Chapter 10
Forecasts of Conflict with the Jerusalem Authorities
And Jesus went forth, and his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi: and in the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Who do men say that I am? And they told him, saying, John the Baptist: and others, Elijah; but others, One of the prophets.
And Jesus asked them, But who say ye that I am? Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. Then charged Jesus the disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Christ.
[See also “Contemporary Opinions about the Worth of Jesus,” Chapter 6.]
From that time began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go into Jerusalem, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be delivered up into the hands of men, and be condemned to death, and suffer many things, and be set at nought, and be killed.
And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Master: this shall never be unto thee. But Jesus turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men.
And Jesus called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them,
If any man would come after me, let him deny himself. Whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life, shall save it.
What is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self?
[See also, “Some Tests of Discipleship” (Chapter 11, #57) and “The Costs of Discipleship” (Chapter 12, #73)]
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the half-shekel came to Peter, and said, Doth not your teacher pay the half shekel? He saith, Yea.
And when he came into the house, Jesus spake first to him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? the kings of the earth, from whom do they receive toll or tribute? from their sons, or from strangers? And when he said, From strangers, Jesus said unto him, Therefore the sons are free.
But, lest we cause them to stumble, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
And when Jesus was in the house at Capernaum, he asked them, What were ye reasoning in the way? But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another in the way, who was the greatest.
And Jesus sat down, and called the twelve, and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and minister of all.
Salt is good: but if the salt has lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.
[[See also “Teaching on Standards of Greatness,” Chapter 14, #87.].]
52. Teaching on Tolerance
John said unto Jesus, Teacher, we saw one casting out devils in thy name: and we forbade him, because he followed not with us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is for us.
And Jesus said unto his disciples, Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven tines turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Then came Peter, and said to Jesus, How oft shall my brother sin against me, Master, and I forgive him? until seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but until seventy times seven.
A certain king would make a reckoning with his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not the wherewith to pay, his master commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and worshiped him, saying, Master, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the master of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay what thou owest. So his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was due.
So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto their master all that was done. Then his master called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me: shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on thee?