Year ASeason after PentecostProper 24 (29) Matthew 22:15-22 Contextual Background: Religious leaders test Jesus with a political trap: is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar? Jesus asks for a coin, points to Caesar’s image, and replies: “Give to Caesar what is […]
Year ASeason after PentecostProper 22 (27)Matthew 21:33-46 Contextual Background: Jesus tells of a king who invites guests to a wedding banquet. The invited refuse, so the king gathers strangers from the streets. Yet one guest without a wedding garment is cast out. […]
Year ASeason after PentecostProper 21 (26)Matthew 21:23-32 Contextual Background: Jesus tells a parable of tenants who kill the landowner’s servants and son. The kingdom, he says, will be given to those who produce its fruits. This is in the context of a […]
Year ASeason after PentecostProper 20 (25) Matthew 20:1-16 Contextual Background: Jesus tells a parable of workers hired at different times but all paid the same. Those hired first grumble, but the landowner insists on his right to be generous. Within the Jewish […]
Year ASeason after PentecostProper 19 (24) Matthew 18:21-35 Contextual Background: Peter asks how many times to forgive. Jesus replies, “Seventy times seven.” He tells of a servant forgiven a great debt who refuses to forgive a smaller debt, and is condemned. This […]
Year ASeason after PentecostProper 18 (23)Matthew 18:15-20 Contextual Background: Jesus teaches about reconciliation within the community: if someone sins, go to them privately; if they refuse, bring witnesses; if they still refuse, treat them as a Gentile or tax collector. He concludes: […]
Year ASeason after PentecostProper 17 (22) Matthew 16:21-28 Contextual Background: After Peter confesses Jesus as Messiah, Jesus predicts his suffering and death. Peter resists; Jesus rebukes him. He then calls the disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow. The […]
Year ASeason after PentecostProper 16 (21) Matthew 16:13-20 Contextual Background: At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responds: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus blesses him and declares, “On this rock […]
Year ASeason after PentecostProper 15 (20) Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28 Contextual Background: A Canaanite woman begs Jesus to heal her daughter. At first, Jesus refuses, citing his mission to Israel. She persists, saying, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from […]
Year ASeason after PentecostProper 14 (19)Matthew 14:22-33 Contextual Background: Jesus walks on the sea to meet the disciples in a storm. Peter steps out but begins to sink when he fears. Jesus reaches out: “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” […]