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The Testimony of Yeshua
Matthew 25-28 (The Gabriel Version)
Wise and Foolish Virgins
6 At midnight someone shouted: ‘The bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him.’ 7 Then all the virgins woke up and prepared their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil because our lamps have gone out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘We must refuse because there isn’t enough for all of us. Go to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’
10 While they were out buying oil, the bridegroom came. Those who were prepared went with him into the wedding hall and the door was shut. 11 Later the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Master, master, open the door for us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘I am certain that I don’t know you.’ 13 So be watching because you don’t know the precise day or hour [4].
Analogy of the Ten Minin
14 The Human Son is like a man who called his servants and entrusted them with his property before going on a long trip. 15 He gave one five minin, another two, and another one, based on their ability. Then he immediately went on his journey. 16 The one who received five minin went and did business with it and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one with two minin gained two more. 18 But the one who received one mani went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 After a long time their master returned and reviewed their accounts. 20 The one who had received five minin came and brought five more. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five minin. Look, I’ve earned five more by doing business.’ 21 His master replied, ‘You have done well, good and faithful servant! Since you’ve been faithful with a little, I’ll put you in charge of much more. Enter into the joy of your master!’ 22 The one who had received two minin came and said, ‘Master, you gave me two minin. Look, I have earned two more.’ 23 His master replied, ‘You have done well, good and faithful servant. Since you’ve been trustworthy with a little, I’ll put you over much more. Enter into the joy of your master!’
24 Then the one who had received the one mani came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a stern man, harvesting where you haven’t sown, and gathering where you haven’t scattered any seeds. 25 And I was afraid, so I hid your mani in the ground. Look, here is your mani.’ 26 His master told him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! You knew that I harvest where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered any seeds. 27 You should have thrown my money into a bank, so that I could have returned and gotten my property with interest. 28 So take the mani from 'that servant' and give it to the one who has ten minin. 29 Anyone who has will be given more, and they’ll have an abundance, but for the one who doesn’t have anything, even what they have custody of will be taken away. 30 Throw this worthless servant into outer darkness, where there’ll be crying and grinding of teeth.’
The Clueless Sheep and Goats
31 When the Human Son comes in His splendor, and all His spirit messengers with Him, He’ll sit on the throne of His splendor. 32 All the nations will be gathered in front of Him, and He’ll separate them from each other, just like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He’ll put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.
34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father! Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 I was hungry and you gave Me some food, I was thirsty and you gave Me a drink, I was a stranger and you took Me home. 36 I needed clothes and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you cared for Me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 And the righteous will ask Him, ‘Master, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? 38 When did we see that You were a stranger and take You home, or needing clothes and give You some? 39 When did we see You sick or in prison and come to You’ [5]? 40 The King will reply, ‘I can say with certainty that whenever you did anything for one of My brothers, who others thought of as insignificant, you did it for Me.’
41 Then He’ll say to those on His left, 'Go back to your journey away from' Me. You are doomed to the everlasting fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 When I was hungry you didn’t give Me any food. When I was thirsty you didn’t give Me anything to drink. 43 When I was a stranger you didn’t take Me home, when I needed clothes you didn’t give Me any, when I was sick and in prison you didn’t visit Me. 44 Then they’ll reply, ‘Master, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison and not help You?’ 45 Then He will reply, ‘I am certain that whenever you didn’t do anything for one of those 'insignificant' ones, you didn’t do anything for Me. 46 They’ll go away for an eternal punishment [6], but the righteous to eternal Life.’”
[1] A few Greek texts, such as the Diatessaron also mention the bride, as does the Latin Vulgate. This rules out the fantasy that Yeshua will marry all ten virgins (“the church”). No, they are ten bridesmaids! The lamps represent the light of truth. Buying oil represents buying the source of knowledge (Proverbs 23:23—the 'special' spirit isn’t for sale.) The bride includes the people of Israel (Jeremiah 3:14), the land of Israel (Isaiah 62:4-5) and New Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel (Revelation 21:9-10), but never a church or resurrected believers (Luke 20:35)! [2] The root word for foolish has to do with: “a. generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals.” [3] for 2,000 years [4] Even tho “you know that He is near the door!” (24:33) [5] See why these “righteous” are ignorant about the Kingdom! [6] The Gr. root word of “penalty” is kolazo: “to cut off or prune, as trees and wings.”
Yeshua (Jesus), Our Passover Lamb
3 Then the high priests and the Torah teachers and the elders of the people gathered in the court of the palace of Caiaphas the high priest. 4 They conspired against Yeshua intending to take Him by treachery and kill Him. 5 But they said, “Not on a Feast day because there would be a riot among the people.”
6 When Yeshua was in Bethany in the home of Simon the potter [1], 7 a woman came to Him with a jar of very valuable aromatic ointment, and she poured it on Yeshua’s head as He was reclining. 8 When His disciples saw this they were upset and asked, “Why this waste? 9 This ointment could have been sold for a lot of money and given to the poor.”
10 But Yeshua was aware of their dissatisfaction and asked them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done something precious for Me. 11 You’ll always have the poor with you, but I won’t always be with you. 12 She has poured the ointment on My body as if to prepare Me for burial. 13 I am certain that wherever My Good News is proclaimed anywhere in the world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
Judas Betrays Yeshua
17 On the First Day of Unleavened Bread [Preparation Day] the disciples came to Yeshua and asked Him, “Where do You want us to make preparations for You to eat the Passover?” 18 He told them, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘Our Master says, My time approaches, NEAR you I’ll do the Passover with My disciples.’” 19 The disciples did as Yeshua directed them and made the necessary preparations for the Passover.
20 That evening He reclined with His twelve disciples. 21 As they were eating He said, “I am certain that one of you will betray Me.”
22 They were greatly troubled, and one after another began to ask Him, “Master, is it I?” 23 He said, “The one who dips his hand with Me in the bowl will betray Me. 24 The Human Son must go as it is written of Him, but pity the man who betrays the Human Son. It would have been better for that man if he had never been born.”
25 Judas the betrayer asked, “Rabbi, is it I?” Yeshua told him, “You have said it yourself.” 26 While they were eating, Yeshua took a loaf of bread [2], and after blessing it, broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take this and eat it. This is My body.” 27 He took the cup and offered thanks and gave it to them and said, “All of you drink from it. 28 This is My blood of the New Covenant [3] that is poured out on behalf of many to release them from the bondage of sins. 29 I’m telling you that I’ll no longer drink any of the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink a new kind [4] [5] with you in the Kingdom of Yehovah.”
30 Then they sang a pascal Psalm and headed toward the Mount of Olives.
Yeshua Predicts Cephas’ Denial
31 Then Yeshua told them, “You’ll all desert Me tonight, because it’s written, ‘I’ll strike the Shepherd and the sheep of His flock will be widely scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I’ll go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 Cephas replied, “Even if everyone else abandons You, I’ll never be offended by You.” 34 Yeshua replied, “You can be certain that tonight before a rooster crows, you’ll disown Me three times!” 35 Cephas said, “Even if I have to die with you, I won’t disown You”, and all the other disciples said the same thing.36 Then Yeshua went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Cephas and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be anguished and very distressed. 38 He told them, “My consciousness [psyche, Gr: psuche] is overcome with sorrow to the point of death. Wait for Me here and watch with Me.”
39 Going a little further, He fell face down and prayed, “Father, if it is possible, allow this cup to pass away from Me. Yet not what I want, but whatever You want.”
40 He came to His disciples and found them asleep and He said to Cephas, “So, couldn’t you watch with Me for a single hour? 41 Wake up and pray so that you don’t fall into temptation. The mind is ready but the body is weak.
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “Father, if it is impossible for this cup to pass without My drinking it, Your will be done.”
43 When He came back, He found them sleeping again. They couldn’t keep their eyes open. 44 So He left them again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing.
45 Then He came back to the disciples and said, “So you are already asleep and resting [6]! Look, the hour has come and the Human Son is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let’s go. Look, My betrayer is here!”
Betrayal and Arrest
47 While He was still speaking, Judas the betrayer, one of the twelve arrived, and a large crowd with swords and clubs was with him. They were sent from the high priests and elders of the people. 48 Judas the betrayer had given them a signal. He said, “The One I kiss is the One, arrest Him.” 49 Immediately he approached Yeshua, and said, “Peace, Rabbi”! And He kissed Him. 50 Yeshua responded by saying, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then they came up and grabbed Yeshua and arrested Him. 51 Then someone with Yeshua drew his sword and struck an underling of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 Then Yeshua told him, “Put your sword back where it belongs, because those who draw swords die by swords. 53 Don’t you think that I could ask My Father to send Me more than twelve legions of spirit messengers right now? 54 But how else would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say that this must happen?”
55 At that time Yeshua asked the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to take Me as if I were a cutthroat [or robber]? I sat with you daily and taught in the Temple and you didn’t arrest Me.
Yeshua Faces the Sanhedrin
57 Those who arrested Yeshua took Him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the Torah teachers and elders were gathered. 58 Simon Cephas followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard where he went inside and sat with the underlings to see what would happen.
59 The high priests and the elders and the entire assembly were trying to find witnesses against Yeshua, in order to put Him to death. 60 But they didn’t find any, tho many false witnesses came forward. Finally two others came forward, 61 who declared, “This Man said, ‘I can destroy Yehovah’s Temple and rebuild it in three days.’” 62 The high priest stood up and asked Him, “Aren’t You going to respond to what these men are testifying against You?” 63 But Yeshua was silent. Then the high priest said, “I adjure you by the living Aloha [God] to tell us if You are the Messiah, Yehovah’s Son.” 64 Yeshua replied, “You have correctly stated it. But I’m telling you that in the future you’ll see the Human Son sitting on the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds in the sky”.
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need witnesses? Look, you’ve heard His blasphemy! 66 What’s your judgment?” They replied, “He deserves death”.
67 Then they spit in His face and hit Him with their fists. Others slapped Him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us You Messiah, who hit You?”
Cephas Denies Yeshua
69 Cephas was sitting outside in the court of the palace, and a servant girl approached him and said, “You were also with Yeshua the Nazarene.” 70 But he denied it in front of everyone by saying, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 71 As he went out to the gateway another girl saw him and said, “This man was with Yeshua the Nazarene.” 72 Again he denied it swearing, “I don’t know the Man.” 73 A little later, bystanders came up and said to Cephas, “Certainly you are also one of them. We can tell by your accent.” 74 Then he began to curse and swore, “I don’t know the Man.” Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Cephas remembered that Yeshua had told him, “Before a rooster crows you’ll disown Me three times.” Then he went outside and cried bitterly.[1] Leper and potter look almost identical in Aramaic, resulting in the Greek translational error. Yeshua didn’t neglect to heal a “leper” Friend in v.6! See the explanation here using the keyword “potter”.
[2] This was not unleavened bread because it was Yeshua’s Supper-Preparation Day for the Passover tomorrow. That’s why the Greek specifies it was a loaf of risen bread [as in Matthew 4:3 & 14:17]: “From airo; bread (as raised) or a loaf -- (shew-)bread, loaf.” It was as thick as a man’s thumb, easily broken, not cut.
[3] Most modern translations omit the word “new” here, siding with a small minority of Greek texts. Some few others say “renewed” here, claiming that the original Hebrew source of the term in Jeremiah 31:31 is “renewed”. Yet only the root word there is “renew”. Chadash khaw-dawsh’ is new, while chadash khaw-dash’ (with a different vowel point) is renew, such as “renew {02318} the face of the earth” or “renew {02318} a right spirit within me.” Nevertheless, there are no specified differences between the covenants other than the promised land being an eternal thing.
[4] Compare the traditional “drink it anew” of v.29 with Luke 5:39.
[5] The timing and circumstances of v.29 are explained in Did the “Lord’s Supper” Replace the Passover?
[6] See why the Greek might mean something different. Keywords sleep on.
Yeshua Handed Over to Pilate
5 He hurled the silver into the Temple, left, and went out and hanged himself.
6 The high priests picked up the silver and said, “It isn’t lawful to put it into the treasury since it is blood money.” 7 So they decided to spend the money on the purchase of the Potter’s Field as a burial ground for strangers. 8 That’s why the field is called the Field of Blood to this very day. 9 Then the words of the prophet were fulfilled [1], “I took the thirty shekels of silver, the price of the Precious One who the sons of Israel had priced, 10 and gave them for the Potter’s Field, as Yehovah directed.”
11 Yeshua stood before the governor, and the governor asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Yeshua answered, “It is as you say.”
12 Yet when the high priests and elders made accusations against Him, He didn’t reply. 13 Then Pilate asked Him, “Don’t You hear what they are charging You with?” 14 But He didn’t answer him, not even one word, to Pilate’s great amazement.
Barabbas Freed
15 On each Feast day the governor customarily released to the people one prisoner—whoever they wanted. 16 They had in bonds a notorious prisoner named Bar Abas. 17 When the people had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Who should I release to you, Bar Abas or Yeshua who is called the Messiah?” 18 Pilate knew that it was out of envy that they had arrested Him.
19 As the governor was sitting in on his tribunal, his wife sent a message to him. It said, “Don’t allow an incident between you and that Righteous One, because I have suffered greatly today in a dream about Him.” 20 But the high priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to demand Bar Abas and destroy Yeshua.
21 The governor asked them again, “Which of the two should I release for you?” And they shouted, “Bar Abas”. 22 Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with Yeshua who is called the Messiah? They all shouted, “He should be crucified”. 23 The governor asked them, “But what evil has He done?” But they croaked all the more, “He should be crucified”.
24 So when Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere and that a riot was starting, he took some water and washed his hands in front of the crowd and said, “I’m innocent of the blood of this innocent Man. See to it yourselves.”
25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
26 Then he released Bar Abas to them, but he had Yeshua scourged with whips and handed Him over to be crucified.
Soldiers Mock Yeshua
27 Then the Governor’s soldiers took Yeshua into the Praetorium and the whole detachment surrounded Him. 28 They stripped Him and put a scarlet military robe on Him. 29 They twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head and put a cane “scepter” in His right hand. They knelt in front of Him and shouted in mockery, “Hail, King of the Jews.” 30 They spit in His face and took the cane and hit Him on the head. 31 When they finished mocking Him, they took off the robe and put His own clothes on Him again, and led Him out to be crucified.
Simon Carries the Cross
32 As they were leaving, they found a man from Cyrene whose name was Simon. They forced him to carry His cross. 33 They came to a place that is called Golgotha (which means means “The Skull”). 34 They offered Him vinegar mixed with gall to drink. But when He tasted it, He refused to drink it. 35 When they crucified Him, they divided His clothing by casting lots [A]. 36 They sat down and watched Him there. 37 They placed over His head a written accusation against Him that said, “THIS IS YESHUA, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 38 Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right and the other on His left. 39 Those who passed by insulted Him, shaking their heads, 40 and said, “You who would destroy of the Temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself. If you are Yehovah’s Son, come down from the cross.”
41 The high priests were also mocking Him, along with the Torah teachers and elders and Pharisees. 42 They said, “He saved the lives of others but He can’t save His own life. If He is the King of Israel, He should come down from the cross and we’ll believe in Him [B]. 43 He trusts in Yehovah, so He should rescue Him now if He wants Him, because He said, ‘I’m Yehovah’s Son.’” 44 Even the marauders who were being crucified with Him insulted Him.
Yeshua Dies
45 From the sixth hour [noon] until the ninth hour [3:00] there was darkness over the entire land. 46 About the ninth hour, Yeshua called out in a loud voice, “Aloha, Aloha, why have you spared Me [2] [3]?” 47 Some of the people standing there heard this and said, “He is calling for Elijah”.
48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge and filled it with vinegar. Then he put it on a reed and gave it to Him to drink. 49 But the rest said, “Wait, let’s see if Elijah comes to rescue Him.”
50 Then Yeshua shouted out again in a loud voice and gave up His spirit. 51 Suddenly the curtain of the door of the Temple was torn in half from top to bottom, the earth shook and rocks split. 52 Graves were opened and the bodies of many 'special ones' [saints] who were sleeping in death arose. 53 After His resurrection they entered into the distinguished city and appeared to many.
54 When the centurion and those who were with Him guarding Yeshua saw the earthquake and the things that happened, they were terrified and said, “Surely this was Yehovah’s Son!”
55 Many women were there watching from a distance, the same ones who had followed Yeshua from Galilee and had supported Him. 56 One of them was Mary from Magdala, also Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
Yeshua Buried at Twilight
57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea arrived, who was also a disciple of Yeshua. 58 This man went to Pilate and begged for Yeshua’s body. Pilate ordered that the body be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long cloth of pure linen, 60 and laid it in his new tomb that was hewn out in the rock. He rolled a huge stone against the door of the tomb and left. 6l Mary from Magdala and the other Mary were there, sitting over against the sepulcher.
Pilate Posts Guards on the First Day
62 The next day, the day after the Day of Preparation [4], the high priests and Pharisees gathered before Pilate, 63 and told him, “Master, we remember that this impostor said while He was alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 So give orders for the tomb to be guarded until the third day, because His disciples might come and steal Him away at night and tell the people that He has risen from the dead. The last delusion would be worse than the first.”
65 Pilate told them, “You have soldiers. Go and guard it as securely as you know how.” 66 So they went to secure the tomb. They sealed the stone and posted guards.
[1] This should say “the prophet”, instead of the Greek’s “the prophet Jeremiah”, since it is clearly a reference to Zechariah 11:12-13. Jeremiah 19:1 mentions a “potters vessel”, but not at all in the same context. Jeremiah 32:9 mentions someone buying a field in Anathoth for “seventeen shekels of silver”, but again the context isn’t remotely related to Judas’ betrayal, convoluted rationalizations aside.
[2] Yeshua was paraphrasing Psalm 22, as explained off site: Did God Really Forsake Jesus Christ on the Cross?
[3] Greek translations of the Aramaic left this statement in the Aramaic, “Eli, Eli, lemana shabakthani?” English transliterated spellings vary widely.
[4] Preparation Day (v.62) is always associated with Passover.
[A] “According to some of the Greek copies, there is added, this, ‘that so might be fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet David, they distributed My garments among them, and on My vesture they cast the lot.’” This addition isn’t found in four of the most ancient editions of the Aramaic Testimony, and it was put in the margin of the more modern editions. It was doubtless a modern addition to the Aramaic Testimony, borrowed from the Greek Translator.
[B] In some editions, “so that we can see and believe in Him.”
Yeshua is Missing!
2 Then there was a powerful earthquake, because a Messenger of Yehovah had come down from Heaven and came and rolled the stone away from the door and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning and His clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken that they became like dead men.
5 The spirit messenger said to the women, “Don’t be afraid! I know that you are looking for Yeshua who was crucified. 6 He’s not here because He has risen, just as He predicted. Come and see the place where our Master was lying. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead. He’s on His way to Galilee right now. You’ll see Him there as I told you!”
8 They left the tomb quickly in fear and great joy and ran to tell His disciples. 9 Yeshua met them and said, “Peace”. Then they came and held His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Yeshua told them, “Don’t be afraid! Go and tell My Friends to go to Galilee and they’ll see Me there.”
The Soldiers Bribed
11 While they were going, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the high priests everything that had happened. 12 They met with the elders and they decided to bribe the guards with a considerable sum of money, 13 and told them to say, “His disciples came and stole Him away during the night while we were asleep.” 14 If this is reported to the governor, we’ll persuade him not to cause you any trouble. 15 After they were paid they did what they were told. This story is still being spread among the Jews to this very day.
16 The eleven disciples went into Galilee to the mountain where Yeshua had arranged for them to meet. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, tho some had doubts. 18 Yeshua came near during the conversation and said, “All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth. 19 So go and make disciples in every nation IN MY NAME [2]. 20 Teach them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you, knowing that I’ll be with you always, right up until the very end of the age. Aw-main.”
[1] This would include the weekly Sabbath and the First Day of Unleavened Bread. [2] Constantine decreed that the trinitarian words, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit” be substituted for “in My name”. This affected later Aramaic, Greek, Latin and Hebrew texts, as well as a huge number of early witnesses also omitting “immersing them”—.
Completion of the Good News as published by Matthew. Also published in Hebrew in the land of Israel.
MARK 1 is next.
Compare the Testimony of Yeshua Version of this book with the 1851 Murdock or the 1849 Etheridge Versions of “The Testimony of Yeshua” (New Testament).
