“They will say.
‘This man began
To build it,
But was not able
To finish it.’”
λέγοντες ὅτι Οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἤρξατο οἰκοδομεῖν καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσεν ἐκτελέσαι.
Luke uniquely indicated that Jesus said that the other people would say (λέγοντες) that this man began to build it (ὅτι Οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἤρξατο οἰκοδομεῖν), but was not able to finish it (καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσεν ἐκτελέσαι). This conclusion was simple. Do not start what you cannot finish! Have you ever starting something without finishing it?
“Which of you,
Intending
To build
A tower,
Does not first
Sit down
And calculate
The cost?
You have to see
Whether you have enough
To complete it.”
Τίς γὰρ ἐξ ὑμῶν θέλων πύργον οἰκοδομῆσαι οὐχὶ πρῶτον καθίσας ψηφίζει τὴν δαπάνην, εἰ ἔχει εἰς ἀπαρτισμόν;
Luke uniquely has Jesus tell this story about intending or wishing to build a tower (Τίς γὰρ ἐξ ὑμῶν θέλων πύργον οἰκοδομῆσαι). Did they not first sit down (οὐχὶ πρῶτον καθίσας) and calculate the cost (ψηφίζει τὴν δαπάνην)? They would want to see if they had enough money to complete it (εἰ ἔχει εἰς ἀπαρτισμόν). Luke uniquely used the word ἀπαρτισμόν that means completion or perfection. This story about building a tower would assume a sophistication on the part of his audience. Very few people would have enough assets to build a tower. Do you calculate the cost of things before you start something?
“Those who passed by
Derided Jesus.
They were shaking
Their heads.
Saying.
‘Aha!
You who would destroy
The Temple
And build it
In three days,
Save yourself!
Come down
From the cross!’”
Καὶ οἱ παραπορευόμενοι ἐβλασφήμουν αὐτὸν κινοῦντες τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν καὶ λέγοντες Οὐὰ ὁ καταλύων τὸν ναὸν καὶ οἰκοδομῶν ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις,
σῶσον σεαυτὸν καταβὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ σταυροῦ.
This is almost word for word in Matthew, chapter 27:39-40. In Luke, chapter 23:35-37, the religious leaders and the soldiers were doing the mocking, not the passersby people. However, John did not have anyone making remarks about Jesus. Mark said that some people passing by abused and derided Jesus (Καὶ οἱ παραπορευόμενοι ἐβλασφήμουν αὐτὸν). They shook their heads at Jesus (κινοῦντες τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν). They said “Aha! (Οὐὰ),” as they reminded Jesus that he had said (καὶ λέγοντες) if the Temple was destroyed (ὁ καταλύων τὸν ναὸν), he would rebuild it in three days (καὶ οἰκοδομῶν ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις). They told Jesus to save himself (σῶσον σεαυτὸν). Why didn’t he come down from the cross (καταβὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ σταυροῦ)? The taunting of these people seemed to turn on Jesus’ own words. It would be surprising if many people came by the cross.
“They said.
‘We heard him say.
‘I will destroy
This Temple
That is made
With human hands.
Then in three days,
I will build another,
Not made
With human hands.’”
ὅτι Ἡμεῖς ἠκούσαμεν αὐτοῦ λέγοντος ὅτι Ἐγὼ καταλύσω τὸν ναὸν τοῦτον τὸν χειροποίητον καὶ διὰ τριῶν ἡμερῶν ἄλλον ἀχειροποίητον οἰκοδομήσω.
This is similar to Matthew, chapter 26:60-61, who said that at last 2 witnesses came forward to speak out. There was nothing like this in Luke, chapter 22, and John, chapter 18. Mark indicated that someone said that they had heard this man saying (ὅτι Ἡμεῖς ἠκούσαμεν αὐτοῦ λέγοντος) that he was going to destroy this Temple made by human hands (ὅτι Ἐγὼ καταλύσω τὸν ναὸν τοῦτον τὸν χειροποίητον). Matthew had called it the Temple of God (τὸν ναὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ). Then Jesus said that he would build another Temple in three days (καὶ διὰ τριῶν ἡμερῶν ἄλλον οἰκοδομήσω) without human hands (ἀχειροποίητον). There was no indication of when these witnesses said that Jesus had uttered these words.
The fourth narrative section revealed the increasing opposition to Jesus. Thus, his disciples had to prepare for his absence. These instructions emphasized responsibility and humility. Simon was renamed Peter, the rock upon which he was going to build his church, especially the mystery of the kingdom of heaven.
While Jesus was preaching in the various towns, John the Baptist was put in prison. The disciples of John questioned Jesus and Jesus responded. Jesus then asked questions about John. Was John more than a prophet? Then Matthew had a series of Old Testament scriptural quotations about John. How great was John the Baptist? Was John Elijah?
Jesus warned that this was a childish generation that was indifferent as they kept on eating and drinking, as if nothing important was happening. Jesus was against the various Galilean cities and towns, especially Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. Jesus explained that there were hidden things from the wise ones, especially the relationship of the Father with the Son, but that the disciples had an easy yoke to bear.
Next came the question of eating on the Sabbath. The Pharisees reacted against Jesus, but he used the example of David and the priests in the Temple to respond to them. God was the Lord of the Sabbath. Thus, when Jesus went into the synagogue, they asked him if he would heal anyone on the Sabbath? Jesus compared sheep to human beings and then healed the man’s hand. Thus, the Pharisees conspired against Jesus, while he took a low profile.
Jesus said that the fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah was at hand in the servant of Yahweh. Jesus cured the blind and mute man as the crowds were amazed. However, the Pharisees compared Jesus to Beelzebul, the devil. Jesus responded that a divided kingdom would not stand. The Spirit of God was with Jesus. The bandits tied up people before stealing from them. You were either for or against Jesus. They should be aware of the sin against the Holy Spirit.
Jesus then issued a series of sayings about a tree and its fruit. He compared the Pharisees to a brood of vipers. There could be good and bad treasures. Words would either save or condemn them.
Jesus told them about the sign for this evil generation that was always seeking signs. He was only going to give them the sign of Jonah. Notice how the men of Nineveh reacted. The Queen of Sheba brought gifts to Solomon. The unclean spirit would return with other evil spirits. The relatives of Jesus, his mother and brothers showed up, but Jesus said that he had a new family.
Then Jesus spoke in parables siting in a boat by the sea. There was the parable of the sower with his lost seeds, where only a few of the seeds fell on good soil. His disciples wanted to know why he was speaking in parables, so that Jesus explained why he used parables. Once again, he referred to a prophecy of Isaiah. He explained about the seeds on the rocky ground and the seeds among the thorns. Finally, he explained the meaning of the seeds on good ground or path since they were the blessed ones.
Then there was the parable about the weeds among the wheat. The slaves let the weeds grow and then separated them at harvest time. There were other parables about the mustard seed and the yeast. Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, but he explained these parables to his disciples, especially the sower, the field, and the seeds. He explained the enemy and the burning of the weeds. The punishment for the weeds came at the harvest end times. Thus, the reward for the righteous will be at the end times.
The kingdom of heaven was like a treasure, like pearls, and like a fishing net. Jesus explained the parables because the disciples did not understand them. They were like new and old treasures.
Jesus was an astonishment in his own home town. They all knew the family of Jesus. Thus, he was a prophet without honor in his own country.
Herod thought that Jesus was a resurrected John the Baptist, but he was afraid of John the Baptist. At his birthday party, Herod granted the wish to have the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Meanwhile, John the Baptist’s disciples buried him.
Jesus was worried as he was healing the sick people. The disciples complained about the crowds, so that Jesus told them to give them something to eat. However, they only had five loaves and two fish. Then Jesus blessed the five loaves of bread and distributed them to the crowd. There were even leftovers from this crowd of five thousand people.
The disciples left in a boat, so that Jesus prayed alone. The boat was in the middle of the sea when Jesus walked on water to come to them. Peter talked to Jesus and then attempted to walk on the water. Jesus then saved Peter who recognized Jesus as the Son of God. Then there were the healings at Gennesaret, where Jesus cured the sick.
The Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus to ask him why his disciples did not wash their hands before eating. Jesus responded by telling them to honor their parents since there was hypocrisy in their traditions. He cited Isaiah about vain worship. He told them to hear and understand. They should watch what came out of their mouth rather than what went into their mouth as defilement. The Pharisees were offended, but Jesus called them blind guides. Peter wanted to understand more so that Jesus explained the mouth should speak from the heart.
Jesus went to the coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon where he met a Canaanite woman. He said that he was only going to the lost sheep of Israel, but this Canaanite woman persistently asked for help. Jesus refused again saying that he could not feed the dogs. However, she responded that dogs eat crumbs from the table. Jesus said that she had great faith and healed her.
As Jesus healed the crowds of people in the mountain near the Sea of Galilee, he had compassion for them. Where will they get food? His disciples said that they had seven loaves. Jesus then gave thanks over them and distributed the bread to four thousand men as there was a second multiplication of bread loaves.
Jesus went to Magadan. There the Pharisees asked for a sign from heaven. Once again, Jesus said that there are weather signs, but he would only give this evil generation the sign of Jonah.
The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, but Jesus warned them about the yeast of the Pharisees. He reprimanded his disciples for their lack of faith as he reminded them about the multiplication of the loaves of bread. They should be worried about the Pharisees not food.
What was the role of Peter? Jesus asked about the Son of Man as the disciples responded. Then Jesus asked them about himself. Peter gave a very positive response, so that Jesus rewarded him. The Messianic secret was tied to the future of Jesus in this conversation between Peter and Jesus. He would have to take up his cross if wanted to save his life because the Son of Man in his kingdom would be coming soon.
Jesus took three of his apostles up a mountain where he was transfigured before them. Moses and Elijah appeared with him. Peter wanted to set up three tents for them. A voice from the cloud came as the three apostles adored him. Jesus asked them to be silent about this. What was the role of Elijah and John the Baptist?
An epileptic man knelt before Jesus that his disciples were unable to heal. Jesus then healed him, so that his disciples wondered why they were unable to heal this epileptic? Jesus spoke about the future of the Son of Man. Should they pay the Temple tax? Jesus responded that the son of the king did not pay taxes, but he told Peter to pay them anyway.
Finally, we have the ecclesiastical discourse about who is the greatest. A child is the greatest because when you welcome a little child, you welcome Jesus. They were not to cause children to sin. They were not to tempt people. It would be better to be maimed and blind than suffer eternal fire. They were not to despise the little ones. Jesus explained the parable of the lost sheep and fraternal correction. What were you to do with a sinning brother. Let him become a gentile, if he does not listen. Common prayer was important so that they should gather in his name. How often should they forgive? The response was the seventy times seven.
Then there was the parable of the unforgiving servant slave. The master settled accounts with servant slaves. One owed ten thousand talents, so that the king forgave him his debt. However, this servant slave would not forgive the debt of his fellow slaves, who were angry. Thus, this unforgiving slave was tortured. This parable explanation was simple, forgive your brothers.
This second narrative centered around the Sermon on the Mount and the famous so-called Beatitudes. The first beatitude was about poverty, while the second beatitude was about mourning. The third beatitude was about the meek or the humble. The fourth beatitude was about righteousness. The fifth beatitude was on mercy, while the sixth beatitude was about the pure of heart. The seventh beatitude was on peacemakers, while the eighth beatitude was on persecution. There was a grand blessing for the persecuted Christians, who were the salt of the earth and the light of the world. They had to value and become the lighted lamp.
Next came the law and the prophets. The law with all its commandments remained. The righteous ones would not murder, nor would they get angry with insults. They would offer their gifts at the Temple. They would pay their debts and not commit adultery. Jesus warned against the sinning eye and the sinning right hand. He favored the traditional divorce stance, but warned about marrying a divorced woman. They should not bear false witness, nor swear at all, since they should have a simple speech. No longer was it an eye for an eye, but rather turn the other cheek with unusual kindness. They were to love their enemies and their heavenly Father with a perfect love.
The followers of Jesus should fast and pray. We should have piety with almsgiving. Our charity and prayer should be secret with short prayers. Thus, there was the famous “Our Father” prayer. The first part of the Lord’s prayer was about God the Father. The second part of the Lord’s prayer was about our human problems. We should seek forgiveness and fast in secret. We should not want earthly treasures, but heavenly treasures. We need to have a healthy eye because we cannot serve two masters.
We should trust in Providence. We do not need to worry. Just look at the birds who do not worry. The lilies of the field have more beauty than Solomon in all his glory. Seek the kingdom of heaven first and you will not have to worry about tomorrow.
As far as judgment was concerned, do not judge the speck in the eye of your neighbor. Be careful with your holy treasures. Be seekers and give to your sons. Pray to your heavenly Father and follow the golden rule. The gate was narrow and there were many false prophets. Know them by their fruits. The sound tree has good fruits. Cut down the bad tree. Seek the kingdom of heaven. Stay away from evildoers. Wise men build on a rock foundation, while the foolish ones build on a sand foundation. The crowds were astonished at the authority of Jesus.
“Those who passed by
Derided him.
They shook
Their heads.
They said.
‘You who would destroy
The Temple,
And then build it
In three days,
Save yourself!
If you are
The Son of God,
Come down
From the cross.’”
Οἱ δὲ παραπορευόμενοι ἐβλασφήμουν αὐτὸν κινοῦντες τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν
καὶ λέγοντες Ὁ καταλύων τὸν ναὸν καὶ ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις οἰκοδομῶν, σῶσον σεαυτόν, εἰ Υἱὸς εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ κατάβηθι ἀπὸ τοῦ σταυροῦ.
This is almost word for word in Mark, chapter 15:29-30. In Luke, chapter 23:35, the religious leaders were doing the mocking. However, John did not have anyone making remarks about Jesus. Matthew said that some passing by people abused and derided Jesus (Οἱ δὲ παραπορευόμενοι ἐβλασφήμουν αὐτὸν). They shook their heads at Jesus (κινοῦντες τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν). They reminded Jesus (καὶ λέγοντες) that he had said if the Temple was destroyed (Ὁ καταλύων τὸν ναὸν), he would rebuild it in three days (καὶ ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις οἰκοδομῶν). They told Jesus to save himself (σῶσον σεαυτόν). If he was the Son of God (εἰ Υἱὸς εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ), why didn’t he come down from the cross (καὶ κατάβηθι ἀπὸ τοῦ σταυροῦ). The taunting of these people seemed to turn on Jesus’ own words.
“Woe to you!
Scribes!
Woe to you!
Pharisees!
Hypocrites!
You build the tombs
Of the prophets.
You decorate the graves
Of the righteous.
You say.
‘If we had lived
In the days
Of our ancestors,
We would not have taken part
With them
In shedding the blood
Of the prophets.’”
Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι ὑποκριταί, ὅτι οἰκοδομεῖτε τοὺς τάφους τῶν προφητῶν καὶ κοσμεῖτε τὰ μνημεῖα τῶν δικαίων,
καὶ λέγετε Εἰ ἤμεθα ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, οὐκ ἂν ἤμεθα αὐτῶν κοινωνοὶ ἐν τῷ αἵματι τῶν προφητῶν.
There is something similar in Luke, chapter 11:47-48. Jesus continued to curse the Pharisees and the Scribes, much like earlier in verses 13, 14, 15, 25, and 27. The first part of this diatribe is exactly the same as those earlier verses. Woe to you (Οὐαὶ ὑμῖν)! Scribes (γραμματεῖς)! Woe to you! Pharisees (καὶ Φαρισαῖοι)! Hypocrites (ὑποκριταί)! This time it was how they and their ancestors had treated the prophets of Israel. They built the tombs of the prophets (ὅτι οἰκοδομεῖτε τοὺς τάφους τῶν προφητῶν) and decorated the graves or tombs of the righteous (καὶ κοσμεῖτε τὰ μνημεῖα τῶν δικαίων). These Pharisees said that if they had lived in the days of their ancestors or fathers (καὶ λέγετε Εἰ ἤμεθα ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν), they would not have participated in the shedding of the blood of these prophets (οὐκ ἂν ἤμεθα αὐτῶν κοινωνοὶ ἐν τῷ αἵματι τῶν προφητῶν). The problem is that there were not that many prophets murdered.
“I tell you!
You are Peter!
On this rock
I will build my church.
The gates of Hades
Shall not prevail against it.
I will give you
The keys
To the kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind
On earth
Shall be bound
In heaven.
Whatever you loose
On earth
Shall be loosed
In heaven.”
κἀγὼ δέ σοι λέγω ὅτι σὺ εἶ Πέτρος, καὶ ἐπὶ ταύτῃ τῇ πέτρᾳ οἰκοδομήσω μου τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ πύλαι Ἅιδου οὐ κατισχύσουσιν αὐτῆς.
δώσω σοι τὰς κλεῖδας τῆς βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν, καὶ ὃ ἐὰν δήσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται δεδεμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, καὶ ὃ ἐὰν λύσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται λελυμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.
This reward bestowal of power on Peter is unique to Matthew. Jesus, via Matthew, asserted the authority of Peter in a very formal way with a solemn pronouncement (κἀγὼ δέ σοι λέγω). Peter (ὅτι σὺ εἶ Πέτρος) was going to be the rock of Jesus’ new church community (καὶ ἐπὶ ταύτῃ τῇ πέτρᾳ οἰκοδομήσω μου τὴν ἐκκλησίαν). Notice the play on words of Peter “Πέτρος” and rock “πέτρᾳ.” The gates of hell (καὶ πύλαι Ἅιδου) would not prevail (οὐ κατισχύσουσιν αὐτῆς) against this rock of a church, congregation, or assembly “ἐκκλησία.” Matthew is the only biblical writer to use the phrase “gates of hell or Hades” (πύλαι Ἅιδου).” Peter would receive the keys to the kingdom of heaven (δώσω σοι τὰς κλεῖδας τῆς βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν), as the gatekeeper of heaven. Whatever he did on earth would be bound (καὶ ὃ ἐὰν δήσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται δεδεμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς) or loosed in heaven (καὶ ὃ ἐὰν λύσῃς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται λελυμένον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς). Peter was no longer a mere informal leader, but the true man in charge here on earth with heavenly consequences, much like the Israelite high priests. This of course has led to the so-called Petrine privilege, the power of Peter as handed down via the bishop of Rome. As the first bishop of Rome, the power of Peter passed on to the bishop successors of Peter in Rome. Thus, the bishop of Rome became known as the Pope or papa of the Christian Church in later centuries.
“Take the silver!
Take the gold!
Make a crown!
Set it upon the head
Of the high priest Joshua,
The son of Jehozadak!
Say to him!
‘Thus says Yahweh of hosts.
Here is a man whose name
Is the Branch.
He shall branch out
In his place.
He shall build
The temple of Yahweh.
It is he who shall build
The temple of Yahweh.
He shall bear royal honor.
He shall sit
Upon his throne,
Where he shall rule.
There shall be a priest
By his throne,
With peaceful understanding
Between the two of them.’”
Yahweh wanted the prophet Zechariah to take the gold and silver that the former exile captives had given him and make a crown out it. He was to set this crown on the head of the high priest Joshua, the son of Jehozadak. Perhaps this is a mistake and maybe it should be Governor Zerubbabel, since this ruler ends up with a priest by his side. This newly crowned person would be the branch that would spread out. He was the one who was going to build the temple of Yahweh. Thus, he would have a royal honor and sit on a throne ruling the people. However, they were still under Persian jurisdiction. Both the priest and this new ruler would get along peacefully.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 