Words and Deeds of Jesus: A Translation of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Revelation in Common English with Technical Comments.

AuthorHouse™ LLC

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: 1-800-839-8640

© 2012, 2014 Kris Doulos. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/10/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4772-7336-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-7335-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012917663

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Preface

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Revelation

This translation is from

The Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament

Revised in 1993.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon

of the New Testament

is the authority used for the definition of Greek words.

Third printing-1999; Original printing 1896

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

This translation and comments

are by

Kris Doulos

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

This writing is dedicated

to every person

who loves

the words of God

Preface

The purpose of this writing is not to criticize a translation or any person working for the cause of Christ. It is an effort to help people understand the words used by Jesus. Much is said about what Jesus did but comments about who he was or who he is are vague. Because eternal life comes from the words of Jesus (John 6:63) and because each person will be judged in his final judgment by the words of Jesus (John 12:47-48), the most important words known to man are the words of Jesus found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Revelation. Of these five records, only Matthew and John were companion eye-witnesses to the words and deeds of Jesus. The gospels of Mark and Luke, the writings of Paul, every statement in the Bible, every personal opinion and every teaching in the church should be screened for accuracy by the words of Jesus found in Matthew, John and Revelation.

There are thousands of manuscripts and segments of manuscripts related to the story of Jesus with differences and contradictions. The best record of the original words of Jesus is found in the Greek manuscripts Sinaiticus, Vaticanus and Alexandrinus which date more than 300 years after Jesus spoke the words in Hebrew and Aramaic. When these were translated from the Greek, traditions were protected by using transliterations and manufactured words. Just as the Talmud became equal in authority to the Torah and influenced the rejection of Jesus, the writings of Peter, Paul and subsequent traditions are accepted as being equal in authority with the words of Jesus. A comment made by Paul that contradicts Jesus and an act of Peter which ignored the instructions of Jesus became the two most deceptive traditions used by Satan to oppose the plan of God to reign in man. Sincerity and good works are not a substitute for truth. In spite of Satan’s efforts, the truth contained in the words of Jesus can be clearly seen. What Jesus said corresponds to what God says when he speaks directly to a person. A translator should be careful to give the original meaning of the words and not be influenced by ideas and circumstances which exist at the time of his translation.

A transliteration does not tell a reader the meaning of a word and results in erroneous ideas about what is said. Here are some examples: Angel-(Greek-aggelos-angelos)-This means messenger and only the context will determine if this is a human or heavenly messenger. Baptize-(Greek-Baptidzo)—This means to dip or Immerse. Hypocrite-(Greek-hupocrites)-This is an actor or pretender. Mammon-(Greek-mamonas)—This is what a person believes. Because God is not a believed teaching but a living being, Jesus told the Scribes and Pharisees they could not serve both, God and what they believed.

The name JESUS-Unlike other words, names are not translated (the meaning given), they are transliterated (given comparable letters in the translated language). Translators changed the Hebrew letter yod (y) and the Greek letter iota (i) to the English letter j without any known literary license to do this. This caused the Hebrew name of God (YHWH), with vowels added, to become Jehovah and the Greek name Iesous to become Jesus. (I as in "hit, e as in hey, sous as in soos). Gabriel told Mary the child’s name would be Iesous, not Jesus. Reading this will likely cause the reader to react in a similar way to the way the Jewish leaders reacted when they were told certain truths by Jesus. It is not comforting to learn a long held and sacred belief does not represent truth. Since God listens to the person in the body, what the mouth says may not make a difference to him. In this translation the Name Jesus will be used in the comments and, to be accurate, Iesous" will be used in the text.

Some words given incorrect meanings are: Eternity-The Greek word aonios means without beginning or end (eternity) but the Greek word aiovos means breath or life span and refers to living humans. Born Again-(Greek-anothen)-This means from above and depicts a lower form of life becoming a part of a higher form of life by the digestive process. Church and hell are manufactured words which hide the real meaning. Church(Greek-ekklesia)-This is two words-ek=out or out of and kaleo=to call. The correct meaning is called out or chosen. Hell-Two different words used by Jesus are traditionally translated hell. 1. Gehenna-Greek-geennas—This was the place on the South and East of Jerusalem where Moloch threw child sacrifices and was a landfill at the time of Jesus. It depicts a life filled with the garbage of the world. 2. Hades-Greek-aides-This is two words: A=alpha which negates the meaning of the word and ide/eido which means sight. Hades means without sight, blind or ignorant. The gates of ignorance will not prevail when God speaks directly to a person as he did to Peter and later to Saul (Paul). The traditional concept of hell is found in the statements of Jesus about the burning of vines, chaff, false prophets etc. and the Lake of Fire. Jesus spoke with metaphors (parables) so only those willing to do what he said would understand.

One mistranslated word that affects the entire book of Revelation is the Greek word ginesthai. Because the tense can be aorist (past) or present, verse 1:1 states the events of Revelation are past and present, not future. Suppose someone you love dearly is in a life and death struggle. Do you give them instructions that pertain to their present need or something about the future beyond their lifetime? In Revelation Jesus showed John the crucifixion, ascension and how Satan uses religion, government and commerce to control the masses of mankind by persuading people to use a pyramid system (600-60-6) which enables one to control many. In this system people look to and honor human leaders instead of God (see Matthew 23:8-10).

These and other errors, supported only by traditions which void the Word of God, can be seen in this translation of the four gospels and Revelation. The Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament and Thayer’s lexicon were the sources for this translation. Technical comments clarify word meanings.

Matthew

Matthew was a tax collector before he became a disciple of Jesus. His genealogy of Jesus is evidence of his preciseness.

Comments on Chapter 1

Verse 2ff-The word engendered is used instead the word begat because the genealogy consists of males. A male engenders and a female begets. A correct spelling of the names is in parenthesis to show how the King James translators changed the I to J. Verse 19-Breath, the meaning of the word pneuma is used instead of the evolved words spirit or ghost. Holy Breath refers to God or God’s breath. Breath refers to a nonphysical breath being living in a physical body or the influence of God’s breath on a human breath. Verse 20-Just as God breathed into Adam’s body made of dirt, God breathed into Mary. This was not physical air but the Breath of God which is his substance and the only offspring coming from him. Being born of God occurs when the Breath of God is breathed into the human breath disabled by sin.

Matthew-Chapter One

1:1-6: A book of generations of Iesous Christ, son of David, son of Abram. Abram engendered Isaak, Isaak engendered Jacob (Iakob), Jacob engendered Jude (Ioudan) and his brothers. Jude engendered Phares and Zara with Thamar; Phares engendered Esrom, Esrom engendered Aram, Aram engendered Aminadab, Aminadab engendered Naasson, Naasson engendered Salmon, Salmon engendered Boes with Rachab; Boes engendered Obed (Iobad) with Routh, Obed engendered Jesse (Iessai), Jesse engendered David the king, David engendered Solomon with the one of Urias.

1:7-17: Solomon engendered Roboam, Roboam engendered Abia, Abia engendered Asa, Asa engendered Josaphat (Iosaphat), Josaphat engendered Joram (Ioram), Joram engendered Ozias, Ozias engendered Joatham (Ioatham), Joatham engendered Achaz, Achaz engendered Ezekias, Ezekias engendered Manasses, Manasses engendered Amon, Amon engendered Josias (Iosian). Josias engendered Jeconias (Iechonian) and his brothers at the time of the migration to Babylon. During the migration to Babylon Jeconias engendered Salathial, Salathial engendered Zorobabel, Zorobabel engendered Abiud, Abiud engendered Eliakim, Eliakim engendered Azor, Azor engendered Sadoc, Sadoc engendered Achim, Achim engendered Eliud, Eliud engendered Eleazar, Eliazar engendered Matthan, Matthan engendered Jacob (Iakob), Jacob engendered Joseph (Iosaph) the husband of Mary from whom was born Iesous, the one referred to as Christ. These things being so, all the generations from Abraham (Abraam) until David are fourteen generations and from David until the migration to Babylon were fourteen generations and from the migration to Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.

1:18-25: This is the way the birth of Iesous Christ occurred: His mother, Mary, was promised in marriage to Joseph (Ioseph). Before the time when the marriage was to be consummated, a pregnancy, caused by Holy Breath, was discovered. Joseph, a righteous man, not wishing to shame her, decided to secretly separate from her. While he was pondering what to do a messenger of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to accept Mary as your wife because what is in her is from Breath and is holy. She will produce a son and you will call his name Iesous because he will save his people from their sins. All of this has happened to fulfill the spoken words of the Lord through the prophet saying, Behold, a virgin will conceive and bear a son and they will call his name Emmanuel which means, God with us. Joseph arose from sleep and did as the Lord’s messenger instructed him. He received the woman as his own and did not have intimate knowledge with her until she gave birth to a son and called his name Iesous.

Comments on Chapter 2

Verse 1-The word Magoi represents people who are learned in various schools of thought. Because a star is the subject here, these men were probably astrologers. Herod’s instructions to the astrologers were not to learn about a baby but about a young child. This would be based upon the time the astrologers told him the star first appeared. So, contrary to tradition, the astrologers did not go to the manger where Jesus was born, they went to a house. The shepherds went to the manger. Verse 4- This was not an ordinary king; this was the Messiah (Christ). Verse 9- The star-This was the first GPS (global positioning satellite) known to man. Verse 20-Because the human brain exerts less programmed control when a person is asleep than when he is awake; it is easier for the non-physical realm to make contact in a dream. When God communicates through a dream there is something present that is different from a normal dream. Known and unrecognized attitudes appear in symbols in dreams. The symbols are metaphors of the real thing.

Matthew-Chapter 2

2:1-6: After the birth of Iesous in Bethlehem of Judea, during the time when Herod was king, learned men from the East were visiting Jerusalem asking, Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star in the East and came to pay homage to him. Upon hearing this, King Herod and all Jerusalem were troubled. All the ranking priests and scribes of the people met with them to ask where the Christ was born. They told them, In Bethlehem of Judea just as it was written by the prophets: ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, the smallest among the leaders of Judah; a leader will come from you who will shepherd my people Israel.

2:7-12: Later, Herod called the astrologers to learn from them the exact time when the star appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem with instructions to get accurate information concerning the child and told them, When you find him return to me so I also may go and pay homage to him. After talking with the king they left and the star which they saw in the East went before them until it arrived at, and stood above the location of the young child. The sight of the star caused them to rejoice with exceedingly great joy. Upon entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother and bowing, they worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Being advised in a dream not to return to Herod, they returned to their land another way.

2:13-15: After they left, a messenger of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, Arise, take the child and his mother and flee into Egypt and stay there until I speak to you again. Herod is looking for the child to kill him. He took the child and his mother and, travelling at night, went to Egypt. He remained there until the death of Herod which fulfilled the word spoken by the Lord through the prophet, I called my son out of Egypt.

2:16-18: Then Herod, realizing he had been mocked by the astrologers, was incensed and sent messengers with authority to annihilate all the children in Bethlehem and outlying areas from two years of age and under. This was based upon the exact time according to the astrologers. Then was fulfilled the word spoken by Jeremiah (Ieremiou) the prophet saying, A sound was heard in Rama, loud weeping and great expressions of grief. Rachel’s children weeping and refusing comfort because it was not possible.

2:19-23: After Herod died, a messenger of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream in Egypt. He told him to take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel because the one seeking the life of the child was dead. He took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel but when he heard Archelaos had filled the place of his father as king of the Jews, he was afraid to go there. Based upon divine information in a dream, he returned to the region of Galilee and, upon arriving, settled in a city called Nazareth. This fulfilled the word of the prophet that he would be called a citizen of Nazareth.

Comments on Chapter 3

Verse 2-The word metanoia, often translated repent means a change in thinking.

Verse 2-The word Basileia means kingdom or reign. Reigning must take place before there can be a kingdom. The goal of Jesus was for God to reign in people by giving the people an opportunity to permit God’s word to have authority over all other information. Verse 16-Here the Greek word ‘pneuma’ is correctly translated breath. God’s Breath was like visible wind that settled upon Jesus. Not a spirit, ghost or phantom but God’s Breath is what gives life and power. Verse 16, 17-Ouranos can mean sky or heaven. The context determines which.

Matthew-Chapter 3

3:1-3: In those days John, the one who was immersing, began preaching in the uninhabited rural areas of Judea saying, Change the way you think because the reign of Heaven has arrived. This is according to the saying of Isaiah the prophet, A loud voice is being heard in the uninhabited rural areas, ‘Prepare the way of Lord! Immediately conform to his established way!

3:4-12: This is the John who wore an outer cloak made of camel hair, a belt of skin around his waist and whose food was locusts and natural honey. When he became known, people went to him from Jerusalem, all of Judea and all the surrounding area of Jordan to be immersed by him in the Jordan River while admitting their sins. Learning of him, many of the Pharisees and Sadducees went to the place where he was immersing. He said to them, Offspring of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the impending wrath? Do works that show you have changed the way you think and change your opinion of yourselves about Abraham being your father. I’m telling you God is able to produce children belonging to Abraham from these stones. The axe is already lying at the root of the tree. Every tree not bearing good fruit, he cuts down and throws into the fire. I am immersing in water to show a change in thinking but the one coming after me is mightier than me. I am not worthy to carry his shoes. He will immerse you in Holy Breath and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, gather his grain into the storehouse and burn the stalks with unquenchable fire.

3:13-17: After that Iesous went from Galilee to Jordan to be immersed by John but John refused saying, I need to be immersed by you and you are coming to me? Iesous replied, Do it now because this is appropriate for us to complete everything we are to do. Then he permitted him. Being immersed, Iesous immediately came up from the water, the skies opened to him and the Breath of God was seen descending like a dove and coming upon him. A voice from the sky said, This is my beloved son in whom I was pleased.

Comments on Chapter 4

Verse 1-Diabolos (Devil) means deceiver. Normally he does not appear in a visible form but in an attitude or deceptive thought. His trademark is the lie. He too is a breath creature and recognizable by a human breath which attempts to reveal his presence to the brain where it becomes conscious thought.

Matthew-Chapter 4

4:1-7: After that, Iesous was taken up by the Breath into a solitary place to be enticed by the deceiver. After he abstained from food and drink for forty days and nights he craved food. The one enticing him came and said to him, If you are the son of God, command these stones to become bread. He replied, It has been written, man shall not only live by bread but by every spoken word that comes through the mouth of God. Then the deceiver took him into the Holy City and stood him upon a lofty edge of the temple and said to him, If you are the son of God, jump down for, it has been written, ‘his messengers are commanded concerning you and they will carry you with their hands to prevent your feet striking a stone. Iesous responded, It is also written you shall not put the Lord your God to a test.

4:8-11: Next the deceiver took him to an extremely high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory and said to him, I will give you all of these if you will bow down and pay homage to me. Then Iesous told him, Go away Satan, for it has been written you will bow down to the Lord your God and only serve him. Then the deceiver left him and messengers came and ministered to him.

4:12-16: When he heard John had been apprehended he returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he came down into Kapharnaoum by the sea in the area of Zaboulon and Nephthalim. In so doing he fulfilled what Esaias the prophet said, Land of Zaboulon and land of Nephthalim by the sea, beyond Jordan, a settlement of Galilee. The people sitting in darkness saw a great light and for those sitting in the valley of the shadow of death, light has arisen in them.

4:17-22: From that time Iesous began to preach and say, Change the way you think for the reign of Heaven is near. While walking along the Sea of Galilaias he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother throwing a net into the sea. They were fishermen. He said to them, Come here and go with me and I will make you fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and went with him. Farther on from that place he saw another two brothers; James (Iakobon), the son of Zebedee and John (Ioannan) his brother who, like the other two were in a boat with Zebedee their father mending their nets. He called to them and they immediately left the ship and their father and went with him.

4:23-25-They walked throughout Galilee teaching in their synagogues proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing all kinds of diseases and physical problems in the people. People all over Syria who heard of him, brought to him all the sick people with various illnesses, oppressive demonic pressures, pressures from the moon, and paralysis and he healed them. Large multitudes followed him from Galililee, Decapolos, Jerusalem (Ierosolumon), Judea (Ioudaias) and on the other side of Jordan (Iordanou).

Comments on Chapter 5

Verse 3ff-The word makarios means to be blessed with the added idea of being congratulated for something. The is a version of reaping what you sow because Jesus is saying you get back the same kind of blessing you give. Verse 13- The word moraino is the source of the English word moron which means foolish. In reference to salt or bad conduct it means tasteless. (A person regarded as being very stupid.-American Heritage dictionary). Verse 16-Let your light shine-this is not doing this is being. Verse 22-Raka means empty headed or senseless; Moros means without learning or stupid; gehenna is the name given to the landfill outside Jerusalem which contained all kinds of trash, dead bodies of animals, crucified criminals and anything else considered useless. The fires were always burning and the smoke was always rising. The word hell, found in other translations, is a fabricated word. The word landfill, which is the true meaning, presents a vivid picture to anyone who saw a typical landfill before modern EPA regulations became effective.

Matthew-Chapter 5

5:1-12: Seeing the crowds, he went up to the mountain, sat down and his disciples came to him. He began to speak and teach them saying, "To be congratulated are the poor in Breath because the reign of Heaven comes from them. To be congratulated are those who are mourning because they are being called alongside. To be congratulated are the gentle because they are inheriting the land. To be congratulated are those who are hungering and thirsting for what is right because they are being satisfied. To be congratulated are those who are giving comfort because they are being comforted. To be congratulated are those who are without falsehood in the heart because they are seeing God. To be congratulated are those who make peace because they are being called the sons of God. To be congratulated are those who are being mistreated for doing what is right because from them comes the reign of Heaven. To be congratulated are you when they are shaming you; mistreating you and saying all manner of evil lies against you for my sake. Rejoice and be exhilarated; your reward in Heaven is great because, this is how they treated the prophets who came before you.

5:13-16: You are the salt of the earth but if salt is made foolish, who will it salt? It no longer has ability for anything except to be thrown out and walked on by the people. You are the light of the world. A city sitting on a mountain cannot be concealed neither is a candle lit and placed under a container for grain but upon a lampstand where it lightens the whole house. In the same way let your light shine before people so they may see your good works and praise your father in the Heavens.

5:17-20: Don’t think I came to dissolve the law or the prophets. I did not come to dissolve but to fulfill. I am telling you a fact, until the skies and earth pass away, not one minute law or punctuation mark will be deleted from the law until everything becomes an existing fact. The person who destroys a small part of one of these commandments and teaches that to people will be considered the least in the reign of Heaven. The person who practices the teaching will be considered great in the reign of Heaven. I am telling you, if your righteousness does not exceed the greatest of the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you will under no circumstances enter into the reign of Heaven.

5:21-26: You have heard from ancient times, ‘Don’t commit murder.’ The person who commits murder is bound over for judgment. But I am telling you, everyone who is continuously angry with his brother is bound over for judgment. The person who says to his brother ‘raka’ becomes liable to the Sanhedrin but, the person who calls his brother stupid becomes liable to the fires of the landfill. Therefore, if you place your gift upon the Altar of Whole Burnt Offerings and remember a grudge your brother has against you, leave your gift at the altar and go first to reconcile the mind of your brother and then offer your gift. Be quick to wish your adversary well when you meet him lest he bring charges against you before the judge and the judge give you to his subordinate to throw you into prison. I’m telling you for certain, you will not be released until you have paid the last cent.

5:27-30: You have heard it said, "You are not to commit adultery but I am telling you, everyone who looks at a woman with desire has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye becomes a snare trigger to you, pluck it out and throw it from you because it is better that one member of your body be destroyed than having your whole body thrown into the landfill. If your right hand is a snare trigger to you, sever it and throw it from you for it is better that one of your members be destroyed than having your whole body thrown into the landfill.

5:31-37: The stated rule has been if someone separates from his wife he gives her a document of divorce but I am telling you, everyone who separates from his wife, except for an admission of fornication causes her to commit adultery and whoever marries the one divorced commits adultery. Again, you have heard the rule stated by the ancients, ‘you will not swear falsely and will keep your pledge to the Lord’ but I am telling you, don’t swear at all; neither by Heaven which is the throne of God nor by earth for it is the footstool for his feet, neither by Jerusalem (Ierosoluma) because it is the city of the great king. Don’t swear by your head because you are not able to turn one hair white or black. Let your yes be yes and your no, no because, anything more than this is evil.

5:38-42: You heard it said, "An eye to replace an eye and a tooth to replace a tooth but I am telling you, do not resist the evil person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other. If a person wants to summon you to trial to take your tunic, give him also, your cloak. If someone requires you to be his mounted courier for 1,000 paces, go with him 2,000 paces. Give to the one asking and don’t refuse the one asking for a loan.

5:43-48: You heard it said, ‘Love the person close to you and detest the person who is hateful’ but, I am telling you, love the person hateful to you and pray for the person who harasses you so you can be like your father in Heaven. His sun rises upon the evil and the good and it rains upon the righteous and unrighteous. What benefit do you receive for loving those who love you? Is this not the way of the tax collector? If you are only friendly to your brother, how are you excelling? Do not the heathen do this? You be complete even as your Father in Heaven is complete."

Comments on Chapter 6

Verse 2-The Greek word hupokritai (hypocrite) means actor or pretender. Mithos means wages, reward or an advance for work to be done. Verse 13-This statement presents a scene of flowing as on a river with the request being, Don’t let us flow into problems that will try us instead, flow us away from evil. It is similar to Buddha’s Middle Way". Verse 24- The Greek word Mamona means what a person believes. Because it was transliterated many came to think it meant money. It can mean money if money is what a person trusts. The thing that prevented the Jewish leaders from accepting Jesus was their dedication to their traditional beliefs. Serving mammon is making decisions based upon existing knowledge instead of responding to an instruction from God. See preface for additional comments.

Matthew-Chapter 6

6:1-4: "Make certain your righteous deeds are not done in the sight of people to gain their admiration lest you have no benefit with your father in the Heavens. Therefore, when you do kind deeds, do not sound a trumpet before you like the pretenders are doing in the synagogues and streets so they might be glorified by men. I am telling you for certain, they are receiving their wages. When you give a gift don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so your gift remains a secret and your father, seeing your secret gift, will restore it to you.

6:5-13: When you worship, don’t be like the pretenders because they like to stand in the synagogues and on street corners praying so they can be seen by people. I am telling you a fact; they are receiving their wages. But, when you pray go into a storeroom and lock your door to pray to you Father in secret and the Father, seeing you in the secret place, will give to you. Don’t be saying repetitious prayers like the Gentiles because they are thinking they are being heard because of many words. Don’t be like them because your Father knows your needs before you ask him. Therefore, this is the manner in which you should pray: Our Father in the heavens; let your name be sacred. Let your reign come; let your wishes be done on earth the way they are done in Heaven. Give us today the food we need. Forgive us our obligations in the same way we forgive those obligated to us. Don’t lead us into trials but flow us away from the evil.

6:14-18: If you forgive people their trespasses, your Father in Heaven will forgive you but, if you won’t forgive the people, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. When you fast, don’t be like the gloomy faced pretenders who distort their faces so they appear to people to fast. I am telling you a fact; they are receiving their wages. When you fast anoint your head and wash your face so you won’t appear to people to be fasting but secretly to the Father and the Father, seeing you in the secrecy, will give to you.

6:19-23: Don’t lay up for treasure, treasures found upon the earth where a moth and consumption makes it disappear and where thieves are breaking in and stealing it. But, lay up treasure that is treasure in Heaven where neither moth nor consumption can make it disappear and where thieves are not able to break in and steal it because, where your treasure is, there is also your heart. The light of the body is the eye. If then, your eye is focused your whole body is enlightened but, if your eye is evil your whole body is darkened. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness?

6:24-26: No one is able to serve two lords because he will hate one and love the other or he will embrace one and despise the other. You are not able to serve God and what you believe. This is why I said to you, don’t be anxious in in your life about what you will eat or drink neither how you will clothe your body. Is not life greater than nourishment and the body greater than clothes? Think about the birds of the sky; they neither sow nor reap nor do they gather into storehouses yet, your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not a more precious load to carry than they?

6:27-34-Which one of you, by being anxious, can add one cubit to his allotted time? Why are you concerned about clothes? Learn how the lily in the field grows. It neither labors nor spins but I’m telling you, Solomon, in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. If God so clothes the grass of the field which exists today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, how much greater are you who have a small faith. Therefore, stop being anxious saying, what will we eat, what will we drink, what will we wear? These are the concerns of the Gentiles. Your Heavenly Father knows you need all these things. Seek first the reign of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Don’t be anxious about tomorrow for tomorrow has its own anxieties. Each day has sufficient problems."

Comments on Chapter 7

Verse 6-A dog is a metaphor for people who are friendly but have no moral standard by which to live. Not understanding the meaning of sacred, they respond without dignity or respect to things of God. A swine is a metaphor for a brutish, thick-skinned person who is unwilling to be taught or led. They have no concept of something as valuable as a pearl. These are people who are hard core traditionalists or are protective of what they already know. Holy represents things of God and pearls are metaphors for the immense value of truth. Trying to share truth with swine type people will result in them becoming hostile in defense of their limited understanding. Verse 13-The tense of the verb to lead is aorist which refers to something that occurred in the past. People continue to choose that way.

Matthew-Chapter 7

7:1-5: "Don’t criticize so you won’t be criticized because, in the same way you criticize you will criticized and the standard you use to measure will be the way you are measured. How are you able to see the straw in your brother’s eye but not observe the beam in your eye? Or, how can you say to your brother, ‘I will remove the straw from your eye’ and be able to see with the beam is in your eye. Pretender, first take the beam out of your eye and then you will be able to see clearly to take the straw out of your brother’s eye.

7:6-11: Don’t give sacred things to dogs and never throw your pearls in front of swine lest they trample them with their feet and, turning back, rend you. Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you because, everyone asking is receiving, the person seeking is finding and to the one knocking, it will be opened. Who is a man among you whose son is asking for bread; (No)