Workers For Jesus Online Bible Study Table of Contents

About this Bible Study........The King James Version of the Bible is written in a beautiful form of the English language. It can be hard for modern English readers to understand.  In this study, you will find notes and summaries in brown just above the the verses from the Bible. We recommend that you read the notes and summaries first, and then read the verses in their KJV form. 



Timeline of the Bible


God creates the world. --- God destroys the world with the flood, but saves  Noah and his family.---
 God chooses Abraham and his descendants to His people. ---Abraham's grandson, Jacob, has 12 sons who lead the 12 tribes of Israel.--- The Israelites become slaves in Egypt.--- God helps the Israelites escape and leads them to Canaan. ---The Israelites fight in wars and take control of Canaan.---Judges lead the Israelites, but the Israelites want to have kings instead of judges. ----  David is Israel's greatest king. -- Israel divides into 2 parts: Israel and Judah.--- The people of Israel and Judah continue to sin and worship false gods.--- God allows the Assyrians and the Babylonians to take the Israelites out of Israel and Judah.---   The Israelites (Jews) live in Babylonia and then Persia. --- When Persia defeats the Babylonians, the Jews go back to Judah.--- The Jews build God's Temple in Jerusalem again.--- Greece defeats Persia, and the Greeks control Judah (also now called Israel).--- The Jews become independent for 100 years.-- The Romans take control of Israel.--- This book of the Bible covers this time Jesus is born. At age 30, Jesus begins his ministry. ---Jesus is crucified and then is resurrected. --- A Roman named Saul is converted to Christianity and becomes Paul.--- Christianity spreads. --- Paul write letters to Christians in other places. In the year, 70 A.D., God's Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed again.

 

The Gospel of Luke

Luke was not one of the 12 disciples. Years after Jesus was crucified, Luke traveled with the apostle Paul.  Luke had been a doctor before he started traveling with Paul. Luke wrote this book of the Bible based on what Paul and others told him.

Luke also wrote the Book of Acts.

The Gospel of Luke was probably written in 85 - 90 AD.

 
 


Luke  13 -15

Jesus heals a disabled woman on the sabbath.
People should repent before it is too late.
Jesus eats supper at one of the Pharisee leaders' houses.
Jesus compares sinners to lost sheep and lost coins.
The parable of the prodigal son

 


 

Luke 13


People who think they are better than other sinners.
 


This chapter begins with a couple of short stories.

The first story is about Pilate. He was the Roman governor in charge of the part of Israel around Jerusalem.  This short story is about an event between Pilate and some people who lived near the Sea of Galilee. Some people in Galilee were making sacrifices. Pilate had them killed, and then he put some of their blood on the altar with the sacrifices they were making.

The second story is about the Tower in Siloam. Siloam is a place in the city of Jerusalem. There was a tower there that fell down.  It fell on 18 people who were killed.

 

Some people told Jesus about the people in Galilee. Pilate had killed them, and then put their blood on the altar with their sacrifices.  Jesus asked the people, "Do you think they were worse sinners than the others in Galilee because they were killed? I am telling you no. But if you don't repent of your sins, you will also die."
[1] There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
[2] And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
[3] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.


Jesus continued, "Or what about the 18 people in Siloam? They were killed when the tower fell on them.  Do you think they were worse sinners than the other people in Jerusalem? I am telling you no. But if you don't repent, you will also die."


[4] Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
[5] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

 


Parable about a fig tree


Jesus told this parable:  A man planted a fig tree in with his grape vines.  He came to see if it had any fruit on it, but there was none.
[6] He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.


So the man said to the man who took care of the farm, "Look at these trees. I planted them 3 years ago. I came to look for fruit, but there is none.  Cut it down. Why should it take up space in the ground?"
[7] Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?


The man answered, "Master, leave it this year. I will dig around it and put manure down for fertilizer. If it makes fruit, that will be good. If it doesn't make fruit, then you can cut it down."
[8] And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
[9] And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

 


Jesus heals a disabled woman on the sabbath.


On the sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue.
[10] And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
 

Picture from LaVista Church of Christ

There was a woman who had been sick for 18 years. She was bent over and couldn't stand up.
[11] And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.


Jesus saw her. He told her to come to Him.  He said, "Woman, you are now loose from your disability." He laid His hands on her. Immediately, she stood up straight and glorified God.
[12] And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
[13] And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

The leader of the synagogue was disgusted because Jesus healed someone on the sabbath day. The synagogue leader said to the people, "There are 6 days when men should work. You should come to be healed on those 6 days, but not on the sabbath day."
[14] And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

Jesus answered him. He said, "You are a hypocrite.  Don't each of you take your donkeys and oxen out of their stalls and lead them to water on the sabbath day?
[15] The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

Shouldn't this woman be loosened on the sabbath day? She is a descendant of Abraham. Satan had kept her tied up with her illness for 18 years."

[16] And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?


After Jesus finished talking, His enemies were ashamed. All of the people were happy because of the wonderful things Jesus had done.
[17] And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
 


 

A mustard seed is tiny. It is much smaller than a penny.
Picture from SusanNorris.org

Jesus compares the kingdom of God to yeast and a mustard seed.


Then Jesus said, "What is the kingdom of God like? What can I compare it to? It is like a tiny mustard seed. The man took the tiny seed and threw it into his garden. It grew into a big tree. The birds of the air lived in its branches."
[18] Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
[19] It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.


Jesus said again, "What is the kingdom of God like? It is like yeast.  A woman put the yeast in 3 containers of flour so that all of the dough would rise."
[20] And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
[21] It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

 



People should repent before it is too late.


Then Jesus went through the cities and towns. He taught as he traveled toward Jerusalem.

[22] And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.


One person said to Jesus, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" Jesus answered, "Try to enter the narrow gate. I tell you that many will try to get in, but they won't be able to.
[23] Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
[24] Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.


Once the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will be outside. You will knock on the door and say, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us.' The master will say, 'I don't know who you are. Then will you start to say, 'We have eaten and drank with you. You have taught in our streets.'  Then the master will say, 'I am telling you that I don't know you. Go away. You do bad things.'"
[25] When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
[26] Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
[27] But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.


Jesus continued, "People outside will cry hard and grind their teeth. You will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all of the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you have been thrown out. People will come from the east, west, north, and south. They will sit down in the kingdom of God. See, the people who were last (least important) will be first.  The people who were first (most important) will be last."
[28] There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
[29] And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
[30] And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
 



Jesus tells that He will be killed in Jerusalem.


The same day, some Pharisees came to Jesus. They said, "Leave, because Herod will kill You."

[31] The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.


Jesus said to them, "You go tell that fox that I am putting out devils. I am healing people today and tomorrow. On the 3rd day,  I will be finished. Even so, I will walk today, tomorrow, and the day after.  It can't happen that  prophet is killed outside of Jerusalem."
[32] And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
[33] Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.


Jesus continued, "Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets and stone the ones who are sent to you. Many times, I wanted to gather my children together like a hen gathers her baby chicks under her wings. But you would not do that. You will see that your house will be empty. I am truly saying to you that you will not see me until the time that you say, 'He who comes in the name of the Lord is blessed.' "
[34] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
[35] Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
 



Luke 14


Jesus eats supper at one of the Pharisee leaders' house.


One day, Jesus went to the house of one of the Pharisee leaders to eat with him on the sabbath day. The others were watching Jesus. There was a man who came there. He was sick with dropsy (retaining fluid, swollen). Jesus said to the Pharisees and law experts, "Is it against the law to heal on the sabbath?"

[1] And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.
[2] And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.
[3] And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?


They didn't answer. Jesus healed the man and then let him leave.
[4] And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

Jesus asked them, "If you have an ox or a donkey fall into a pit on the sabbath, which of you wouldn't pull it out immediately?"
[5] And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?


They couldn't answer Him.
[6] And they could not answer him again to these things.

Jesus had noticed that the guests at the dinner were choosing the best seats. He told them another parable.
[7] And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,


He said, "When you are invited to a wedding, don't sit in the best seat.  Someone more important might be coming to the wedding. If you're sitting in the best seat, they will ask you to move to let the important man sit there. You will be embarrassed.  But if you choose the worst seat when you arrive, they may ask you to move to a better seat.  Then, you will look good to the other people there.
[8] When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
[9] And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
[10] But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.


Whoever thinks he is higher than other people will be taken down.  Whoever thinks he is lower than other people will be raised higher."
[11] For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.


Jesus also spoke to the man who invited Him, "When you make dinner or supper, don't call your friends or family or rich neighbors. They will then invite you to their house to pay you back.  Instead, invite the poor, disabled, and blind people. You will be blessed because they can't pay you back. You will be rewarded when the good people are resurrected."
[12] Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
[13] But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
[14] And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.


One of the people at dinner heard Jesus say these things. He said to Jesus, "The people who will eat bread in God's kingdom will be blessed."
[15] And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.



Jesus tells a parable about a man who invited many people to a big supper.


Then, Jesus said to him, "There was a man who made a big supper. He invited many people to come. At supper time, he sent his servant out.  The servant went to the people who were invited. He told them it was time to come because everything was ready.
[16] Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
[17] And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

But the people started making excuses. The first one said, 'I just bought some land. I need to go see it. Please excuse me.'
[18] And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

The second one said, 'I just bought some oxen.  I need to go and see try them. Please excuse me.'
[19] And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

Another one said, 'I got married, and now I cannot come.'
[20] And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

The servant went and told his master. The master was very angry. He told the servant to go out into the streets and roads of the city. He should bring to the house the people who were poor, disabled, and blind.
[21] So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.


The servant said, 'Lord, I did what you commanded. But there is still room for more people.'

[22] And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

The master told the servant to go out again into the countryside and bring everyone to his house so that it would be full.
[23] And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

The master said, 'None of the people I invited at first will eat my supper.' "
[24] For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

 


Jesus talks about the cost to follow Him.


There were big crowds with Him. He turned and said to them, "If any man wants to follow Me, he must love Me more than his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and even his own life. If he doesn't love Me the most, he cannot be My disciple.

[25] And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
[26] If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.


The people who do not carry their own crosses and follow Me cannot be My disciples.

[27] And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.


If you were going to build a tower, wouldn't you sit down first and figure out how much it would cost? You would need to know if you had enough money to finish it or not. If you didn't do that first, you might start building it and then see that you didn't have enough money to keep building it.  Everyone would make fun of you.  They would  make fun and say that you started to build, but couldn't finish.

[28] For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
[29] Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
[30] Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.


If a king is going to fight another king in a war, wouldn't he sit down first with his advisors? They would figure out if they could win with 10,000 soldiers if the other king has 20,000 soldiers. If they see they can't win, they will send someone to the other king and try to make peace. They will contact the other king before he gets too close.
[31] Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
[32] Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.


In the same way, if you don't give up all you have, you cannot be My disciple.
[33] So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
 



Jesus talks about salt.

Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its salty flavor, how can it become salty again? It is not good for anything, but should be thrown away. Anyone who has ears should hear what I'm saying."

[34] Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
[35] It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
 



Luke 15


Jesus compares sinners to lost sheep and lost valuable coins.


Tax collectors and sinners came to hear Jesus talk. The Pharisees and scribes saw them.  They whispered to each other, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
[1] Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
[2] And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.


Jesus told them this parable: If you had 100 sheep and lost one of them, wouldn't you leave the 99 and go look for the one who was lost? You would keep looking until you found it.
[3] And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
[4] What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?


When you find it, you would lay it on your shoulders and rejoice. When you got home, you would call your friends and neighbors and tell them, "Be happy with me because I have found my sheep that was lost."
[5] And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
[6] And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.


I tell you that it will be the same in heaven.  There will be more happiness over the one sinner that repented than over the 99 people who did not need to repent.
[7] I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.


In the same way, if a woman loses one of her 10 pieces of silver, doesn't she light a candle and sweep the house until she finds it? Then she calls her friends and neighbors and says, "Be happy for me because I found the piece of silver that I lost."  In the same way, the angels of God in heaven are more happy when one sinner repents.
[8] Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
[9] And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
[10] Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

 



The parable of the  prodigal son


Jesus told this story about a man and his two sons. The younger son asked his father for his part of his inheritance. So, his father gave him his part. A few days later, the younger son left and traveled far away. He was very sinful and wasted all of his money.
[11] And he said, A certain man had two sons:
[12] And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
[13] And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.


 

Picture from LaVista Church of Christ

After he spent all of his money, there was a famine. He didn't have anything to eat. He got a job with a farmer. His job was to feed the pigs. He was very hungry, and no one gave him food. So, he ate the food that the pigs didn't eat.
[14] And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
[15] And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
[16] And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.


He began to think about his father's workers. They always had enough food to eat. But, he was starving. So, he decided to go home. He would tell his father what he had done. He would tell him that he sinned against him and sinned against God. He would tell him that he was not worthy enough to be called his son, so he wanted to work as one of the workers.
[17] And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
[18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
[19] And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
 

He got up and went back home. While he was still a long way from the house, his father saw him. He felt great love and pity and ran to his son. He hugged and kissed him.
[20] And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.


The son told his father that he had sinned against him and God. He said he was not good enough to be called his son.
[21] And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

 

Picture from LaVista Church of Christ


But, the father told his workers to bring the best robe and put it on his son. He told them to put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. He told them to go kill the special fat calf so they could eat it and have a party.
[22] But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
[23] And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:


He told them that his son was dead, but he is alive again. His son was lost, but now he is found. Everyone began to celebrate.
[24] For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry./


The man's older son was out working in the fields. When he came back to the house, he heard music and dancing. He asked one of the servants what was going on.
[25] Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
[26] And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

The servant said that his brother had come home safely, and his father killed the special calf to celebrate.
[27] And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.


The older brother was mad and would not go in. So, his father came out and begged him to come in.

[28] And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.


The older brother said, "All of these years I have worked for him and obeyed all of your rules. But you never even gave me a young goat so I could have a party with my friends. But as soon as your other son came back, you killed the special calf. He did bad things and spent all of his money on prostitutes.
[29] And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
[30] But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.


The father said, "Son, you are always with me. Everything I have is yours.  But it is right for us to celebrate because your brother was dead and now he is alive again. He was lost, but now he is found."
[31] And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
[32] It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.