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

1And on one of those days as He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes and elders came upon Him, saying, 2Tell us by what authority thou dost these things? or who it is that gave thee this authority? 3And He answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one question, tell me, 4Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? 5And they reasoned among themselves, saying, If we say, From heaven, He will say, Why then did ye not believe him? 6but if we say, Of men, the people will all stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet. 7And they answered, they did not know whence it was. 8And Jesus said unto them, Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

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

9Then He began to speak unto the people this parable, A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen and travelled abroad for a considerable time, 10and at the fruit-season he sent a servant to the husbandmen that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard; but the husbandmen beat him and sent him away empty. 11And he sent another servant; and they beat him also and abused him, and sent him away empty. 12And he sent a third; and they wounded him also and drove him out. 13Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: perhaps when they see Him they will reverence Him. 14But when the husbandmen saw Him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir, come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others. And when they heard this they said, God forbid.

17And He looked upon them and said, What then is this, which is written, The stone which the builders refused, is become the head of the corner?

18Whosoever falleth on that stone shall be bruised; but on whomsoever it falleth, it will crush him to pieces.

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

19And the chief priests and the scribes would have laid hands on Him at that very time, but were afraid of the people: for they perceived that He had spoken this parable against them. 20And they watched Him and sent out spies, pretending to be righteous men, to lay hold of his words, that they might deliver Him up to the power and authority of the governor. 21And they asked Him, saying, Master, we know that thou speakest and teachest rightly, and acceptest not the person of any, but teachest the way of God in truth: 22is it lawful for us to give tribute to Cesar, or not? 23But He perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why do ye tempt me?

24Shew me a penny: whose image and inscription hath it? and they answered, Cesar's. 25Then said He unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things that are Cesar's, and to God the things that are God's. 26And they could not take hold of his word before the people: and they marvelled at his answer and said no more.

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

27And some of the Sadducees (who deny a resurrection) came to Him and asked Him, 28saying, Moses enjoined us, if any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die childless, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother. 29Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died childless; and the second took the wife, and he died childless; 30and the third took her; 31and in like manner all the seven. 32And they died and left no children. Last of all the woman also died. 33Therefore at the resurrection whose wife is she? for all the seven had her to wife.

34And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry and are given in marriage. 35But they who are counted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36for they can die no more, being like the angels: and they are the children of God as being the children of the resurrection. 37Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush; for he calleth the Lord, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38And He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for to Him they are all living. 39And some of the scribes replied, Master, thou hast indeed said right. 40And they dared not any more to ask Him any such question.

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

41And He said unto them, How do they say, that Christ is the son of David?

42when David himself saith in the book of Psalms, "The Lord said unto my Lord,

43Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool." 44David therefore calleth Him Lord, and how is He then his son?

Beware of the Scribes
(Mark 12:38–40)

45And He said to his disciples, in the audience of all the people,

46Beware of the scribes, who affect to walk in long robes, and love salutations in public places, and the chief seats in the Synagogues, and uppermost places at feasts; 47who devour widows houses, and for a shew of religion make long prayers: these shall receive a heavier sentence.