The Entry into Jerusalem

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come unto the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying, "Go ye into the village over against you, in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, 'Why do ye loose him?' say ye, 'Because the Lord hath need of him.' And straightway he will send him hither."

And they that were sent went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met, and they loose him.

And certain of them that stood by said unto them, "Why loose ye the colt?"

And they said, "The Lord hath need of him."

And they let them go.

And they brought him to Jesus, and they cast their clothes upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as he went they spread their clothes in the way, and took branches from the palm trees and strewed them in the way, and went forth to meet him. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the Mount of Olives, they that went before and they that followed began to rejoice and to praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; and they cried, saying,

"Hosanna, blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven and glory in the highest."

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world is gone after him."

And when he was come into Jerusalem all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?"

And the multitude said, "This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.

And when the eventide was come, Jesus went out of the city unto Bethany. And he lodged there.

And the Scribes and chief priests sought how they might destroy him, and could not find what they might do; for they feared him, for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

And in the daytime he was teaching in the temple, and at night he went out and abode in the mount that is called the Mount of Olives. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple. And it came to pass on one of these days he taught the people and said, "What think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go work to-day in my vineyard.' He answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he repented and went. And he came to the second and said likewise. And he said, 'I go, sir,' and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father?"

They say unto him, "The first."

Jesus saith unto them, "Verily I say unto you, that sinners go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not, but sinners believed him. And ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him."

Then began he to speak to the people this parable, "A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to vine-dressers, and went into a far country. And when the time of the fruit drew near he sent to the vine-dressers a servant, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent another servant, and at him they cast stones and wounded him in the head, and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third, and they wounded him also and cast him out. But last of all he sent unto them his son, his well beloved, saying, 'They will reverence my son.' But those vine-dressers said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.' So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. What shall therefore the Lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy those vine-dressers, and will give the vineyard unto others. Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof."

And the chief priests and Scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him, for they knew that he had spoken this parable against them; but they feared the people, and they left him and went their way.

And one of the Scribes asked him, "Which is the first commandment of all?"

And Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this: 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.' There is none other commandment greater than these."

And the Scribe said unto him, "Well, Master, thou hast said the truth, for there is one God, and there is none other but he, and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices."

And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said unto him, "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." And no man after that durst ask him any question.

Then in the audience of all the people he said, "The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat; all therefore whatsoever they bid you do, that do. But do not ye after their works. For they bind heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen of men. They love the upper-most rooms at feasts, and the chief seats and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, 'Master, master.' But be not ye called 'Master,' for one is your master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren. But he that is greatest among you, shall be your servant."

And Jesus looked up and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, "Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury, for all they did cast in of their abundance, but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."