Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

For this reason also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’

Then people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and take their places at the banquet table in the kingdom of God.

When one of those at the meal with Jesus heard this, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will feast in the kingdom of God!”

For a while he refused, but later on he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor have regard for people,

Won’t God give justice to his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long to help them?

In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

(He had not consented to their plan and action.) He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God.

On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him.

How can you believe, if you accept praise from one another and don’t seek the praise that comes from the only God?

It is written in the prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who hears and learns from the Father comes to me.

But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth I heard from God. Abraham did not do this!

The Jewish leaders replied, “We are not going to stone you for a good deed but for blasphemy, because you, a man, are claiming to be God.”

Now we know that you know everything and do not need anyone to ask you anything. Because of this we believe that you have come from God.”

The Jewish leaders replied, “We have a law, and according to our law he ought to die, because he claimed to be the Son of God!”

(Now Jesus said this to indicate clearly by what kind of death Peter was going to glorify God.) After he said this, Jesus told Peter, “Follow me.”

But God raised him up, having released him from the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held in its power.