Jesus’ use of occasion
Very often, Jesus’ words and actions were prompted by some particular situation, need, problem, or question.
Here are some examples:
| Occasion | Use |
| Finding the traders in the Temple | Cleansing the Temple |
| Nicodemus came to him | Teaching the birth from above |
| A woman of Samaria came | Transforming a life |
| The leper came to him | Cleansing physical life |
| The bringing of the palsied man | Spiritual and physical healing |
| He saw a man lying at the pool of Bethesda | Physical healing |
| Complaint about plucking ears of corn on the Sabbath | Teaching the true relation of man and the Sabbath |
| “Seeing the multitudes” | The Sermon on the Mount |
| The coming of John’s messengers | A message to John and a eulogy of John |
| Eating with Simon the Pharisee | Parable of the two debtors |
| The charge: “He is possessed by Beelzebub” | Teaching concerning the unpardonable sin |
| The coming of his mother and brethren | Teaching the supremacy of spiritual relationship |
| The disciples’ question, “Why speak in parables?” | Teaching concerning the mysteries of the kingdom |
| The disciples request an explanation of the parable of the tares | Teaching concerning the sons of evil |
| “Why does your master with tax collectors?” | Teaching concerning the whole and the sick |