At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

He told them, “Don’t collect any more than what you have been authorized.”

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

But the news about him spread even more, and large crowds would come together to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”

Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.” “You have judged correctly,” he told him.

Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

“You give them something to eat,” he told them. “We have no more than five loaves and two fish,” they said, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.”

I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.

But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons he trusted in, and divides up his plunder.

Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that person’s last condition is worse than the first.”

The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and look—something greater than Solomon is here.

The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s preaching, and look—something greater than Jonah is here.

Fear God

“I say to you, my friends, don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more.

Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.

Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?

If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he do for you—you of little faith?

But the one who did not know and did what deserved punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected.

And he responded to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all the other Galileans because they suffered these things?

Or those eighteen that the tower in Siloam fell on and killed—do you think they were more sinful than all the other people who live in Jerusalem?