become? for the seven had her as wife."

34And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage; 35but those accounted worthy to obtain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage; 36for neither can they die any more; for they are equal to the angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the 'Bush,' when he calls the Lord 'The God of Abraham the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' 38Now He is not a God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him." 39And some of the scribes, answering, said, "Teacher, Thou spakest well;" 40for no longer were they daring to question Him.

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

41And He said to them, "How say they that the Christ is David's Son?

42For David himself says in the book of Psalms, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand,

43until I make Thy enemies a footstool of Thy feet.' 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 hearing, He said to the disciples,

46"Beware of the scribes, who wish to walk about in long robes, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and first seats in the synagogues, and first places at feasts; 47who devour the houses of widows; and, for a pretense, make long prayers. These shall receive greater condemnation."