English Bible Lesson 9: Last Supper (Mark 14)

The Last Supper, ca. 1520, by Giovanni Pietro Rizzoli, called Giampietrino (active 1508–1549), after Leonardo da Vinci, Oil on canvas, in the collection of The Royal Academy of Arts, London; full-scale copy that was the main source for the twenty-year restoration of the original (1978-1998).

听力预习

请预听和跟读马可福音第14章，侧重听Mark 14：12-52（Last Supper/最后的晚餐)  (similar in Matthew 26, Luke 22 and John 13)
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/mark.14

无法打开网页需翻录的音频，请用翻录的音频。听了几遍后，可以查看中英文对照原文

大家反复听后，仔细想想或独自写一下你对下面的预习题的想法：
1) 你知道这章书有关的成语吗？/Do you know any idioms/expressions from this chapter?
2）划出自己不懂的单词和不明白的句子/Identify new words and sentences that you don't understand
3）Read along practice 跟读练习和分享（在群里和/或网络直播时）
4) 这幅画和经文的最后晚餐有什么不一样？油画中哪位是犹大？

背景
福音書的作者都是隱名的，但從早期的教會歷史資料，可知本書的作者是馬可。馬可是他的拉丁名字，希伯來名則叫約翰(參徒十二12)。據信他的家相當富有，樓房非常寬敞，被主選用來作和祂門徒吃逾越節筵席的場所；又在主復活升天以後，一百二十名門徒聚集在那樓房裏禱告，結果帶下五旬節(參徒一12~15；二1)。一般都稱那樓房為『馬可樓』。又有人說，客西馬尼園也是馬可家所有，主與門徒們可以常常到那裏去禱告，因此猶大知道主在吃完晚餐後，必定又是到那園裏，才會率領公會的兵丁去那裏捉拿耶穌。當主被捉拿時，那一個丟下所披的麻布，赤身逃走的少年人(參十四51~52)，大概就是馬可本人；因為別的福音書均未提到這事。

课堂笔记
马可福音14章的纲要/Outline of Chapter 14
一、最後晚餐（十四1～25）
   1.決定要殺死耶穌（十四1～2）
   2.在伯大尼(Bethany)受膏（十四3～9）
   3.被猶大出賣（十四10～11）
   4.樓房的主人（十四12～16）
   5.被賣的預言（十四17～21）
   6.主的晚餐（十四22～25）
二、在客西馬尼的傷痛（十四26～42）
   1.往客西馬尼的路（十四26～31）
   2.園中的傷痛（十四32～42）
三、耶穌被捉拿（十四43～52）
四、彼得跌倒（十四53～72）

听和跟读/Listen and read along
注：下面的红字为难读或易读错的词语
The Last Supper
12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread（除酵节）, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining（斜倚） at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”
19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”

20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

24 “This is my blood of the[c] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

27 “You will all fall away（离弃）,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,

    and the sheep will be scattered.’[d]

28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice[e] you yourself will disown me three times.”

31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

Gethsemane

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[f] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus Arrested

43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.

51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

Learn some new words and phrases 生词和短语的学习
fall away: withdraw from Jesus' company
insisted emphatically: strongly
diown: formally end your connection with someone / deny
Keep watch: observe with continuous attention
cup: Jesus’ suffering / sacrifice
their eyes were heavy:  you are tired so you can barely keep your eyes open
the hour has come: time
armed with swords and clubs:带着刀棒
under guard: keep under close watch in order to prevent escape


Literary device/文学手段
27 You will all fall away, Jesus told them, for it is written:
'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.‘ ( an idiom using Metaphor)
36 Abba, Father, he said, everything is possible for you. Take this cup（比喻） from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will（对比）.
The spirit is willing, but the body is weak：（对比）.

阅读/听力理解/讨论
What did Jesus do with the bread before the disciples ate it? （14：22）
What part of Jesus did the cup signify at the last Supper? （14：23）
Jesus predicted Peter would disown him. How many times would Peter disown him? When would this happen? （14：30）
How many times did Jesus find his disciples asleep? （14：31）
Was Jesus disappointed when he returned from Gethsemane to find his disciples asleep? (14:37-42)

Who were those people with Judas when he betrayed Jesus? （14：43)
What signal did Judas give to identify Jesus as the man to be arrested? (14:44)
What would you do in the following scene if you were one of the disciples? 
46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.

Idioms成语（马可福音中的成语）

A camel go through the eye of a needle 骆驼穿过针的眼（马可福音10：25）在表面看来，骆驼是不可能从骆驼里钻出来的。有一个富人问耶稣他应该怎样做才能得到永生。耶稣看着他，就爱他，要求他卖掉他所有的财产后跟随他。这个人看着就变了脸色，走开了。因为富人要进神的国就如骆驼要穿过针的眼一样难。耶稣这样对他的门徒们说。 但这不是就说富人就不能进神的国。其实钱本身不是问题，是富人对钱的爱多过对神的爱，这才是对富人的挑战。

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak心有余而力不足。（马可福音 14：38）当我们说一个人精力不足无法完成工作时，我们就用The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak这句话来表示。

Kiss of Judas, Judas's betrayal of Jesus with a kiss identifying him to his executioners.If you say that a particular event is the kiss of death for something, you mean that it is certain to make them fail or be a disaster.
e.g.Trying to please an audience is the kiss of death for an artist.
e.g. A political scandal is a kiss of death to politicians.
e.g. Your attitude was the kiss of death for your employment here.

Last supper 最后的晚餐, 最后的晚餐是耶稣在临死前和他的门徒最后的一顿饭。在晚餐时，耶稣祝福了面包和葡萄汁，让它们分别代表他的身体和血。自从他死后，这种仪式一直保存到今天，对此各个教派也有不同的称呼。如早期教会称为“Eucharist”(圣餐)，新教教会称为“Holy Communion”(圣餐)，而罗马天主教会则称为“Mass”（弥撒）。仪式的目的是为了纪念耶稣的死，同时也为了加强基督教徒间的凝聚力。 《最后的晚餐》是意大利画家里昂那多.达文西Leonardo Da Vinci的杰作。这幅壁画创作于1495-1498,現存放於圣玛丽教堂，教堂坐落在今天位于米兰的Santa Maria delle Grazie 。今天世界各地的人都不辞千里涌向这个世界文化遗产遗址瞻仰这幅名作。
e.g. The owner of a house on a Scarborough cliff edge has hosted a special dinner as a farewell gesture to the property which is at risk of falling off the cliff as it crumbles. Owner Kane Cunningham invited twelve guests to the bungalow's "last supper "to highlight the perils of climate change.(http://ne ws.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8578583.stm)

疑难讨论（课后补充）from Bible query
Q: In Mk 14:27 (KJV), how would the disciples be offended at Jesus because Jesus did not defend Himself? 
A: Their faith would be crushed when Jesus, with all His power, voluntarily submitted to capture, mistreatment, and death. A powerful Messiah would be expected to defend Himself and defeat the Romans, not to surrender to them.
Q: In Mk 14:42-52, does this depict a Jesus who was at their mercy in contrast to the other Gospels depicting Jesus as in charge, as some liberals say?
A: That is an over-simplification. Since early times, Christians have recognized that Matthew stressed Jesus as the Promised King, who fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies. Mark emphasized Jesus as the suffering servant and Jesus’ actions. Luke emphasized Jesus as a man, and Luke wrote most on Jesus’ childhood. John emphasized Jesus as God, and was probably written assuming the read had read the other gospels.
Q: In Mk 14:51-52, who was that "un-masked man", who fled away without his clothes? 
A: While Scripture does not say, tradition says it was John Mark, the writer of the Gospel of Mark. The skeptical Asimov’s Guide to the Bible p.905 also says the same, adding the speculation that "that the evangelist could not resist mentioning his presence at a key point in the story of Jesus." 

References:
Phrase:https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/bible-phrases-sayings.html
疑难： http://www.biblequery.org/mk.html
课程内容教学计划：http://www.selbl.org/

English Bible Lesson 8: Prodigal Son (Luk e15：11-32)

听力预习

请预听和跟读路加福音第15章，侧重听15：11-32（浪子回头的故事/Prodigal Son)
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/luke.15

无法打开网页需翻录的音频，请用翻录的音频。听了几遍后，可以查看中英文对照原文

大家反复听后，仔细想想或独自写一下你对下面的预习题的想法：
1) 你知道这章书有关的成语吗？/Do you know any idioms/expressions from this chapter?
2）划出自己不懂的单词和不明白的句子/Identify new words and sentences that you don't understand
3）What are the 5W( who, where, when, what, why) of the story?
4）Read along practice 跟读练习和分享（在群里和/或网络直播时）
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ (Luke 15:21)
Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.  (Luke 15:22-24)
You are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.  (Luke 15:31-32)
5) 思考以下问题：
- In Lk 15, what do the three parables have in common?

- In Lk 15:20-24, why did the father take back the prodigal son, and should he have done so? 

- In Lk 15:25,29-30, did the elder brother have a valid point?
6）换位思考：如果你是故事中的父亲/大儿子/小儿子， 你会如何？

课堂笔记
路加福音15章的纲要/Outline of Chapter 15
What prompted Jesus to tell the three parables(15:1-2)
Lost sheep (a shepherd's story) (15:3-6)
Jesus explained (15:7)
Lost money (a woman’s story) (15:8-9)
Jesus explained (15:10)
Lost son/Prodigal Son (15:11-32)

听和跟读/Listen and read along
注：下面的红字为难读或易读错的词语
The Parable of the Lost Son （1’21）
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate*.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Learn some new words and phrases 生词和短语的学习

share of estate: my part of all the money and property; 

squandered: wasted; wild living: Live a life in a very uncontrolled way;

Hire himself out: to give the use of his services for payment

Lost and found

Everything I have is yours:Becomes a famous quote in songs and movies

Fill in the blanks by using the words and phrases just learnt填空题:

Don’t squander food. Buy just what you will eat.

 I long to listen to the live concert of Lady Gaga.

The U.S. soldiers backed home safe and sound from Iraq.

When he came to his sense, he realized that he had been sleeping on the street.

 Do you know why more teenagers hire themselves out as teen models?

阅读理解/Reading comprehension

Look for the answers from Chapter 15

1.How did the younger son earn a living after spending his money?(15:15)

2. How did he come to his senses and decided to return home? ?(15:16)

3. How did his father react when he saw the son from a distance? (15:20)

4. Why was his elder brother angry and refused to celebrate his brother’s return? (15:29:30)

Literary device/文学手段
v 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no-one gave him
anything. 【metaphor and exaggeration】
v 17 When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!【contrast exaggeration】
v30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes
comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!‘ 【contrast】
v32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is
alive again; he was lost and is found.'【metaphor，contrast】

Idioms成语（路加福音中的成语）

New wine in old bottles新酒旧瓶（路加福音5：36-37）现在，我们把这句话说成”旧酒新瓶”，意思是换汤不换药，把本已有的事情重新包装成新的东西

Golden rule金科玉律 （利未记19:18,马太福音 7:12，路加福音6:31）金科玉律是指最重要和基本的定律。在《圣经》中，它是指“爱人如己”原则。 在其他学派也有很多类似的说法。例如，孔夫子曾说过：“己所不欲，勿施于人”，就被大家认为是所有行为的首要原则。

Carry his cross 背起十架(路加福音 9:23)如果有人要”carry his cross”，即是说他们需要面对很重大的责任或困难。

Puts his hand to the plough and looks back手扶着犁向后看 (路加福音9:62) 当人们犁地的时候，需要眼看前方，不能向后看。否则，犁沟就会弯曲。耶稣用这种隐喻来形容那些对跟随基督犹豫不决的人。那些对他的呼召没有立刻回应的人不配侍奉神。

Good Samaritan好撒玛利亚人／乐善好施的人(路加福音10:30-35)好撒玛利亚人是指那些向有需要的人提供帮助的人。

Prodigal son 浪子回头(路加福音 15:11) A prodigal son是指一个浪子，在无节制的生活方式中挥霍了大量钱财。The return of a prodigal son指一个浪子回头，回归到一个更好的生活方式。E.g. "Henry has already said that what he has done in the past has left him lifelong regrets. I think 'the return of the prodigal son' is most important,“ said Lisa Kuo Yu-chin 
[A Real-Life Prodigal Son –John Newton (1779)]

 思考/讨论以下问题：
- In Lk 15, what do the three parables have in common?
- In Lk 15:20-24, why did the father take back the prodigal son, and should he have done so?
- In Lk 15:25,29-30, did the elder brother have a valid point?
- 换位思考：如果你是故事中的父亲/大儿子/小儿子， 你会如何？

下面的不是标准答案，只是从Bible Query摘录下来供参考
Q: In Lk 15, what do the three parables have in common? 
A: All three parables have to do with lostness and the joy of being found. The parable of the 99 + 1 lost sheep shows God searches out the lost. The parable of the 9 + 1 lost coin shows that God rejoices over finding the lost. The parable of the prodigal son shows that God forgives and accepts back the lost and wayward. Of course, as we seek the heart of God, we want our love and attitude towards others to reflect God’s love and attitude, too.
Throughout Luke 15 God wants us to have a heart for the lost like He does. In Luke 16 God wants us to have a mind for the lost.

Q: In Lk 15:20-24, why did the father take back the prodigal son, and should he have done so? 

A: The father took back the prodigal son simply because he loved him. The son did the father wrong and showed him disrespect, but the father freely forgave his son who returned. 

The father was under no obligation to take the son back, so nothing says he "should" have done so. However, the father was in his rights to be generous, and he graciously took back his son. 

Q: In Lk 15:25,29-30, did the elder brother have a valid point? 

A: A person’s answer depends on if money and treasure are thought more important than people. The older brother gained back a brother, which he apparently did not value as much as one more fattened calf. The brother’s concern about fairness, down to one fattened calf, betrayed a lack of love. 

It has been said that some people use things and love people, while others love things and use people. When a genuine Christian even begins to love things more than people, then their perspective is far from what God wants it to be. Things can include material possessions, knowledge, rituals, and even religion. The only thing that we are told to love more than people is God. See Hard Sayings of the Bible p.476-477 for more info. 

歌曲欣赏
Amazing Grace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsCp5LG_zNE

Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
T'was blind but now I see

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace, my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come.
T'was grace that brought us safe thus far
And grace will lead us home,
And grace will lead us home

Amazing grace, Howe Sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
T'was blind but now I see

Was blind, but now I see.

参考：
疑难： http://www.biblequery.org/mt.html
课程内容教学计划：http://www.selbl.org/

Bible English Lesson 7 Right Living (Matthew 5：38-6:15)

听力预习

请预听和跟读马太福音第5章和第6章，侧重听5：38-6:15：

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/Matt.5 （from 5'30)
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/Matt.6 (end 2'02)

无法打开网页需翻录的音频，请用翻录的音频。听了几遍后，可以查看中英文对照原文：http://www.holybible.or.kr/BIBLE_cgb/cgi/bibleftxt.php?VR=0&VL=40&CN=5&CV=1

大家听一遍，仔细想想或独自写一下你对下面的预习题的想法：
1) 你知道这章书有关的成语吗？
2）划出自己不懂的单词和不明白的句子
3) Jesus asked the believers to “turn the other cheek” when someone hits them. Do you think this is reasonable in real life? Could Jesus do it himself? Can you think of any example in the Bible?

历史背景 - 新约的编写年代

引言

基督教中的几个重要节日
Christmas圣诞节-The Birth of Jesus耶稣诞生

"A.D." stands for anno domini, Latin for “in the year of the lord,” and refers specifically to the birth of Jesus Christ. "B.C." stands for "before Christ.“

In the modern calendar, we label all years with B.C. (before Christ) or A.D. (anno domini, or "in the year of our lord"). ... Besides B.C. and A.D., some people use B.C.E. (for "before common era") and C.E. (for "common era").

The Crucifixion被钉十字架/受难节

Jesus suffered and died on the cross

Easter: His Resurrection复活节

An empty tomb -- 》He has risen from the dead

 经文跟读：马太福音第五章（MATTHEW 5)
Eye for Eye 以眼还眼/论报复（Luke 6:29-30)
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[*] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek,  turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies 论爱仇敌 （路6:27-28;32-36)
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[**] and hate your enemy.’44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans/gentile外邦人 do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

第六章

Giving to the Needy 论施舍

1“Be careful not to practice your righteousness善事 in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets吹号, as the hypocrites假冒为善 do in the synagogues会堂 and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer论祷告

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,我们在天上的父

Hallowed（圣） be your name,愿人都尊你的名为圣

10 your kingdom come,愿你的国降临

your will be done,愿你的旨意行在地上

    on earth as it is in heaven.如同行在天上

11 Give us today our daily bread.我们日用的饮食，今日赐给我们

12 And forgive us our debts,免我们的债，

    as we also have forgiven our debtors.如同我们免了人的债

13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]不叫我们遇见试探

    but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’救我们脱离凶恶

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin/ trespasses against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

生词words
temptation试探/诱惑 (6:13) = If you feel sth you want to do or want to have even when you know that it is sth that you should avoid, you refer to this feeling as temptation

e.g. The temptation of Adam and Eve to disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit.
e.g. Young people are warned against falling into the temptations of some money lenders to get quick cash at a low rate for they may end up with a heavy debt.

persecute 逼迫/迫害(5:44) = treat sb. unfairly or cruelly often because of their race or beliefs

synagogue 会堂 (6:2) = a building where Jewish people meet to worship or to study their religion

Hypocrite假冒为善/虚伪 / 伪君子(6:5) = a person pretends to have the qualities, beliefs, or feelings that they don’t really have

What did Jesus say about the hypocrites?

Their inner qualities? Beliefs? Feelings? In contrast to their behaviour?

What did the hypocrites do when they pray?

Idioms/idiomatic expressions成语/谚语

Phrasal verbs (verbal idioms) - informal English

Idioms – a colourful and fascinating aspect of English, commonly used in informal and formal, spoken and written English

turn a blind eye to sth. 对...视而不见= try not to notice or see

the top dog = the most important and powerful person in a group

“look daggers at someone” has greater emphasis than “look angrily at someone”

5:39To deal with unreasonable or unfair physical treatment

= to overcome evil with good (do not fight back on your own)

Turn the other cheek置之不理

39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also只是我告诉你们，不要与恶人作对。有人打你的右脸，连左脸也转过来由他打。[不要以恶报恶】

An eye for an eye以眼还眼

5:38你们听见有话说，以眼还眼，以牙还牙。

A demand for justice in the law

Background

- Exodus 21:23-24  “But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”以眼还眼，以牙还牙，以手还手，以脚还脚，以烙还烙，以伤还伤，以打还打。

Take your tunic … give him your cloak 拿你的里衣，连外衣也由他拿去

background : the believer was sued (was brought to court, and was accused of wrongdoing)

The accuser took his tunic (undergarment)

The believer should let him have his cloak (overcoat) as well [v 40]

In our society,  “give the shirt off your back”= to give as much help or resources as possible

In fundraising events, 

e.g. The Headline News:

Put On A Mask, Give the Shirt Off  Your Back!

 (source: Breast Health International 2008 Fundraising party)

Go … two miles 同..走二里

有人强逼你走一里路，你就同他走二里。

Today, we use: “go the extra mile 加倍努力” as an idiom 

= do more than necessary (Go to 2.1, p.46 to look at an example)

Send(s) rain on the righteous and the unrighteous降雨给义人，也给不义的人

In the passage, note the structure of the verse “and” 

Originally, both sun and rain are blessings

But, later, rain --》 misfortune, bad things

Meaning today: “rain falls on the good and the bad (alike)”= everyone has equal chance to face everyday problems

The tsunami in Japan killed over 19,000 people. Rain falls on the good and the bad.

Use “911 attack in New York” to make a sentence with the idiom 

Or other events such as SARS up to 2009 in HK = 300 people died

SARS=Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

讨论

1.Jesus asked the believers to “turn the other cheek” when someone hits them. 

Do you think this is reasonable in real life?

Could Jesus do it himself? Can you think of any example in the Bible?

2. Give an example where you did love your enemy.

3. In today’s scripture, you probably have noticed how Jesus addressed God among the believers. What did he call him? Do you believe there is heaven? And is this important to the believer?

Q: In Mt 5:39-40, how are Christians supposed to turn the other cheek? 

A: Christians are not to live naturally but supernaturally. We are to allow ourselves to be vulnerable (but not foolishly trusting evildoers), recognizing that we can trust God to watch over us and our family. See Now That’s a Good Question p.522-524 for more info. 

Q: In Mt 6:1-4, are we to do good works in secret, or let our light shine before men as Mt 5:16 says? 

A: Both. We should be diligent in doing good works. However, it should not be our own works, but rather Jesus, the one who lives in us, that others see when they see us. We are to be reflectors of Christ. Our light should shine, not us. 

It is a privilege that God chose us to give glory by working through us. See Bible Difficulties and Seeming Contradictions p.233-234 for more info. 

Q: In Mt 6:1-4, in giving to God, how are Christians not to let their right hand know what their left hand is doing? 

A: Just as we are not to make a big deal about our good works toward others, we are not to make a big deal about it before God. Do not break your arm by patting yourself on the back too hard either. ;-) Do not think of how you are doing God a favor. Do not mistakenly thing that you are enriching God, who owns everything anyway, or how fortunate God is to have saved you. We are saved not because of any merit of ours, but because God saw how helpless we were, and in His grace loved us anyway. See Now That’s a Good Question p.581-582 for a different but complementary answer. 

Q: In Mt 6:5-7, Jesus is condemning all public prayer? 

A: No, this verse does not say that. Rather He is condemning prayers that are just for show. As a matter of fact, Jesus prayed publicly in John 11:41-42. 

In the Old Testament Solomon prayed a very public prayer in 1 Kings 8:22. Jesus is not against public prayer, but against "ostentatious" prayer, i.e. prayer in order to be seen in public. See When Critics Ask p.333-334 for more info. 

Matthew Gospel Idioms 马太福音中的成语/谚语
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth 以眼还眼，以牙还牙（出埃及记21：24-25，马太福音5：38）
iota（马太福音 5:18)Iota 是希腊文的24个字母中最小的一个，就像yodh是希伯来语字母中最小的一个。当耶稣在八福山上向信徒说，神的法律中，即使最小的字母都必须遵從，时光流逝也永久不变.
Go the extra mile多走一里路 （马太福音5：41）在如今的商业广告中，“多走一里路”已经成为我们熟知的用语，广告商们借此向顾客做出改善服务的承诺。实际上，这个短语取自圣经，“有人强逼你走一里路，你就同他走两里。if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.”（马太福音5:41）。它体现一种牺牲精神，教导人们去爱自己的敌人，如果他们逼你退一步，你就应该退两步。 不过，这句经文的“牺牲精神”如今被淡化了。在商业用语里，它时常被用来描述如何去更好的服务客户。同样出自马太福音的还有另一则短语—“turn the other cheek(转过另一边脸)”，其包含的牺牲精神仍被保留至今。
Daily bread 日用饮食（马太6：9-13）面包是一个隐喻，在圣经中代表一切供應。“Daily bread”是指日常所需，包括身体和精神上的。
No man can serve two masters 一仆不能事二主（马太福音 6:24）。一仆不能事二主，这里耶稣指的主分别是上帝和玛门（古希伯来人对“财利”的称谓）。耶稣曾警示信徒们，每个人同一时间只能忠于一个个体或组织，如果选择效忠财利，那么必定违背上帝的旨意。 现今这句话常被用在发生利益冲突的时候。举个例子，如果某公司官员同时为若干不同的机构效力，那么他能否真正地忠于一个组织就很令人怀疑。
Do not judge, or you too will be judged (Matthew 7:1) 你们不要论断人，免得你们被论断（马太福音7:1）这句话源自《圣经》马太福音中的“登山宝训”，耶稣训勉信徒们不要对他人妄加评论，要不然他们自己也会得到同样的评论和对待。
Mote in the eyes眼内有尘 （马太福音 7：3）这句话出自圣经著名的“上山宝训”，耶稣教导人们，不要总是太关注别人的错误，而忽视了自己的过失。每当我们看到别人眼里的沙子，会很容易去放大他的缺点，却很难意识到自己可能也存在同样的不足。
Golden rule金科玉律 （利未记19:18,马太福音 7:12，路加福音6:31）金科玉律是指最重要和基本的定律。在《圣经》中，它是指“爱人如己”原则。 在其他学派也有很多类似的说法。例如，孔夫子曾说过：“己所不欲，勿施于人”，就被大家认为是所有行为的首要原则。
Wolf in sheep’s clothing　披着羊皮的狼（馬太福音7:15）人們常用這习语來比喻虛情假意背後的潛在危機。
By the fruits you will know them 从它结的果你可以认出它（马太7：20）这个谚语是指一个人的坏念头很容易从他或她的舉止中看出来。
A prophet is not respected in his own country　先知在自己乡下是不受尊重的（马太13；53）
Salt of the earth 社会栋梁 (马太福音5：13) (English Version)这个短语来自耶稣的「登山宝训」。盐在圣经中有其特殊的意义。它是一种添味的佐料，能调和食物的口感，故圣经用「盐」来比喻和谐。耶稣说：「盐本是好的，若失了味，可用什么叫它再咸呢？你们里头应当有盐，彼此和睦。」（马克福音9：50） 自从圣经翻译家威克里夫的英译本里出现了「salt of the earth」之后，这个短语便植入西方文学中。《坎特伯利故事集》的作者George Chaucer和George Bernard Shaw都在他们的文学作品里引用了这个习语。滚石乐队用一首名为「salt of the earth」的歌颂扬平民英雄。
Separate the sheep from the goats分清好人与坏人（马太福音 25：32）上帝将人比作一群绵羊。另一方面，山羊在圣经中代表不接受基督的人。如果你separate the sheep from the goats，就说明你把基督徒从不信的人中分别出来。另一个说法是分清了好人与坏人。
Shake the dust off one's feet 把脚上的尘土跺下去（马太 10：14）/ 使徒行传13:50-51shaking dust from one’s feet这种动作表示了你非常希望离开一些不满意的境况。这样的表述在圣经里出现了两次。在马太福音里，耶稣告诉他的门徒如果那个镇的人不欢迎他们传教，他们就把脚上的尘土跺下去。这种行为是表示他们要与那些拒绝神的话的人分开。“shaking dust from one’s feet”亦记载于使徒行传。当时保罗和巴拿巴在安提阿向外邦人传道，这些人很高兴地接纳了神的话，但他们俩却被犹太人驱逐出境。所以保罗和巴拿巴在他们面前跺下脚上的尘土以示抗议。
Turn the other cheek以德报怨（马太福音 5：38-39）耶稣在登山宝训中对众人说：「你们听见有话说，以眼还眼，以牙还牙。只是我告诉你们，不要与恶人作对。有人打你的右脸，连左脸也转过来由他打。」（马太福音 5：38-39） 当有人冒犯你时，你却把另一边脸也转过去让他打。耶稣劝众人不要对冒犯我们的人作出报复，因为报复指会惹来更多更多积怨，更大伤害，冤冤相报何时了。能够turn the other cheek的人，就能宽恕人。

歌曲欣赏

主祷文：https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXHYx06psEs（中文版）

Lord's Prayer English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUkAzyDRL5E

参考：
疑难： http://www.biblequery.org/mt.html
课程内容教学计划：http://www.selbl.org/