New Testament Texts

It is a great privilege to read and try to understand and interpret a biblical text. One of the crucial steps is to go back to the text in the original languages. If one does not know Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek, one should consult a number of translations in order to notice differences and be aler...

Matthew 27 begins with a brief description of the Jewish leaders reassembling in the morning to ratify the death sentence already agreed upon and to plan how they might persuade Pilate to charge Jesus with a capital offense. In much more detail is the account of Judas feeling remorse, throwing hi...

Matthew 26 opens with a fourth prediction by Jesus of His impending death—one not found in the other Gospels and which explicitly connects the event with the Passover (Matt 26:1–2). The fulfillment of the prediction will be narrated in the next chapter, when Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucifie...

This chapter culminates Jesus’ final discourse (Matt 23–25) and consists of three parables: The Ten Virgins (25:1–13), The Talents (25:14–30), and The Sheep and the Goats (25:31–46), each of which concludes with a final judgment scene. The first parable focuses on the difference between wise and ...

Matthew 24 and 25 are part of Jesus’ final discourse that began in Matthew 23. As He leaves the temple precincts for the Mount of Olives, Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple. So several of the disciples (Peter, James, John, and Andrew, according to Mark 13:3) ask about the timing of thi...

Christ’s fifth and final discourse begins in the temple and concludes on the Mount of Olives, which affords a panoramic view of the temple complex on Mount Zion. The woes that begin this closing discourse contrast with the blessings with which the opening discourse begins. Matthew 23 begins with ...

In Matthew 22, Jesus tells a parable that likens the kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast that requires wearing a wedding garment (vv. 1–14). Then a series of questioners come forward: Pharisees ask about paying taxes to Caesar (vv. 15–22), Sadducees question Him about the resurrection (vv. 23–33...

The end of Jesus’ ministry is fast approaching. The time has come for Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Thus, He does something He has consistently refused to do up to this point: publicly present Himself as the Messiah in fulfillment of prophecy. He also for the first time accepts the recog...

As Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem, He continues teaching the disciples about the true nature of the kingdom of heaven. Peter’s question as to what reward the disciples would receive for having left all to follow Him (Matt 19:27) reveals that they still have much to learn. So Jesus tells them a p...

In Matthew 19 Jesus begins pressing toward Jerusalem with His disciples, entering Judea beyond the Jordan where John the Baptist’s work had focused. Nevertheless, the Pharisees continue to pursue Jesus and opposition to His work will continue to grow. But Jesus will not be distracted or diverted ...