Prayer and persistence
1 Then he gave them another parable, to illustrate the need to always pray and not be demoralized: 2 “There was a judge in a certain city who had no fear of God and no regard for anyone. 3 There was also a widow in that city, and she came to him and told him, ‘Avenge me against my accuser!’ 4 For a while he ignored her, but eventually he said to himself, ‘I have no fear of God and no regard for anyone. 5 But since this widow is wearing me down, I will see that she gets righteousness— before she gets violent!’ ”
6 Then Jesus added, “Notice what the unjust judge is saying. 7 But won’t God do even more to vindicate his chosen ones who plead for help day and night? Will he keep them waiting? 8 I tell you that he will vindicate them, and do it quickly. But the question is, will the Human find faith on the earth when he comes?”
The parable of the proud prayer
9 Jesus gave yet another parable, this time to those who are self-righteous while holding others in contempt: 10 “Two people went up into the temple compound to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax contractor. 11 The Pharisee stood there and prayed to himself, ‘I am grateful to you, God, because I am not like everyone else: extortioners, cheaters, adulterers… and especially this tax contractor! 12 I fast every Monday and give a tenth of everything I acquire.’1213 “But the tax contractor stood at a distance, not even lifting his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his chest and said, ‘God, please absolve me of my guilt!’ 14 I tell you, it was this one and not the other who went home cleared of all charges. For those who exalt themselves will be humiliated, but those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Jesus blesses the children
15 Now people also brought their little ones to Jesus so that he would bless them. But his disciples saw this and rebuked them. 16 So Jesus called them to him and said, “Let the little ones come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God is theirs. 17 Truly I tell you, that whoever does not accept the kingdom of God the same way these little ones do, will not enter into it.”
Riches as an obstacle to salvation
18 A certain ruler asked him this: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 “Why do you call me ‘good’?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God. 19 20 And you know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not commit perjury, honor your father and mother.”
21 “But I’ve kept all those commandments since I was young,” he said.
22 Upon hearing this, Jesus said, “You only lack one thing: Sell everything you have and distribute it to the destitute, and you will have treasure in the heavens. Then come and follow me.”
23 When the ruler heard this he became very dejected, because he was extremely wealthy. 24 And when Jesus saw how dejected he became, he said, “How difficult is is for those with money to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.”
26 Those who heard this exclaimed, “Then who could ever be saved?”
27 And he answered, “What people cannot do, God can do.”
28 Then Peter said, “See, we’ve left everything we owned to follow you.” 29 But he replied, “I tell you truly, that whoever is willing to let go of their house, spouse, siblings, parents, or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 will certainly be repaid many times over in this era, and receive eternal life in the ages to come.”
Jesus predicts his death yet again
31 Then Jesus took the Twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where everything the prophets wrote about the Human will be fulfilled. 32 For he will be handed over to the secular authorities to be jeered at, abused, spat upon, 33 and flogged, and finally put to death. But on the third day he will arise.” 34 But they had no clue what he was talking about, because it was hidden from them and they were kept from understanding.
Jesus heals a blind beggar
35 Now it happened that as they approached Jericho, there was a blind person sitting at the side of the road, begging. 36 And when he heard the crowd passing by, he asked what this was about, 37 and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by. 38 So he cried out for help: “Jesus, descendant of David, have pity on me!” 39 The ones leading the way told him to be quiet, but he only shouted out louder, “Descendant of David, have pity on me!”
40 Jesus stood still and ordered the blind one to be led over to him. And as he got near Jesus asked him, 41 “What is it that you want me to do?”
“Sir,” he replied, “I want to see!”
42 “All right, see!” said Jesus, “Your faith has healed you.” 43 Instantly he could see, and he followed him, giving honor to God. And all the people who saw this praised God as well.
- 12 The phrase typically rendered “twice a week” may actually be a figure of speech meaning the second day after the weekly Sabbath.
- 19 If Jesus is called good, and only God is good, then Jesus is being called God.