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 19


Zacchaeus, the short tax collector.


Jesus went through the city of Jericho. There was a rich tax collector there named Zacchaeus.
[1] And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
[2] And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.


Zacchaeus was short. He wanted to see Jesus, but he couldn't see him above the crowd.
[3] And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
 

Zacchaeus in the sycamore tree. Picture from LaVista Church of Christ

Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus. Jesus was going to pass by that tree.
[4] And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
 

When Jesus got by the tree, He looked up and saw Zacchaeus.  Jesus said, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down. Today, I will go to your house."
[5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

Zacchaeus hurried and came down. He was happy for Jesus to go to his house.
[6] And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.


When the other people saw this, they complained to each other. They said, "He is going to the house of a sinner."
[7] And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.


Zacchaeus stood up and said to Jesus, "Look, Lord, I will give half of what I have to poor people. If I have taken anything from anyone else dishonestly, I will pay him back 4 times as much as I took."
[8] And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.


Jesus said to him, "Today, you have saved your family. You are a son of Abraham. The Son of man comes to find lost people and save them."
[9] And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
[10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 

The parable about the workers who kept their master's coins while he was gone.


The people were listening to Jesus.  They thought the kingdom of God would appear soon. Since Jesus was near Jerusalem, He told a parable.
[11] And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.


This is the parable He told:
A royal man was leaving to go far away. He was going to get another kingdom, then come back.
[12] He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.


The royal man called his 10 workers. He gave them each 10 coins. He told them to take care of them while he was gone.
[13] And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.


The people in his kingdom hated him. They said they wouldn't let him rule over them again.
[14] But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.


Later on after he got his new kingdom, he came back.  He ordered his 10 workers who he gave the coins to to come to him. He wanted to know what each man did with his coins and if they made more money with them.  
[15] And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.


The first man came to him. He said he had made 10 times as much money. The royal man said the worker had done good. He had been faithful with a little money. Now, he will be put in charge over 10 cities.
[16] Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
[17] And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.


The second man came to him. He said he had made 5 times as much money.  So the royal man put him in charge of 5 cities.
[18] And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
[19] And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

 

Another man came to him. He gave the royal man back his money. He said he had been keeping it tied up in a napkin. He said he was afraid of the royal man because the royal man took things that did not belong to him.
[20] And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
[21] For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.


The royal man was not happy. He told the worker, "You said it yourself. I am a man that is tight with money.  I take things that aren't mine. Why didn't you put my money in the bank so that I would make more money from the interest?"
[22] And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
[23] Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?


The royal man told his helpers to take that man's money and give it to the man who had made 10 times as much as he got in the beginning. The servants said that the man already had 10 times.
[24] And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
[25] (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)


Jesus said, "The people who have something will be given more.  The people who don't have anything will have it all taken away. My enemies do not want me to be in charge over them.  Bring them here and kill them in front of me."
[26] For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
[27] But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.


When He said that, He traveled up to Jerusalem.
[28] And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

 

Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey.


Jesus was in the areas of Bethphage and Bethany. He was at the Mount of Olives. He sent 2 of His disciple into town.  He told them they would see a young donkey tied to a tree. No one has ever sat on that donkey.  They should bring the donkey to Him.
[29] And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
[30] 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.


Jesus told them, "If anyone asks you why you are untying the donkey, tell them it is because the Lord needs him."
[31] And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.

The disciples left and found the donkey like Jesus said. They were untying the donkey, and the owners asked them why they were doing that. They said, "The Lord needs him."
[32] And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
[33] And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
[34] And they said, The Lord hath need of him.


 

Picture from LaVista Church of Christ

They brought the donkey to Jesus. They put their clothes on the donkey's back. Then He sat on the donkey. As they traveled, they spread their clothes on the road in the front of the donkey.
[35] And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
[36] And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.


When they got near the bottom of the Mount of Olives, all the disciples rejoiced and shouted to praise God. They praised Him for the wonderful things they had seen Him do. They said, "Blessed be the King that comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest."
[37] And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
[38] Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
 

There were Pharisees in the crowd. They told Jesus to tell His disciples to stop doing that.
[39] And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.


Jesus said to them, "I am telling you that if they stop shouting, the rocks will start shouting."
[40] And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.


When Jesus got close, He looked at Jerusalem and cried for it. This is what He said:

If you could only know today what will bring you peace! But now, it is hidden from you. In the future, your enemies will circle around you and make a big ditch around you.  They won't let you out, and they will destroy you and your children in you.  They will not leave one brick on another because you didn't know that God was visiting you.
[41] And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
[42] Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
[43] For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
[44] And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
 

Jesus throws out the people who are buying and selling in the temple.


Jesus went into the temple. He threw out the people who were buying and selling things there.
[45] And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;

He said to them, "It is written in the scriptures, 'My house is for prayer, but you have made it a place for thieves who steal.' "
[46] Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Jesus taught in the temple every day.  But the religious leaders tried to destroy Him. They didn't know what to do because the crowds were listening to Him and paying attention to Him.
[47] And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
[48] And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
 

Luke 20


Parable about the man who rented out his vineyard.
 

Jesus told this parable:

A man planted a vineyard.  He rented it out to other farmers.  Then, he took a long trip.
[9] Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.


When it was harvest time, the owner sent a servant to the tenant farmers. They were supposed to give him the grapes that grew in the vineyard. But the tenant farmers beat him up. They made him leave with no grapes.
[10] And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.


The owner sent another servant. But the tenant farmers beat him up, too. They treated him awful and then sent him away with no grapes.
[11] And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.

The owner sent a third servant. The tenant farmers hurt him, too, and made him go away.
[12] And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.


Then, the owner wondered what to do next. He decided to send his beloved son. He thought the tenant farmers might respect him when they saw him.
[13] Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.


But when the tenant farmers saw him, they talked to each other. They said, "This is the one who will inherit this land someday. Let's kill him so that we can take the inheritance land."
[14] But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.


So, they threw the owner's beloved son out of the vineyard and killed him."  Then, Jesus asked, "What should the owner of the vineyard do to the tenant farmers?"
[15] So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?


Jesus said, "The owner will come and destroy the tenant farmers. Then, he will give the vineyard to other people." When the people in the crowd heard this, they said, "God forbid."
[16] He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.


Jesus looked at them. He said, "What does this scripture mean: the builders rejected a stone, but then the rejected stone became the cornerstone? Whoever falls on that stone will get hurt. If the stone falls on someone, it will crush him."
[17] And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
[18] Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.


At the same time, the religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus. They were worried that the people would know that Jesus' parable was about them.
[19] And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.


They kept watching Him. They sent out spies so that they could catch Him saying something they could arrest Him for.
[20] And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

They said to Him, "Master, we know that you say and teach the right things. We know you truly teach the way of God.  Is it against the law to pay taxes to Caesar?"
[21] And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:
[22] Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?


He knew they were trying to trick Him. He said, "Why are you tempting Me? Show me a coin.  Whose picture and name is on it?" They said, "It is Caesar's."
[23] But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
[24] Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.


Jesus said, "Give Caesar the things that are Caesar's. Give God the things that are God's."
[25] And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.


There was nothing they could say in front of the crowd. They were amazed at His answer, and they said nothing.
[26] And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

 

Jesus answers a question about a widow who marries her husband's brothers.


Some Sadducees came to Jesus. Sadducees don't believe that people live again after they die. They asked Jesus, "Master, Moses wrote this law about a man whose brother dies. The brother died and didn't have any children. So, the man should marry his brother's wife and have children with her. The children will be the descendants of his brother.  Now, suppose there were 7 brothers, and all ended up marrying the woman but not having children.  After people are alive again in the resurrection,  which brother will be married to the woman?  They were all 7 married to her on earth."
[27] Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,
[28] Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
[29] There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
[30] And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
[31] And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
[32] Last of all the woman died also.
[33] Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
 

Jesus answered. He said, "People on earth get married. But people in heaven won't be married. They won't die anymore either. They will be equal with the angels. They will be the children of God after they are resurrected."
[34] And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
[35] But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
[36] Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.


Jesus continued, "People who died live again. Moses showed that at the burning bush. He called the Lord the God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He is not God of dead people. He is the God of living people. Everyone lives with God."
[37] Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
[38] For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.


Some of the Jewish religious leaders told Him that he answered well. Then, they didn't dare ask Him any more questions.
[39] Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.
[40] And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

Jesus asked them a question. He asked, "How can they say that Christ is David's son? David said himself, 'The Lord told my Lord to sit at His right hand until I make you control your enemies.' If David called Him 'Lord', how can he be His son?' "
[41] And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?
[42] And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
[43] Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
[44] David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

 

Jesus warns about the religious leaders.

Jesus' disciples were in the crowd. He said to them, "Watch out for the scribes. They love to walk around in long robes. They love for everyone to talk to them at the market. They love the best seats in the synagogue and the best rooms at the feasts. But they take widows' houses. They say long prayers to show off. They will receive greater punishment."
[45] Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,
[46] Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
[47] Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
 

Luke 21


The widow who put her money in the offering.
 

Jesus looked up. He saw rich men putting their money into the offering. He also saw a poor widow. She only put 2 small coins in the offering.
[1] And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
[2] And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

Jesus talked about the widow. He said, "I am telling you the truth. This poor widow put in more than anyone else. The others are rich, and they put in what they didn't need. But she is poor, and she put in all she had."
[3] And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
[4] For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

 

Jesus talks about the end times.


Some of the people were talking about the temple.  They were talking about how it was decorated with valuable stones and gifts. Jesus said, "You will see one day when the temple is destroyed. There won't be one stone left on another."
[5] And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
[6] As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.


They asked Him, "Master, when will these things happen? What will be the sign when it is about to happen?"
[7] And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

Jesus said, "Be careful and don't let anyone trick you. Many people will come soon and say that they are Christ. Do not follow them. When you hear about wars and problems, don't be afraid. These things have to happen. But it is not the end. Countries will fight against each other.  There will be earthquakes in different places. There will be famines, bugs that destroy, and scary sights. There will be great signs from heaven. But before these things happen, the leaders will arrest you and take you to trial. They will deliver you to the religious leaders. You will go to jail. You will be taken in front of the king because of Jesus' name."
[8] And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
[9] But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
[10] Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
[11] And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
[12] But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
 

Jesus continued, "They will look to you for a testimony. Don't think about what you'll say. I will tell you what to say. I will give you the words to say. Then, they won't be able to call you a liar.
[13] And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
[14] Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
[15] For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Your parents, brothers, family, and friends will betray you.  They will cause some of you to be killed.
[16] And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

People will hate you because you say My name.
[17] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
 

But not a hair of your head will die. Be patient and strong and keep your soul.
[18] But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
[19] In your patience possess ye your souls.


When you see Jerusalem surrounded with armies, you will know it will soon be destroyed.
[20] And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

 

Then, the people in Judaea will escape to the mountains.  The people in the middle of the city should leave. Don't let anyone else come in.
[21] Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
 

The prophets wrote about these days when bad things will happen.
[22] For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.


Pregnant women and mothers who are nursing their babies will have big trouble. There will be a lot of sadness. God will show that He is angry with the people.
[23] But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.


They will be killed with swords. Other countries will capture them and make them prisoners. They will take them away. Gentiles will step on and destroy Jerusalem.  This will happen until the prophecies about the Gentiles come true.
[24] And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.


There will be signs in nature - the sun, the moon, and the stars. The countries on the earth will be confused. The sea will be loud.
[25] And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;


The people will see these signs, and they will be afraid. The sky will shake.
[26] Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.


Then they will see the Son of man coming. He will be in a cloud with power and great glory.
[27] And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
 

When you see these thing begin to happen, look up. Lift up your heads. Your redemption is coming close."
[28] And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Jesus talked to them in a parable. He said, "Think about the fig tree and all the other trees. When they start getting new branches, you know that summer is close.
[29] And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
[30] When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

It is the same. When you see these things happen, you know that God's kingdom is close.
[31] So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.


I am telling you truly that all these things will happen before this generation passes away.
[32] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
[33] Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.


Be careful and pay attention to this warning. If you are having parties, getting drunk, and worrying too much about things going on in life, that day will come and you won't know it.
[34] And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.


It will come like a trap to everyone on earth.
[35] For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.


Watch and pray always so that you are worthy to escape these things and stand in front of the Son of man.
[36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.


In the day, Jesus taught in the temple. At night, He went out and stayed in the Mount of Olives. The people came to the temple early in the morning to hear Him.
[37] And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
[38] And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.