Dual Panel1AT that time some people came and told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
2He answered them: “Do you suppose that, because these Galileans suffered this fate, they must have been greater sinners than anyone else in Galilee?
3No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all of you come to the same end.
4Or the eighteen people who were killed when the tower fell on them at Siloam -- do you imagine they must have been more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem?
5No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all come to an end like theirs.”
6He told them this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, but found none.
7So he said to the vine-dresser, ‘For the last three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down. Why should it go on taking goodness from the soil?’
8But he replied, ‘Leave it, sir, for this one year, while I dig round it and manure it.
9And if it bears next season, well and good; if not, you shall have it down.’”
10He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath,
11and there was a woman there possessed by a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent double and quite unable to stand up straight.
12When Jesus saw her he called her and said, “You are rid of your trouble,”
13and he laid his hands on her. Immediately she straightened up and began to praise God.
14But the president of the synagogue, indignant with Jesus for healing on the sabbath, intervened and said to the congregation, “There are six working days: come and be cured on one of them, and not on the sabbath.”
15The Lord gave him this answer: “What hypocrites you are!” he said. “Is there a single one of you who does not loose his ox or his donkey from its stall and take it out to water on the sabbath?
16And here is this woman, a daughter of Abraham, who has been bound by Satan for eighteen long years: was it not right for her to be loosed from her bonds on the sabbath?”
17At these words all his opponents were covered with confusion, while the mass of the people were delighted at all the wonderful things he was doing.
18“What is the kingdom of God like?” he continued. “To what shall I compare it?
19It is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew to be a tree and the birds came to roost among its branches.”
20Again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?
21It is like yeast which a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour till it was all leavened.”
22HE continued his journey through towns and villages, teaching as he made his way towards Jerusalem.
23Someone asked him, “Sir, are only a few to be saved?” His answer was:
24“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door; for I tell you that many will try to enter but will not succeed.
25“When once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may stand outside and knock, and say, ‘Sir, let us in!’ but he will only answer, ‘I do not know where you come from.’
26Then you will protest, ‘We used to eat and drink with you, and you taught in our streets.’
27But he will repeat, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Out of my sight, all of you, you and your wicked ways!’
28There will be wailing and grinding of teeth there, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves are driven away.
29From east and west, from north and south, people will come and take their places at the banquet in the kingdom of God.
30Yes, and some who are now last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”
31At that time a number of Pharisees came and warned him, “Leave this place and be on your way; Herod wants to kill you.”
32He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Listen: today and tomorrow I shall be driving out demons and working cures; on the third day I reach my goal.’
33However, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, because it is unthinkable for a prophet to meet his death anywhere but in Jerusalem.
34“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, city that murders the prophets and stones the messengers sent to her! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings; but you would not let me.
35Look! There is your temple, forsaken by God. I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!’”